Courtesy of Midland Athletics
FREMONT, Neb. – Midland University’s stepped between the lines against Doane University on Wednesday evening for a conference battle at Heedum Field. The Warriors moved together as a team as they delivered four goals from four different players to blank the Tigers, 4-0. Midland holds on to fifth place in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) race with three games left in the season. Their overall record now sits at 7-4-4 and is 5-2-2 in the conference. Doane falls to a season record of 6-7-2 and a 3-5-1 mark in the GPAC.
In the 13th minute, Arianna Flores took a free kick from the top of the box that hit the crossbar. Brittany Llanes attacked the ball on the rebound to score the first goal of the match. That is where games stood after 45 minutes with the Warriors outshooting the Tigers 7-4.
Midland started to turn its shots into goals after the break. Aminata Lewis gave Sydney Herren a one-on-one opportunity against a Doane defender in the 62nd minute. She worked the ball to the top of the penalty area, around the defender, and passed the keeper’s fingertips for the Warriors’ second score.
Bailey Locano broke her tie with fellow fifth-year Brittany Llanes for the team lead in goals in the 71st. Then, Dana Gomez tacked on the final goal in the 75th to give the Warriors a wire-to-wire win over the Tigers.
Head coach Cody Bartlow had this to say about the midweek win. “We are growing as a team. The girls have learned about each other throughout the year and now you are seeing the results. It was a fantastic result in which I thought we truly controlled the tempo of the game. Four great goals and a dominant performance from the back line and goalkeeper. It was a fun night.”
Midland (7-4-4, 5-2-2 GPAC) will defend Heedum Field against Dakota Wesleyan (3-9-1, 1-8 GPAC) this weekend. On Saturday, the Warriors will welcome another set of Tigers into town for Senior Day. First kick is set for 1:00 p.m. with the recognition of the Class of 2022 prior to the game.
