Warriors Shutout Southwestern at Home

FREMONT, Neb. – Quality offense and solid defense led Midland University to a 32-0 victory over Southwestern College in a Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) contest on Saturday at Heedum Field. Angel Ioane-Kaio threw for three touchdowns and the Warriors' defense intercepted four Moundbuilders' passes on the day.

Midland scored on its opening drive, a 12-play march to the endzone. Allaya Livingston rushed the ball in from one yard out, putting the Warriors up 6-0 after the failed point-after try. After both teams punted on their next drives, Southwestern had a drive halted at the end of the first quarter when Emily Ferron picked off a Miranda Dooley pass.

The Warriors added to their lead on the opening drive of the second quarter. Ioane-Kaio found Ferron open for a nine-yard touchdown pass. After the failed conversion try, Midland led 12-0. The Warriors' defense would intercept two more Moundbuilders' passes in the quarter, and the Warriors took the 12-0 lead to halftime.

Southwestern had the ball to begin the third quarter. After a six-play drive, the Warriors' defense stepped up again. Eleseana Patterson intercepted Southwestern quarterback Miranda Dooley, giving Midland the ball back. The Midland offense added to its lead with an eight-play drive, resulting in an 11-yard touchdown pass from Ione-Kaio to Alyssa Butler, to make it 18-0, midway through the third quarter. After the Warriors forced a punt, they scored once again. This time, Ioane-Kaio connected with Ferron on a 10-yard touchdown pass, to put the Warriors up 25-0, going into the fourth quarter.

The Warriors scored one more time, on a short three-play drive. Ioane-Kaio rushed the ball in from two yards out, and after the successful point-after, Midland led 32-0. The Moundbuilders would possess the ball one more time, putting together a 10-play drive that ended on an incomplete pass on the game's final play.

Midland put together 359 yards of total offense. Ioane-Kaio was 27-for-39 passing for 291 yards and three touchdowns. Ioane-Kaio also led the Warriors in rushing with 20 yards off five attempts, and a score. Allaya Livingston's lone rush went for one yard, and a touchdown. Midland's Mikaela Nunez caught five passes for 94 yards. Emily Ferron hauled in three receptions for 27 yards and two touchdowns. Alyssa Butler caught three passes for 49 yards and a score.

Southwestern was limited to 125 today yards, on the day. Miranda Dooley was 8-for-22 passing for 92 yards, no touchdowns, and four interceptions. Dooley was the leading rusher, carrying the ball ten times for 24 yards. Teagan Smith was the top Southwestern receiver, catching two passes for 48 yards.

On defense, Emily Ferron, Lylah Elizalde, Mikaela Nunez, and Myana Sigers led the Warriors with three tackles each. Elizalde also recorded a sack. Olivia Dominguez-Millsop, Ferron, Patterson, and Allaya Livingston all recorded one interception.

Aaliah Hanson led the Southwestern defense with 10 tackles, on the afternoon. Teagan Smith had four tackles and one sack.

Midland (5-2, 5-2 KCAC) will return to action on Sunday, March 17 hosting Baker (5-1, 5-1 KCAC). Action begins at 1:00 p.m. at Heedum Field in Fremont.