FROM STAFF REPORTS

The University of Montevallo men’s soccer team received an early season scare from Milligan College before prevailing in a 3-2 victory in overtime Sept. 3.

Montevallo outshot the Buffaloes 21-9 and had a 10-4 advantage in shots on goal.

Freshman Giuliano Frano provided the game-winner 7:47 into the first overtime period as he blasted a shot from 35 yards out to beat the keeper and give the Falcons a 3-2 victory.

Milligan got on the board first as they scored at the 31:24 mark as Nahom Tekle took a shot from 20 yards out that found the edge of the post and went in.

Montevallo, which entered the contest ranked No. 19 in the preseason National Soccer Coaches Association of America Division II poll, tied the game just five minutes later as junior Shane Howard scored off an assist from junior Stephen Beatty. The first half ended in a 1-1 tie with the Falcons holding an 8-6 advantage in shots.

Milligan scored 11 minutes into the second half to take a 2-1 lead.

With just more than nine minutes to play in regulation, freshman Alex Morton scored off an assist from Howard. Once again the half ended in a tie with Montevallo outshooting Milligan 10-3 in the second half.

It took just seven minutes for the Falcons to put the game away in overtime as Frano delivered the final blow to give Montevallo a 3-2 victory.

Sophomore Brendan Ledgeway took home the victory in goal as he made a pair of saves and played the entire 97:47.

The Falcons return to action Sept. 9 at 6:30 p.m. as they travel to Flagler College for their first Peach Belt Conference contest of the year.