SEWARD, Neb. – The Concordia Men’s Soccer team will host their common in-state rival, No. 7 Bellevue University, before traveling to Grand View University (Iowa) on Saturday. Last week, the Bulldogs played to consecutive ties against Graceland University (0-0) and No. 17 Columbia College (1-1). With these results, Concordia's record stands at 1-0-2 for the season.
This Week
Wednesday, Sept. 4 vs. No. 7 Bellevue (4-0), 8 p.m.
--Live Webcast | Live Stats | Location: Bulldog Stadium (Seward, Neb.)
Saturday, Sept. 7 at Grand View (2-2-1), 1 p.m.
--Live Webcast | Live Stats | Location: Cownie Soccer Complex (Des Moines, Iowa)
By the numbers
· The Yellowjackets and Bulldogs couldn’t break through to score in the contest in Lamoni. Defensively, Concordia riddled its opponents scoreless in the first two games. This time Gabriel Mendoza was in goal versus Graceland and garnered four total saves. On the attacking end, one of the Bulldogs’ best chances came when Carter Hinman nearly got loose while delivering a shot right of the goal in the 78th minute. In a game with an ultra-talented Columbia Cougars (Mo.) squad, Concordia finished with one goal and allowed one from the home team. Quality chances came at a premium in the tightly contested contest. Having possession of the ball the majority of the first half, the visitors broke through first in the 33rd minute. Transfer Aidan Nachi collected his first goal as a Bulldog via D’Andre Williams to take the lead. The Cougars would answer six minutes later, and the defenses would take over in the second frame.
· After three games, the Bulldogs are 1-0-2 and the program’s regular season unbeaten streak has reached 29 games (21-0-8). The consecutive games without a loss started with a 2-1 win over Northwestern on Sept. 24, 2022. Current Forward Ryan Wokutch scored both goals in the match and helped start the streak of dominance. During that time, the program has scored a 7-0-7 away record and a 14-0-2 home outing. The last team to beat the Bulldogs (regular season) was Dordt via an 4-3 offensive battle in Sioux Center on Sept. 21, 2022.
· The Defense has anchored Concordia thus far with two shutouts, only allowing one goal through 270 minutes and prove to contest with last season’s program low 13 goals permitted. With 27 shots taken, its opponents have only mustered up a .037 percent completion rate. The Bulldog defense is made up of veterans and newcomers through the likes of captain Iker Casanova, Mattis Hollnagel, Spencer Kaufman, Michael Lindberg, Braden Spath, Sean Stratman, Adrian Wambua, Michael Wyvill and more.
· Scoring six goals through three games, the Concordia offense has continued to spread the ball around in the final third. Martin Herrera is the only Bulldog with two scores, but four more have put the ball in the back of the net including Oliver Benson, Aidan Nachi, Kai Olbrich and Ryan Wokutch. The assists mirror the scoring as four players have one assist apiece: Ferdi Hagen, Herrera, Carter Hinman and D’andre Williams.
· The Massey ratings have ranked Bellevue (10th), Grand View (43rd) and CUNE (53rd). The strength of schedule for the opponents has the Bruins set at 120 and the Vikings at 45. The Bulldogs are tallied at 71st in strength of schedule after only three games.
Bellevue
Bellevue is undefeated with a 4-0 record but will be tested with a clash set for Wednesday. The Bruins have not been kind to the GPAC having a 3-0 record against the conference and a +8 goal differential through the three contests. They have bested Doane (6-0), Hastings (2-1) and GPAC preseason favorite Briar Cliff (2-1). Tack on a 2-0 shutout over Tabor College (Kan.) and Bellevue is set to face four more GPAC opponents in its season slate. The Bruins have scored 12 goals and average 15.5 shots per game and a .468 shot on goal percentage. The offense is led by seniors Matias Daniel-Doren (four goals) and Ombeni Mubake (three goals). Assists can come from anywhere (10 total) with the visitors, but Mubake and Giovani Lima Soares lead with two apiece. Concordia defeated Bellevue (2-1) at Papillion Landing in 2023.
Grand View
The Vikings are 2-2-1 early and have a mixed bag of finishes with GPAC conference opponents. Grand View defeated Morningside (2-1) and Dordt (1-0) but tied Northwestern (1-1) and was defeated by Midland (4-2). They will face another GPAC foe Briar Cliff on Thursday before the Concordia matchup. Through five games, they have scored six goals while allowing nine. The Vikings average nine shots per game and have acquired a .489 shot on goal percentage. Warren Sung is the goal leader with two and Clement Scaccia has a score and an assist. Scott Penngelly has played 360 minutes in between the posts collecting 16 saves and a .727 save percentage.
Next Week
The Bulldogs will come back home for a match against Benedictine College (Kan.) and take another non-conference away match against York University. The matches are listed below.
Wednesday, Sept. 11
8 p.m. – vs. Benedictine
Saturday, Sept. 14
2:30 p.m. – vs. York