Courtesy of Midland Athletics
FREMONT, Neb. — Midland University competed in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) Tournament on Saturday as the second-seeded Warriors hosted the seventh-seeded Briar Cliff University Chargers at Heedum Field.
The Warriors looked to advance to the semifinals after taking a 2-0 lead late in the first half, but a red card and three second-half goals from the Chargers ended their tournament run in the opening round.
“I want to thank all of the seniors for putting so much effort into their careers here,” head coach Josh Nakayama said. “It’s unfortunate, but I’m so grateful for this team.”
Hugo Garcia opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, firing a first-time shot into the back of the net off a cross from Josh Kacperski. Twelve minutes later, Garcia struck again, side-footing the ball into the side netting after a cutback pass from Lucas Foreman to give Midland a 2-0 lead.
Briar Cliff was held in check early, managing its first two shots on goal in the 35th and 37th minutes. In the 42nd, however, Ruben Pernia was sent off after a tackle in which his foot went over the ball and into a Briar Cliff player’s leg. The red card forced Midland to play the rest of the match with 10 men. The Warriors held their two-goal lead through halftime.
The Chargers quickly responded after the break. In the 50th minute, David Utsi-Grinde found David Sauter in the box, and Sauter tucked his shot into the bottom left corner to make it 2-1. Just three minutes later, Utsi-Grinde equalized with a low shot to the same corner, tying the match at two apiece.
Briar Cliff’s momentum continued, and in the 58th minute, Aleandro Illan found space for a long-range strike that looped over the defense, off the post, and into the net for a 3-2 lead. Midland pressed for an equalizer the rest of the way, outshooting Briar Cliff 8-6 in the final 30 minutes, but the Chargers held on for a 3-2 victory to advance to the GPAC semifinals.
“Soccer is such a great and cruel game,” Nakayama said. “Individual mistakes cost us this game.”
Briar Cliff goalkeeper Xabier Ilundain had a breakout performance, stopping all nine second-half shots on goal to finish with 10 saves in 90 minutes. Midland’s Tomas Reyesrecorded four saves.
The Warriors will now wait to see if their regular-season play is enough to earn an at-large bid to the NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championship. The selection show is scheduled for Nov. 14 at 5 p.m., with first- and second-round matches taking place at campus sites Nov. 20-22.
“We’ll pray that our work this season is enough to be recognized nationally,” Nakayama said.
