Late Goal Forces Draw as Warriors Open Season

PALOS HEIGHTS, Ill. – Midland University kicked off its season with a draw against Governors State University on Thursday evening. After falling behind early, the Warriors battled back and took the lead before the Jaguars spoiled the opener with a last-minute goal for the 2-2 tie in the neutral site game just outside of Chicago.

The game was highly contested early with both teams getting chances. Hugo Sjoeberg made a great save in the seventh minute against a free kick that came in from just outside the box. Midland would respond with a shot on goal from Brandon Toledo before Sjoeberg was tasked with another fantastic save in the 19th minute.

The pressure mounted for the Warriors in the 20th minute as a rebound off of a Jaguars' shot found the feet of Javier Losa who was able to put it past the defense for the opening goal.

Midland countered with the game's next six shots on goal. The fifth was a long-range effort in the 40th minute from Hugo Garcia-Rosado Duran that hit off the keeper's hands and then went into the back of the net to even the score at one apiece heading into halftime.

The Jaguars were able to put pressure on the Warriors at the beginning of the second half with four shots on target. Sjoeberg was up to the test to keep them out while his teammates were able to relieve the pressure on the other end of the field. A pass from Garcia-Rosado Duran found Matheus Nascimento on the edge of the box in the 65th minute. Nascimento went around one defender before an excellent strike from the edge into the top left corner gave Midland the lead, 2-1.

GSU never let up as they got seven more shots on target in the next 20 minutes. A cross into the box, and a left-footed shot from Rafael Silverio, made it past the Midland keeper to equalize the score in the final minute of regulation and the game ended in a draw.

"We had to deal with adversity early, going down 0-1. We showed a lot of perseverance and a never-quit attitude to take the lead in the second half," said head coach Josh Nakayama about the game. "We need to mature as a team and learn how to close out games though. We have a lot of great players on the team this year. I'm very excited for the future."

Hugo Sjoeberg finished with 15 saves in goal while Hugo Garcia-Rosado Duran had a goal and an assist. Governors State outshot Midland 35 to 19 while fouls were even at 13 per side.

Midland (0-0-1) will return to the pitch on Saturday, August 24 in Palos Heights. They'll take on Trinity Christian (1-0-0) beginning at 12:00 p.m. at the Schaaf Athletic Complex.