Box Score The IU Columbus men's soccer team played host to Midway University on Saturday night at Nexus Park. This was a River States Conference battle, and both teams were certainly prepared for battle. 

The first half was tightly contested, with neither team able to find the back of the net. IU Columbus was able to get off six shots (two shots on goal) while Midway had three shots (one shot on goal). The physical nature of the game picked up midway through the half as Midway's Nahuel Cruz and IU Columbus' Maruwe Exauce each received a yellow card in the 26th minute. Midway's David Castilleios was cited at the 32:10 mark. A scuffle broke out as the first half ended, and Jordin Jones (IU Columbus) and Elijah Orren (Midway) got yellow cards as the half expired and the score still knotted at 0-0.

Matheus Ornellas Gubert had a shot hit the crossbar four minutes into the second half, and the Crimson Pride offense began finding some chances. They finally broke through as Exauce scored on an assist from Michael Mmadi at 53:34, giving the home team a 1-0 advantage. The intensity from both teams was present, and a yellow card was given to Connor Vincent (Midway) at the 57:10 mark. Two more yellow cards were given seven minutes later to London Sorrell (Midway) and Gubert (IU Columbus). Two more yellows were given over the next  few minutes, and then Mmadi scored the second goal on an assist from Marckenson Paul. That goal gave the home team a two goal cushion that would prove to be necessary.

The frustration and intensity reached a boiling point with four minutes remaining. Two red cards were issued to Saleh Ekuchi (Midway) and Noah Cordero (IU Columbus). Midway's goalkeeper Landon Sorrell was also cited for his second yellow card, removing him from the game as well. 

There was still a game to finish, and the Eagles were not going away. Just 30 seconds after the red cards, a penalty kick was awarded to Midway, and George Spencer nailed it to cut the lead in half. One minute later Midway's Noah Gardner had a shot that was saved by Crimson Pride goalkeeper Jordin Jones to preserve the lead, and the Crimson Pride were able to hold onto the lead for the final two minutes.

Next on the schedule: The Crimson Pride will host Rio Grande in a River States Conference game at Nexus Park on Wednesday, October 14th at 7:00 pm.