Warriors Come Up Short on Senior Day

FREMONT, Neb. – Midland University took the field at Heedum Field for the final time this season, hosting Mount Mercy University on Senior Day in a Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC). The Warriors jumped out to an early lead but couldn't hold off a Mustang rally, falling just short in an 11-7 loss.

Chloe Harrison got the Warriors off to a fast start, scoring two goals in the first three minutes to give Midland a 2-0 lead. Mount Mercy responded, netting two goals of their own before the end of the first quarter to even the score at 2-2.

The Mustangs took control early in the second quarter, scoring just 28 seconds in. They added three more goals over the next 11 minutes to take a 6-2 lead. The Warriors fought back late in the half, scoring with 44 seconds remaining, but Mount Mercy answered quickly with a goal just 19 seconds later to take a 7-3 lead into halftime.

Midland came out strong to start the second half. Madi Marusiak scored with 9:08 left in the third quarter, and Ashley Boyd added another goal at the 7:31 mark to cut the deficit to 7-5. Mount Mercy extended its lead to three with another goal, but Marusiak kept the pressure on, scoring two more goals before the end of the quarter to bring the Warriors within one, trailing 8-7 heading into the fourth.

The final quarter belonged to the Mustangs, who shut down Midland's offense and scored the final three goals of the game to secure the 11-7 win.

Statistically, the game was evenly matched. Both teams recorded the same number of fouls, penalties, and free-position shots. Midland outshot Mount Mercy by just one and had only two more turnovers. Kyla Pires recorded 11 saves on 22 shots faced for the Warriors.

Midland (0-9, 0-8 HAAC) will wrap up its season on the road Friday with a trip to Marshall, Missouri, to face Missouri Valley (4-9, 2-6 HAAC). The final conference game of the season is scheduled for 4 p.m. at Gregg-Mitchell Field.