Courtesy of Midland Athletics
FOREST CITY, Iowa – Midland University continued its push for the top spot in the Great Plains Athletic Conference on Saturday as it traveled to Waldorf University. The Warriors’ offense shined as Hugo Garcia-Rosado Duran scored three goals in a 9-0 victory.
Midland dominated the first half, earning six corner kicks to none for Waldorf and outshooting the hosts 11-2, with 10 shots on target. Nacho Salmeron opened the scoring in the seventh minute when his corner delivery was deflected back to him on the left edge of the box. He took a touch and fired a shot past the goalkeeper at the near post to make it 1-0.
Garcia doubled the lead in the 19th minute after a long throw-in from Thomas Gibson was flicked into the middle of the box. Garcia, unmarked in the six-yard area, rose and headed the ball into the net.
Midland made it 3-0 in the 23rd minute when Garcia’s free kick from 20 yards out was tipped onto the crossbar. Freshman defender Tyler Gilliland pounced on the rebound and headed the ball into an open goal for his first collegiate score. The Warriors carried the three-goal advantage into halftime.
The reigning GPAC Attacker of the Year continued his standout performance in the second half, scoring in the 60th minute off a cutback pass from Agustin Ulzurrun and again in the 62nd minute with a direct free kick from 30 yards out to make it 5-0.
Midland extended the lead in the 76th minute when Jaime Jerez played a through ball to Iven Eckardt down the left wing. Eckardt slotted a shot into the bottom-right corner to push the lead to six. The advantage grew to nine as Colin Macke scored in the 83rd and 88th minutes and Eckardt added his second goal in the 87th.
Midland outshot Waldorf 32-2, with 27 shots on goal compared to Waldorf’s one. Midland goalkeeper Sean Beatty did not face a shot on target and earned the clean sheet. Waldorf recorded 16 saves as a team.
With the win and Northwestern’s loss to Hastings, the Warriors moved into a tie for first place in the GPAC with 19 points. Midland (12-2-2, 6-1-1 GPAC) will host Northwestern (11-2-2, 6-1-1 GPAC) this Saturday at Heedum Field. The match is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m., with first place on the line.
