NEED TO KNOW:
Score: Life U 4, Milligan 0
Records: Life U, 16-1-2; Milligan, 12-7-2
MARIETTA, Ga. — The Life University men's soccer team advanced to the Round of 16 in the NAIA National Tournament on Saturday night with a dominant win over the Buffs of Milligan. The Running Eagles offense dominated the contest while the defense held the Buffs scoreless.
It took just minutes for the Running Eagles offense to strike. A long ball out of the back from Devin Koorn found Manuel Carrillo inside the 18. The Life U midfielder swung a first-touch ball into the box to an unmarked Enrico Burigotto, who headed home the opening goal of the contest. The 4th-minute goal marks the fifth goal of the season for the junior.
Life U continued to dominate the early possession and quickly added to the lead. In the 17th minute, Kaito Nakayama doubled the Running Eagles lead. After a loose ball bounced around the 18, Carrillo laid off a pass to Nakayama, who finished the opportunity into the bottom-left corner.
Carrillo and company continued to threaten for the remainder of the half. Though Life U had multiple chances to add a third, the scoreline remainder 2-0 at the break.
After an eventful end to the first half, Milligan was forced to start the second half down a man. The Running Eagles capitalized on the man-advantage early in the second, making it 3-0. Off a Nakayama corner, Burigotto flicked on a pass to Enrico Lazzari, who slotted home the chance.
With the numbers advantage and score line advantage, Life U once again dominated the possession in the second half. The final goal of the contest came in the 83rd minute off an errant header from the Milligan back line, resulting in an own goal.
With the 4-0 victory, Life U advances to the Round of 16 in the NAIA National Tournament in Orange Beach, Ala.
Up next, Life U will advance to the Round of 16 in NAIA National Tournament in Orange Beach, Ala. The action is set to kick off on Monday, Dec. 1.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
--Life U dominated the shot category, 27-5.
--Pawel Wolny was called into action just three times, making all three saves.
--There were 29 fouls and three cards in the contest.
TURNING POINT:
--Just under four minutes into the contest, the Running Eagles claimed the lead and never looked back.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCES:
--Enrico Burigotto scored the opening goal and had an assist.
--Kaito Nakayama scored and had an assist in the contest.
--Enrico Lazzari netted a goal.
--Manuel Carrillo had a pair of assists while Devin Koorn also had an assist.
