Warriors Drop HAAC Road Test at Columbia

COLUMBIA, Mo. – Midland University returned to action Saturday, traveling to Columbia, Missouri, to face the Cougars of Columbia College. The Warriors showed fight but could not keep pace as Columbia scored the first seven goals on the way to an 18-1 victory.

The Cougars struck early as Kai Garriock scored just 1:12 into the contest. Garriock added two more goals at the 4:15 and 2:24 marks of the first quarter to complete a first-quarter hat trick and give Columbia a 3-0 lead. The Cougars outshot Midland 12-4 in the quarter while the Warriors committed eight turnovers.

Columbia continued its scoring run in the second quarter, netting the first four goals of the frame from four different players. Midland got on the board with 1:30 remaining in the half when Asher Thomas scored an unassisted goal to cut the deficit to 8-1. Columbia restored its eight-goal lead when Brock Pleis scored just 17 seconds before halftime, sending the teams into the break with the Cougars ahead 9-1.

Columbia shifted into another gear in the second half, outshooting Midland 29-7 across the third and fourth quarters. The Cougars scored seven goals in the third quarter and three more in the fourth to secure the 18-1 victory.

Goalkeeper Sean Erickson made seven saves while facing 52 shots, including 25 on goal. Thomas led the Warriors with their lone goal on three shots. Columbia outshot Midland 52-18 and also led in turnovers, 28-17, and ground balls, 34-24.

Midland (2-3, 0-1 HAAC) will return home Saturday, March 21, to face Clarke (1-3, 0-1) in a Heart of America Athletic Conference game. Opening faceoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Heedum Field.