BLUEFIELD, Va. – Dean Johnson's second successful penalty kick of the night, which came in the 82^nd minute, lifted the Bluefield College men's soccer team to a 3-2 win over Appalachian Athletic Conference foe Milligan College, Saturday evening at the East River Soccer Complex.
 
Bluefield moves to 7-3 on the season with the victory and 5-2 in its AAC matches, while also remaining unbeaten at 5-0 at home. Milligan's season mark moves to 3-5-2 and 1-3 in conference play.
 
The Rams wasted no time in lighting up the scoreboard, as Benjy Slator scored a goal just 12 seconds into play after a misplayed ball from a Buffaloes defender.
 
But, the visitors answered swiftly, striking back in the third minute of play, as Bruce Olivier found the back of the net on a corner kick from Lewis Grant.
 
In the 15^th minute, Milligan was called for a foul in the box. Johnson easily struck the penalty kick past Milligan Keeper Dan Ball for the 2-1 advantage.
 
At the end of the first half, Milligan held a 9-6 edge in shots, with several attempts coming from long range. Jefferson Watson had four saves over the opening 45 minutes, holding BC's lead to 2-1.
 
Shortly into the second half, Andre Ottoni squared the match at 1-1 as he made a strong cut move inside the box and was able to find the back of the net in the 58^th minute.
 
Both teams faced opportunities to break the tie, but the next score wouldn't come until the 82^nd minute, as Johnson once again converted a penalty kick after Slator was fouled deep in the box.
 
Bluefield maintained its lead to close out the match and take the 3-2 win.
 
The Buffaloes closed the night with a 15-9 advantage in shots, with shots on goal favoring the visitors as well, 9-4.
 
Watson closed the game with seven saves for the Rams, while Ball logged just one for the evening.
 
Milligan had six corner opportunities on the night, to just one for the Rams. Bluefield had 11 fouls to six for the Buffaloes.
 
Bluefield hits the road again on Monday for a matchup at Ohio Valley University, a game recently added to the schedule. The kickoff in Vienna, W. Va., is slated for 4 p.m.