Warriors Earn Midweek Nonconference Win at York

YORK, Neb. – Midland University traveled to face York University on Wednesday afternoon in a nonconference matchup in York, Nebraska. The Warriors staved off a late comeback and pushed past the Panthers by the score of 3-1. After dominating possession, Midland built a two-goal lead before the home side responded with its lone goal. All doubt of a comeback was removed with just under 15 minutes to go as the Warriors added an insurance goal and closed out the road win.

Midland came very close to opening the score in the 14th minute when a free kick by Colton Costello hit the post before bouncing out to Nacho Salmeron just outside the six-yard box. Salmeron directed the rebound on goal but the ball was saved and caught by York's goalie, Jamie Watt.

The opening goal came in the 20th minute when Hugo Garcia-Rosado Duran received a pass from Salmeron on the run. He dribbled past two players and slotted the ball, from a tough angle, into the bottom left corner for his fifth goal of the season.

Midland dominated the first half in possession and shots, outshooting York 14 to 1, including seven shots on goal. The Panthers' lone shot was off-target before the intermission.

Quickly after the break, Garcia was able to beat a defender and cross a pass into the box. The ball found its way to Joel Barcenes alone in the box. He blasted it into the bottom right corner to double the Warriors' lead in the 52nd minute.

The score would be unchanged until the 73rd minute when a York corner kick was crossed into the box, rattled between both sides of players, and found its way to Matias Madriaga who was able to put a foot on it. The ball bounced past the goalkeeper, cutting the deficit to 2-1 on the Panthers' second shot of the game.

Midland had an answer as it responded in the 77th minute. As a free kick crossed into the box by Garcia, it found the head of Brandon Toledo on the far post. Toledo powered the ball into the net to regain the two-goal lead and put the game out of reach for the Panthers.

"It's a good result for us," said head coach Josh Nakayama. "We need to defend better and keep clean sheets, but we had three good goals today and dominated the game."

The Warriors made their shots count in the second half as two of the four attempts found the back of the net. Hugo Garcia-Rosado Duran ended the game with a goal and two assists. Nacho Salmeron added an assist while Joel Barcenas and Brandon Toledo each scored their first goals of the season. Hugo Sjoeberg collected the win while picking up two saves.

Midland (2-2-1) will be back home this Saturday, September 7 at Heedum Field. The Warriors will take on Missouri Valley (2-1-0) in Fremont, Nebraska starting at 5:00 p.m.