Warriors Handed Tough Loss in Home Opener

FREMONT, Neb. – Taking the turf at Heedum Field for the first time this season, Midland University hosted conference-rival Kansas Wesleyan University on Wednesday evening. Playing in cold temperatures, the Warriors saw their lead melt away as the Coyotes came from behind to win 18-14.

Things started well for Midland as it scored on each of its first two possessions. Getting the ball to start the game, the Warrior moved the ball down the field in 11 plays for the game's first score. Using up nearly six minutes of the clock, Angel Ioane Kaio found Allaya Livingston from 13 yards out. Ioane Kaio's rush for the one-point PAT was good and MU went up 7-0 with 6:04 on the first quarter clock.

After forcing a punt, the Warriors' offense went back to work. It took just 8 plays for them to drive the ball 35 yards. Facing a short third-and-goal from the three, Ioane Kaio flipped the ball to Jocelyn Lopez for the touchdown. Midland's one-point PAT was good via the pass and they led 14-o with 9:48 to go in the half.

Kansas Wesleyan was aggressive in its final possession of the first half. After moving the ball down the field to the 26-yard line, the Coyotes threw into the endzone on their final play. Darting in front of the targeted receiver was Livingston, intercepting the ball and taking a knee to send the Warriors into the intermission up 14-0.

The Coyotes began the third on offense and with the wind at their back, they marched down the field in eight plays, scoring on a nine-yard pass and catch to cut into the lead. The two-point attempt failed, leaving the Warriors up 14-6 with 6:35 left in the third.

Midland put together a strong first drive as well. Moving the ball down to the five-yard line in eight plays, the Warriors appeared to have a touchdown with just under three minutes on the clock. An illegal forward pass penalty negated the score on second down and two plays later, the Coyotes' defense forced a turnover on downs.

Down by six points and with just over a quarter of the game clock, Kansas Wesleyan orchestrated an impressive 79-yard drive. They converted a fourth-down attempt as well as three third-down plays to pull within a two-point conversion of tying the game. After a touchdown made it 14-12, the Warriors' defense once again stopped the PAT try by the Coyotes.

Looking to run time off the clock, Midland was unable to take too many ticks off as KWU forced a quick three-and-out.

With 1:52 left in the game, KWU utilized quick and short passes along the sidelines to preserve valuable time. After working down to the five-yard line, the Coyotes were forced into a fourth down. After scrambling around and avoiding the pass rush, KWU's quarterback found a receiver just inside the front pylon for the score with 35 seconds on the clock. Midland's PAT defense stood firm on the one-point try, keeping the gap at just four points, 18-14.

Needing to go 66 yards, the Warriors were held in check by the Coyotes' who were playing a deep zone. After getting the ball out to the 26-yard line, KWU's defenders swatted the game's final two pass attempts as the clock reached zeros.

For the game, Angel Ioane Kaio completed 19-of-33 pass attempts for 174 yards and 2 touchdowns. She also ran the ball at a team-high six times for 16 yards.

On the receiving end of seven passes was Allaya Livingston. She totaled 84 yards and a touchdown to lead the Warriors. Myana Sigers and Alyssa Butler each had three catches for 29 and 23 yards, respectively. Jocelyn Lopez's lone catch of three yards scored Midland's other touchdown.

Defensively, Nadiya Simpson had 8 tackles on the evening to lead the Warriors. Livingston and Cyndee Redd both had five tackles, with Livingston adding an interception in the endzone to end the first half.

Up next for Midland (0-2, 0-2 KCAC) will be a home match with Saint Mary (0-4, 0-4 KCAC). The teams will meet up next Wednesday evening, March 6, at 6:00 p.m. in Fremont.