Warriors Blank Broncos; Lead GPAC Standings
FREMONT, N.E. – The No. 17 Midland University women's soccer team extended its winning-streak to eight games with a 2-0 statement win over No. 12 Hastings College on Wednesday night at Heedum Field.
The win lifts the Warriors to 11-2-1 overall with an 8-1 Great Plains Athletic Conference record while the Broncos dip to 11-3 on the year and 7-2 in conference action. Midland has now moved into first place in the conference standings with three regular-season games remaining.
"It was a great team effort tonight and our back line was dominant all game," commented head coach Greg Jarosik. "The crowd played a big factor for the ladies and the support was greatly appreciated. Nayeli was dangerous on the attack all night for us."
Junior goalkeeper Rachel Thigpen continued her hot-streak between the posts, collecting six saves to earn her eighth shutout of the year. Defensively, the Warriors have gone 450:22 minutes without allowing a goal and are outshooting the opposition 90-23 in that stretch.
The game was even early as both teams were feeling each other out. The Broncos had two corner kicks but neither could make it past the Warriors defense or result in a shot. Senior Nayeli Rodriguez would make her presence known in the 19th minute as she scored her 12th goal of the season. Elena 'PT' Perez was credited with the assist as Rodriguez managed to work around multiple Hastings defenders to put her team up 1-0. The Broncos would fire their first shot of the evening in the 25th minute but Thigpen was in position to collect the attempt. Each team would have chances down the stretch, but stingy defense kept the score close at 1-0 heading into the break.
The second half opened with more highlight defensive plays from the Warriors backline as Thigpen faced just one shot-on-goal in the opening portion of the half. Fouls began to plague both teams down the stretch as it was difficult to maintain good field position. Hastings connected on a shot in the 75th minute but Thigpen proved to be solid between the pipes as the collected the attempt. A throw in from Melissa Warned found the head of Bailey Locano who sent the no-look header clear past the Broncos goalkeeper to give Midland the 2-0 advantage.
The crowd at Heedum Field could sense an upset on the verge of being completed and added to the home advantage for the Warriors. Hastings scrambled late in the half, but it would not be enough as Midland would run away with the 2-0 victory. The teams each had nine shots on the night with six shots on goal apiece.
Midland (11-2-1, 8-1 GPAC) will remain home for a GPAC matchup with Northwestern (9-5-1, 6-3 GPAC) on Saturday, October 26 with kickoff slated for 1 p.m. Midland with honor this year's senior class prior to the match.