COLUMBIA, Mo. – Goals were at a premium between No. 17 Columbia University (Mo.) and Concordia Men’s Soccer on Saturday night (Aug. 31). The two teams found themselves in a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes at R. Marvin Owens Field. After three games, the Bulldogs are 1-0-2 and the program’s regular season unbeaten streak has reached 29 games (21-0-8 in that stretch dating back to 2022).
Head Coach Jason Weides commented on the back and forth contest and how every position group played together.
“We came out of the gates hot and started well. It became two really good teams battling. Both teams had their chances, but Columbia tested us, and we came to play. It was disappointing to get a draw in that game because we see those games as games that we can and need to win. It was really a team performance. Our back line and midfield played well and our front three pressed through times of the match.”
The ultra-deep Concordia squad played 18 different players and came out with a majority of possession in the first half. D’Andre Williams came into the game and helped spark a goal with a connection between Aidan Nachi. The Iowa Western Community College transfer, Nachi, was able to slide towards the ball and punch in the first score of the match. With that touch, the Lincoln, Neb., native was able to score his first goal as a Bulldog.
About six minutes later (39th minute), the Cougars’ own Sidiki Kromah answered with a score to knot the contest minutes before the end of frame one. No team would break through in the second half as both defenses didn’t want to relent a game winner late.
Last week’s GPAC Defensive Player of the Week Nolan Fuelberth knocked down a career single game high eight saves to be a big proponent of the deadlocked match. The junior, out of Lincoln, Neb., has amassed 34 career saves with his time in Seward.
Many key players made an impact and Coach Weides continued to rave about his back line to keep them in the contest.
“We started with Lindberg (Michael). In the first half, I thought he looked like a first team all-conference player. Sean Stratman played at center back and he hasn’t played or trained there this year. He was outstanding. He looked really good in that role. Michael Wyvill and Kaufman (Spencer) looked good and we had some others come in a perform as well.”
Columbia was led on offense by Kromah and Carter Redford combining for five total shots, all being on goal. The Cougars outshot the Bulldogs 15-7 (9-4 on-goal) and 8-1 in corner kick opportunities. Goalkeeper Alejandro Munoz collected three saves between the posts. Columbia will move on to face No. 18 Bethel University (Tenn.) next Saturday.
Concordia (1-0-2) will host No. 7 Bellevue University (4-0) at Bulldog Stadium on Wednesday. First kick is set for 8 p.m. CT. The Bulldogs defeated the Bruins (2-1) at Papillion Landing in 2023.