SEWARD, Neb. – The race is down to six teams as the GPAC looks to crown the regular season champions and with only two games left every single point matters. Concordia University, Nebraska Men’s Soccer will have the full week to prepare for Mount Marty in the road finale this coming Saturday (Oct. 26). The Bulldogs came out swinging and claimed back to back shutouts over Doane (3-0) and Waldorf (10-0).
This Week
Saturday, Oct. 26 at Mount Marty (4-8-1, 1-6 GPAC), 3:30 p.m.
Live Webcast | Live Stats | Location: Crane Youngworth Stadium (Yankton, S.D.)
By the numbers
· Plagued with games ending in a tie, Concordia made sure that didn’t happen in the 3-0 final over Doane. It seemed to be headed that way with a scoreless match through 70+ minutes. Senior Ryan Wokutch flipped the top off at Al Papik Field, scoring his second goal of the year. Unsatisfied with a one score lead, the Bulldogs' leading scorer Martin Herrera came in clutch with two consecutive goals in the 83rd and 85th minutes. The offense pounded the ball inside the offensive third with an 18-2 shot advantage over the Tigers. The home team mustered up one shot on goal in the 90 minutes because of the constant pressure the visitors put on display.
· The visiting Bulldogs pounced on the Warriors after the 18th minute and the home team could not stop the bleeding as CUNE was up 7-0 at the break. Wokutch helped Concordia get started once more and the Seward squad scored almost every five minutes for the rest of the half. Goals were also had by Herrera (21’), Kai Olbrich (27’, 67’), Youssef Heggy (32’, 33’), Ferdi Hagen (38’), Aidan Nachi (41’, 74’) and Mattis Hollnagel (62’). The visitors outshot their opponents, 28-2, and in corner kicks (14-2). Starter Gabriel Mendoza and Jason Payne shared minutes between the posts and combined for the shutout.
· Three Bulldogs have crept up or stayed in the top five of the GPAC individual leader standings deep into the season. Herrera is fourth in the conference for goals (eight) and is in striking distance down two goals from the conference leader. Herrera was awarded the GPAC Offensive Player of the Week, tallying three goals and one assist in the past two games. D’Andre Williams is in a four way tie for second in the conference in assists (five) and the GPAC leader Ameer Madden has six. Nolan Fuelberth continues to be stellar in the net, leading the conference in save percentage (.816), goals against (nine) and goals against average (0.75).
· In 2022, Dordt got the better of the Bulldogs in a 4-3 win in Sioux Center. Since that time, Concordia has been unbeaten in regular season conference play, going 18-0-10. Against Mount Marty, CUNE has went 18-1-2 in the series overall history. The Lancers lone victory came in 2010, winning 2-1 in Yankton. The Bulldogs have shutout MMU 12 times since 2000.
· A fist fight in a phone booth would describe the race for the GPAC regular season conference title. With most teams having played eight games, three teams are tied at the top with 17 points: Hastings (5-2-2), Midland (5-1-2) and Morningside (5-1-2). Concordia (4-0-4) and Northwestern (5-2-1) are nipping at their heels with 16 points and Dordt (4-2-2) has 14. Briar Cliff (3-4-1), Dakota Wesleyan (2-5) and Doane (2-6) make up the teams fighting for the final GPAC tournament spots in the league.
· The NAIA RPI ratings have the Dawgs ranked 71st with a strength of schedule rating set at 119th. Mount Marty is ranked 161st out of 195 teams and 191st in the strength of schedule rating.
Mount Marty
The Lancers come into the week with a 4-8-1 overall record and a 1-6 conference showing. Mount Marty defeated Waldorf (3-0) but has lost its last five games starting in September. Starting Wednesday with Midland, MMU will look to get going and try adding to its 17 goals and nine assists. With 9.6 shots per game, the team has a .136 shot percentage and are paced by Zachary Hebda having four scores in 2024. Alessio Pirrello has played 608 minutes between the posts and has 24 saves with a .545 save percentage.
Final Week
The Bulldogs will come home for one final match of the regular season hosting Midland as their final opponent. First kick is set to be inside Bulldog Stadium next Wednesday. The match details are below.
Wednesday, Oct. 30
8 p.m. – vs. Midland