SEWARD, Neb. – The wins and the weekly GPAC awards keep on rolling in for the Concordia University men’s soccer program. On Tuesday (Oct. 3), the conference named Jack Bennett the GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Defensive Player of the Week and tabbed Micah Lehenbauer the GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Offensive Player of the Week. Head coach Jason Weides’ team has reeled in five total conference player of the week awards in 2017.
A first-year starter at goalkeeper, Bennett has claimed his third GPAC defensive player of the week award this season. Over last week’s victories over Mount Marty and Bellevue University, Bennett played a total of 154 minutes without allowing a goal. He made seven combined saves, including five against the Bruins. Bennett and company have recorded four-consecutive shutout wins. The native of Oxford, England, ranks 12th nationally in goals against average (0.651).
Lehenbauer enjoyed a breakout goal scoring week, recording a hat trick and an assist versus Mount Marty. He added another goal in the victory over Bellevue. The senior from Kathleen, Ga., has posted six goals and two assists in nine games this season. His career stat line includes 21 goals and seven assists in 66 games.
Two challenging road games await the Bulldogs (9-0-1) this week. They will play at Briar Cliff (8-2, 1-1 GPAC) on Wednesday and at Northwestern (6-4-2, 2-1 GPAC) on Saturday. Concordia is ranked second in the official GPAC ratings released by the NAIA on Monday (Oct. 3).
Concordia men’s soccer GPAC weekly winners in 2017
Oct. 3 – Jack Bennett / Micah Lehenbauer
Sept. 19 – Jack Bennett / Lewis Rathbone
Sept. 5 – Jack Bennett