Bulldogs play to draw at Doane despite taking 32 shots
CRETE, Neb. – The Concordia men’s soccer team marked up 32 shots, 15 on goal in a 1-1 tie at Doane on Wednesday, Oct. 21. Freshman Tyler Jensen scored the only goal for the Bulldogs, his fifth of the season. Twelve different Bulldogs took at least one shot in the 110 minute match.
The Bulldogs are now 7-6-2, 2-4-2 GPAC this season while the Tigers move to 7-4-3, 4-1-2 GPAC.
Head coach Jason Weides noted, “Overall, it was positive. We played well and looked really sharp. It was a hard earned draw on the road. Sometimes in our conference against tough teams, picking up a point on the road is important. We didn’t win but I thought we performed well and showed a good team mentality. We fought hard and showed a lot of passion.”
In the first half, the Doane Tigers struck first. Mark Wallace scored on a ball from Gabe Garbin 15:20 into the match. Then four and a half minutes later, Jensen answered back with his fifth collegiate goal to knot the tilt at one.
“The first half we started fairly sharp,” Weides said. “It was misting a little bit and the wet surface caused both keepers a bit of trouble. The first goal they scored had to do with that issue, it was tough to hang on to the ball. On our goal, their keeper bobble it and it was pretty much the same thing.”
The Bulldogs attacked the net, taking more shots on goal than the Tigers took total. The 32 shots (15 on goal) from the Bulldogs is a new season high. Previously, CUNE had taken 30 shots in the opening match of the season against Bethel. The 15 shots on goal is a season high for Concordia.
“I thought we absolutely dominated the second overtime,” said Weides. “Our guys created a lot of opportunities and just came out firing. We were so close on a couple opportunities.”
Jensen led the ‘Dogs in shots with six, four on goal. Eleven other Bulldogs took at least one shot while nine had at least one on goal.
“We have some guys playing at positions that they haven’t played at all year and they all really stepped up,” stated Weides. ”Our back line was really sharp and our strikers created chances for us, I’m really pleased with the performances.”
Mark Horsburgh filled keeper duties for Concordia and recorded one save in the match. Matthew Dworak, Doane goalie, tallied 14 saves in the 110 minute contest.
Weides said on upcoming GPAC play, “I think if our guys play with that same amount of intensity and passion going to Dakota Wesleyan, I’m confident we’ll perform well. Dakota Wesleyan is a tough place to play on the road, historically we haven’t done well there. We’ve got to really perform if we want to get points in that game.”
The Concordia men’s soccer team will return to action on Saturday, Oct. 24. The Bulldogs will travel to Mitchell, S.D. to take on Dakota Wesleyan University (3-10-1, 0-5-1 GPAC) for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff.