Courtesy of Midland Athletics
DUBUQUE, Iowa — Midland University was back in action Thursday as it traveled to Dubuque, Iowa, to take on 23rd-ranked Clarke University. The Warriors pushed for an equalizer after the Pride struck in the 24th minute, but they came up short as Clarke iced the game with a goal in the 89th minute to secure a 2-0 victory and hand Midland its first defeat of the season.
Midland struggled to keep possession in the early minutes as Clarke applied a high press, constantly pressuring the Warriors’ back line until they forced turnovers. That pressure led to three early shots and three saves from Midland goalkeeper Tomas Reyes.
The Warriors held firm until a cross from Xzavier Campa sailed over the Midland defenders and found Javi Munoz at the back post. Munoz guided the ball into the bottom-right corner to give Clarke a 1-0 lead in the 24th minute.
“We came out flat and got punished,” head coach Josh Nakayama said. “We are a growing team and we had some growing pains today.”
Midland worked to equalize before halftime, taking four shots in the final 10 minutes of the first half and forcing three saves. The Warriors, however, went into the break trailing 1-0.
The push continued after the break as Midland outshot Clarke 3-1 in the first five minutes of the second half. The Warriors came close on a free kick that rattled the wrong side of the crossbar, but they couldn’t find the breakthrough. Clarke sealed the win in the 89th minute with a header off a free kick to make it 2-0.
“I’m proud of our spirit, and we never quit,” Nakayama said. “The boys fought until the end. We need to learn from this and focus on our next challenge.”
Hugo Garcia-Rosado Duran, Hugo Fragueiro and Elia Salvatore Antonini each led Midland with two shots, while Reyes made four saves on 14 total attempts in 90 minutes of action.
The Warriors (2-1-0) return to Heedum Field on Saturday for their home opener against Friends University (0-1-0). Kickoff is set for 3 p.m.
