Warriors Edge Waldorf, Earn Weekend Sweep

ALBERT LEA, Minn. — Midland University traveled to Albert Lea, Minnesota, to face Waldorf University in a weekend series on Saturday and Sunday. The Warriors swept the series with a 3-2 win in Game 1 and a 3-2 shootout win in Game 2.

SATURDAY: Midland 3, Waldorf 2

Karl Grafelman netted an early goal with assists from Tommy Babb and Ethan Brown at the 4:08 mark. Waldorf found the equalizer at 10:01 to make it a 1-1 game at the end of the first period.

Midland capitalized early in the second period on a power play, as Grafelman scored his second goal of the game just 1:50 in, again assisted by Brown and Babb, to put Midland ahead 2-1. The rest of the period remained quiet.

Midland added a cushion goal in the third period at the 3:46 mark when Leo Milan found the back of the net, assisted by Brown and Hugo Lukacovic, to extend the lead to 3-1. Waldorf responded at 6:58 to cut the deficit to 3-2, but Midland held strong the rest of the way to secure the hard-fought victory to open the weekend series.

Liam Tereposky played the full 60 minutes in goal, recording 23 saves. Midland outshot Waldorf 41-25.

SUNDAY: Midland 3, Waldorf 2 (SO)

Waldorf struck first with a goal at the 5:59 mark of the opening period, taking a 1-0 lead into the break.

Midland responded in the second period as Grafelman scored at the 8:40 mark with an assist from Brown to tie the game at 1-1. Waldorf regained the lead with a late goal at 18:52, making it 2-1 heading into the third.

Grafelman continued his strong offensive weekend by netting an unassisted goal at 9:54 of the third period to even the score at 2-2. Midland held Waldorf scoreless the rest of the period to send the game to overtime.

After a scoreless overtime, the game went into a shootout, where Grafelman delivered once again by slipping the puck past the goalie. Tereposky made the crucial save to seal the 3-2 shootout victory and complete the sweep. 

Tereposky played the full game on Sunday, recording 36 saves.

Midland (5-11) will return home to host a weekend series against Missouri State on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 21–22. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. both nights.