Courtesy of Midland Athletics
DES MOINES, Iowa – In a midweek meeting, Midland University traveled to face Grand View University in nonconference action. The Warriors powered their way past the Vikings by the score of 4-2, earning their first win of the season. After gaining an early lead, the Warriors trailed by a goal at halftime. A second-half flurry of goals saw Midland score three goals in nine minutes to put them in the win column. Hugo Garcia-Rosado Duran scored a hat trick in the game, his first as a Warrior.
Midland was able to grab the lead on the first shot on goal of the game off the foot of Garcia-Rosado Duran in the 5th minute. Grand View countered quickly with a score of its own and continued the trend of scoring on the first shot on goal just over 10 minutes later. The goal from GVU’s Samuel Londono in the 16th minute equalized the score at 1-1.
As the Warriors’ offense seemed to slow the rest of the half, the Vikings put up the final four shots before the break, including a go-ahead goal. Warren Sung found the back of the net in the 42nd minute to give the Vikings a 2-1 lead at the intermission.
Early in the second half, Midland goalkeeper Hugo Sjoeberg was put to the test after a foul inside the box. With the Vikings taking a penalty kick, Sjoeberg showed he was up for the challenge as he blocked the shot to keep the deficit at one goal.
The game turned into a defensive battle after the early excitement as both teams battled for possession with only one combined shot for the next 20 minutes. The Warriors broke through the defensive battle as a pass from Lucas Foreman found Colton Costello on the attack. He was able to score in the 73rd minute, tying the game at two goals per side.
Five minutes after the equalizing goal, Garcia-Rosado Duran was able to find a way past the defense for his second goal of the game, putting Midland in front. He wouldn’t stop there as four minutes later he put the ball in the net once more to give the Warriors an insurance goal and earn his first hat trick of the season in the 81st minute. With Midland firmly in control, the defense held strong as Grand View was only able to garner one set piece over the final minutes of the contest.
“I’m very proud of this group of guys. We showed grit and spirit,” said head coach Josh Nakayama. “Tonight, we had the heart of a Warrior. We still have to continue to mature as a team and put a total 90′ together. Now it’s all about Graceland.”
Hugo Garcia-Rosado Duran scored his three goals on just five shots while Hugo Sjoebergwas able to pick up four saves, including the penalty save.
Midland (1-1-1) will return to the pitch on Saturday, August 31 for its home opener. They’ll take on Graceland (2-0-2) beginning at 5:00 p.m. at Heedum Field in Fremont, Nebraska.
