Midland Dominates Missouri Valley in Road Win

MARSHALL, Mo. – Midland University returned to action Saturday, traveling to Marshall, Missouri, to continue Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) play against Missouri Valley College. The Warriors scored early and often, cruising to an 18-1 victory over the Vikings.

The Warriors wasted no time setting the tone, jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the first five minutes behind goals from Lawson Kopecky and Caleb Butler, both assisted by Kellan Powers, along with an unassisted strike from Memphis Dyess. Missouri Valley got on the board at the 6:55 mark with an unassisted goal from Kael Pierquet, but that would be its only score of the game. Midland responded 29 seconds later as Cameron Teem finished a feed from Butler, before Dyess added his second of the quarter off an assist from Gavin Bartling to make it 5-1 heading into the second.

Midland continued to control possession and pace in the second quarter, outshooting Missouri Valley 18-0 in the frame. Teem opened the scoring with a goal off a Lane Kallhoff assist, followed by Kopecky and Butler each finding the back of the net — both assisted by Powers — to extend the lead to 8-1 at halftime.

The Warriors broke the game wide open in the third, erupting for six goals in the period. Kopecky recorded a hat trick in the quarter, including two goals assisted by Powers and one unassisted. Butler added another goal off a Leland Thiel assist, while Thiel scored twice — once off another Powers assist and once unassisted. Midland carried a commanding 14-1 advantage into the final quarter.

Midland closed things out with four more goals in the fourth. Kopecky added two, including the final goal of the game off a Powers assist. Thiel continued his strong second half with two goals of his own — one unassisted and another assisted by Teem — sealing the 18-1 victory.

The Warriors outshot the Vikings 75-8 and held a 53-21 advantage in ground balls. Kopecky led Midland with seven goals, while Powers added seven assists. Two other Warriors recorded hat tricks: Leland Thiel finished with four goals and one assist, while Caleb Butler tallied three goals and two assists. Sean Erickson played the full game in net, stopping four of the five shots on goal he faced.

Midland (4-5, 2-3 HAAC) will continue conference play Saturday, April 11, returning home to Fremont to host Missouri Baptist (2-8, 1-3 HAAC). Opening faceoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Heedum Field.