Seward, Neb. – The Bulldogs will travel to Dakota Wesleyan on Saturday after having the midweek off to prepare for the road match. Concordia University, Nebraska Men’s Soccer has tied three straight games including last week’s Hastings (1-1) and Briar Cliff (1-1) matches. Head Coach Jason Weides squad is 2-2-7 overall and 1-0-3 in the GPAC.
This Week
Saturday, Oct. 5 at Dakota Wesleyan (4-4-2, 1-2 GPAC), 5:30 p.m.
Live Webcast | Live Stats | Location: Pepsi-Cola Soccer Complex (Mitchell, S.D.)
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By the numbers
· Concordia found itself behind (1-0) as the minutes ticked away in the second frame. In the 77th minute, Slade Leicht raced the opposing keeper to the ball just inside the penalty area and was fouled hard by the Bronco between the pipes. Earning a free kick inside the box, Leicht gave Hererra the penalty and his fourth goal of the season. The equalizing score was his second made penalty of the year.
· D’Andre Williams made a great pass to Oliver Benson leading him down the near side of the field. Benson pushes a cross from right to left and finds the feet of a barreling Williams. The senior out of London, Canada, blasted a no doubter to take the lead in the first half. The game was physical, as expected, facing Briar Cliff with a GPAC high 52 yellow cards. The Chargers would find the equalizer and Williams last chance would clang off the posts to keep the draw in tact. The defense has only allowed seven shots on goal in the past two contests.
· The Bulldogs have tied more than they have win or losses combined and have set a three game tie streak. The team has tied with Graceland University (0-0), Columbia College (1-1), Grand View University (1-1), York University (1-1), Dordt (1-1), Hastings (1-1) and Briar Cliff (1-1). With previous season record at four (2023, 2018), Concordia has seven with six regular season matches left in its slate.
· Martin Herrera has broken into the top-5 in the conference in goals scored (four) and is tied for fourth with Dordt’s Jacob Narkis. The goal leaders in the top three are Hugo Garcia-Rosado Duran (eight), Tim Berger (six), and Stan van den Beld (five). Garcia (19), Beld (14) and Ameer Madden (13) are the top-3 point scorers in the Great Plains Athletic Conference.
· The Bulldogs' strength through the first 11 games has been on the defensive side of the ball. Concordia is the only team that has allowed fewer than double digit goals (nine) and leads the category in front of Northwestern and Mount Marty (12) having played two less games. Bolstered behind a 0.82 goals allowed average, the Bulldogs are tied for a team high three shutouts. CUNE has 42 saves as a team, which sits about the middle of the pack with goalies having fewer chances to defend because of the defense.
· Keeper Nolan Fuelberth has the highest save percentage (.800) and goals against average (0.89) in the Great Plain Athletic Conference. Native of Lincoln, Neb., Fuelberth sits second in goals against (eight) to Dakota Wesleyan’s Ryan Flannery. The product, out of Lincoln Southwest, ended his 2023 campaign in the top 5 in both categories last season (eight, 0.80). Flannery has played in three games due to splitting time compared to Fuelberth’s seven games. Gabriel Mendoza and Fuelberth combined for the program’s season low 13 goals allowed last season.
· The updated Massey Ratings have Concordia rated 70th with a strength of schedule rating of 51. With only one match upcoming, the ratings for Dakota Wesleyan have it placed at 131st and its strength of Schedule at 160.
Dakota Wesleyan
The Tigers come into the week with a 4-4-2 overall record and a 1-2 early GPAC showing. Dakota Wesleyan also tied common opponent York (2-2) but fell to Northwestern (3-0) and Hastings (2-1). The lone conference win came at the expense of Mount Marty (2-1) in Yankton, S.D. Through 10 games, the Tigers have lost the last two and sit at .500 (1-1-1) at home. With 14 goals scored, DWU has allowed 12 by its opponents while shooting 7.6 shots per game. On average, the team has shot .607 on goal. Lewis Cunningham and Colton Douglas are some of the top goal scorers and Ryan Flannery has a .682 save percentage between the posts.
Next Week
The Bulldogs will continue conference play against Morningside in a lone match next week. Concordia will host the Mustangs for senior day inside Bulldog Stadium. The match is listed below.
Saturday, Oct. 12
8 p.m. – vs. Morningside (senior day)