Warriors Unable to Overcome Scoreless First Half

SALINA, Kan. – Kansas Wesleyan University jumped out to a 20-0 halftime lead and held on to defeat Midland University 20-6, in flag football action on Wednesday night at JRI Stadium at the Graves Family Sports Complex. KWU completed the season sweep of the Warriors in Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) play and Midland its third consecutive loss.

The Warriors were on offense first and executed a first down, however, the drive stalled and they were forced to punt. The Coyotes put together a five-play scoring drive, capped off by a 9-yard touchdown pass to Angel Roman from quarterback Chihiro Iwata. After the conversion, KWU led 7-0, with 5:46 left in the opening quarter. Like its opening drive, Midland executed a first down, but again, was forced to punt, on its second time with the ball. The Coyotes put together a drive that wrapped up the quarter and as it continued into the second quarter, they converted a fourth down, when Iwata threw a 7-yard pass to Ja'Daa Wilson for a first down at the Warriors' 15-yard line. Two plays later, she found Roman in the endzone for a 5-yard touchdown pass. The conversion failed and KWU led 13-0 with 10:47 left in the first half.

On their third possession, the Warriors executed a first down, but could not find the endzone. On a fourth down and seven at the Midland 33-yard line, Angel Ioane Kaio's pass to Myana Sigers was incomplete, and the Coyotes took over on downs. KWU put together a six-play drive. However, Midland's defense held, as an Iwata pass on fourth and goal at the Warriors' 13-yard line, fell incomplete. The Coyotes' defense stepped up on Midland's next drive. On second and six from the Warrior 14-yard line, Ioane Kaio's pass was intercepted by Angel Roman and returned for a defensive touchdown. After the conversion, Kansas Wesleyan led 20-0 with 1:52 left in the first half.

Midland executed a first down on its ensuing drive but was forced to punt. The Coyotes ran four plays on offense and the first half ended with them leading, 20-0.

To begin the third quarter, the Coyotes were on offense first. They ran four plays but were forced to punt and Midland took over the ball at their own 7-yard line. The Warriors put together its best drive of the night. After a pair of first downs, they faced a fourth and six at the KWU 26-yard line. Ioane Kaio delivered a pass to Olivia Dominguez-Millsop for a first down to the six-yard line, and two plays later, Ioane Kaio found Allaya Livingston on a two-yard touchdown pass for a touchdown. The conversion failed, and with 3:07 left in the quarter, Midland trailed 20-6.

After KWU put together a four-play drive and was forced to punt on the final play of the quarter. Midland took over the ball and began the quarter at its own 32-yard line. The Warriors could only muster six yards on the drive and turned the ball over on downs at their own 38-yard line. The Coyotes ran four plays with four incomplete passes, giving the ball right back to Midland, with 7:21 to play.

With time not on their side, the Warriors tried to put together a scoring drive to get back within striking distance. The drive went eight plays, however, a fourth and goal pass from the KWU 18-yard line, was intercepted by Nickayla Howard, in the endzone, giving the Coyotes the ball back, with 2:20 to play. KWU ran out the clock, securing the 20-6 win.

Kansas Wesleyan accumulated 286 yards of offense. Chihiro Iwata was 20-for-34 passing for 255 yards and two touchdowns. Iwata also carried the ball four times for 32 yards. Jazmine Whitfield caught six passes for 113 yards. Angel Roman had four receptions for 52 yards and a pair of touchdowns. On defense, the Coyotes' Alexa Mansur had seven tackles. Angel Roman had five stops, plus an interception return of 10 yards for a touchdown. She also recorded a pass breakup. Nickayla Howard had three tackles and an interception return of nine yards, plus two pass breakups. Ansdiane Rabano had two tackles, both for loss, one of which was a sack.

The Warriors could only put together 140 yards of offense. Angel Ioane Kaio was 23-for-41 passing for 147 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Midland struggled running the ball, as Cydnee Redd was the leading rusher, carrying the ball one time for two yards. Alyssa Butler led the team in receiving, with five catches for 36 yards. Allaya Livingston caught four passes for 24 yards and a touchdown. On defense, Mikayla Nunez led Midland with six tackles, one for a loss.

Midland (8-5, 8-5 KCAC) will try to snap its three-game losing streak this weekend when they host Cottey (5-9, 4-9 KCAC). The game, which is the regular-season finale, is set for Saturday, April 13 at Heedum Field. Game time is slated for 1:00 p.m. in Fremont with Senior Day festivities taking place prior.