Big Second Quarter Leads Warriors to Road Victory

LAMONI, Iowa – A dominant second quarter propelled Midland University to a 33-12 victory over Graceland University in Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) action on Wednesday night at Huntsman Field. The Warriors scored 20 points in the pivotal second period to take control of the game.

Midland struck first on the opening drive. A 20-yard pass from Nadiya Simpson to Morgan Kalisek set up the Warriors at the Yellowjackets' 33-yard line. Four plays later, Angel Ioane Kaio connected with Olivia Dominguez-Millsop for a 15-yard touchdown. The conversion was successful, giving Midland a 7-0 lead with 8:57 left in the first quarter.

Graceland responded on its opening drive. Caitlin Shannon's 19-yard rush positioned the Yellowjackets at the Midland 22-yard line. Four plays later, Shyla Barrios punched it in from four yards out. The conversion attempt failed, keeping Midland ahead 7-6 with 2:20 left in the quarter.

The Warriors opened the second quarter with another scoring drive. Ioane Kaio hit Cydnee Redd on a 15-yard pass to the Yellowjackets' 15-yard line. On the next play, Ioane Kaio found Dominguez-Millsop again for a touchdown. Ioane Kaio ran in the conversion, extending Midland's lead to 14-6 with 9:40 left in the half.

Midland's defense forced a punt on Graceland's next drive, and the Warriors quickly capitalized. Two plays later, Ioane Kaio threw a 29-yard touchdown pass to Dominguez-Millsop. An Allaya Livingston conversion pass was good, pushing the lead to 21-6 with 7:20 remaining in the half.

Following another Graceland punt, the Warriors struck again. On the third play of the drive, Ioane Kaio connected with Livingston for a 25-yard touchdown. The conversion pass failed, making it 27-6 with 4:00 left in the second quarter.

After both teams traded possessions, Midland's defense delivered a key play. Malaetia Reupena-Tuaiao intercepted a pass at the Warriors' 17-yard line with 1:50 left in the half. Six plays later, on fourth-and-1, Ioane Kaio completed a 43-yard touchdown pass to Jocelyn Lopez on the final play of the quarter. The conversion attempt failed, and Midland took a commanding 33-6 lead into the final period.

Graceland added a late score with 30 seconds remaining. Shannon completed a 1-yard touchdown pass to Delaney Mondino. The conversion attempt failed, sealing the 33-12 final.

Midland outgained Graceland 359-207 in total yards. Ioane Kaio completed 30-of-38 passes for 306 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception. Dominguez-Millsop hauled in nine receptions for 97 yards and three touchdowns. Livingston had eight catches for 68 yards and a score, while Lopez had two receptions for 52 yards and a touchdown.

For Graceland, Shannon completed 19-of-29 passes for 93 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. She also led the Yellowjackets in rushing with 103 yards on 12 carries. Barrios added two carries for 11 yards and a touchdown. Mondino caught one pass for a 1-yard score.

Defensively, Kalisek led Midland with 7.5 tackles, while Barrios matched that total for Graceland.

Graceland (6-5, 2-4 KCAC) will host Kansas Wesleyan on Saturday, March 29. Midland (5-5, 2-3 KCAC) returns to action on Sunday, March 30, traveling to face Ottawa. Kickoff at AdventHealth Field is set for 1 p.m.