Salina, Kan.—The Coyotes seized control in the first quarter and the Spires never fully recovered in a 34-12 loss Wednesday afternoon at JRI Stadium in Salina, Kansas. Kansas Wesleyan built a 14-0 lead in the opening quarter, then put the game away with two third-quarter touchdowns to stretch the margin to 27-6.

The turning point would come after the Spires had trimmed the deficit to one score in the second quarter. Kyendra Thomas found Eli Miranda for a touchdown with 5:50 left in the quarter, pulling USM within 14-6 after the extra-point try failed. But Kansas Wesleyan answered out of halftime, first on a 10:02 touchdown pass from Iwata to Wood, then on another Iwata scoring play at the 5:52 mark of the third quarter to push the lead to 27-6.

The Spires finished with 229 total yards on 60 plays. Thomas accounted for much of that production, completing 19 of 38 passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns while adding 73 rushing yards on 19 attempts. Bralei Criss led the Spires receivers with four catches for 58 yards, and Saint Mary added a late score when Thomas connected with Yaneila Romanlopez for a touchdown with 42 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.

Kansas Wesleyan was efficient throughout, totaling 282 yards on 43 plays and averaging 6.6 yards per snap. Iwata completed 14 of 30 passes for 198 yards and three touchdown passes, and also ran for 24 yards and a score. Wood made the biggest play of the night, finishing with 81 receiving yards and two touchdowns on just two receptions, including a long gain of 64 yards.

Turnovers proved costly for the Spires, throwing five interceptions. The Coyotes did not commit a turnover, a difference that loomed large as Saint Mary tried to stay within reach. The loss came after USM showed flashes of offensive movement, particularly from Thomas as both a passer and runner, but the early hole and repeated takeaways were too much to overcome. The Spires' final points came on the late scoring strike to Romanlopez, trimming the final margin to 34-12.

Spire flag football will be back in action this Saturday, April 11^th on their home turf at Berkel Memorial with game time set for 1:00 p.m. against the William Woods Owls.