SEWARD, Neb. – After having conceded two early goals in their first two matches, the Bulldogs locked down the Bluejays' attacking third claiming their first shutout Saturday night (Sept. 2). Carter Hinman scored early stringing his third consecutive match with a goal, leading Concordia to a 1-0 victory over Tabor College (Kan.). The Bulldogs stayed on the attack with a large shot advantage (15-6) throughout the 90 minutes.
The Bulldogs continue to grow moving to 3-0 while adding depth with 20 players getting time to showcase their skills in the match against the Bluejays. Head coach Weides wanted a couple more finishes at the end but was pleased to get his first shutout.
“It was our first shutout of the season. Our first couple of games we let in a couple of early goals, so getting a shutout was huge,” said Weides. “I think considering the amount of possession we had and chances you would like to make a second or third but Tabor made it tough on us. We have to create more threatening situations…that’s the next level for us is to create those because you’re not going to make every chance you get”.
Hinman who had only two goals coming into this 2023 season, now has three goals in three games in 2023. Battling through injury the past couple of years, Himan looks healthy through three games and has been a monumental part of the Bulldog offense so far. His third goal came off a bad set piece which hit a defender and bounced to an attacking Braden Spath. He sends the powerful ball to Hinman who hits it in for the only score in the 3’ of the match.
With the 11-2 first half shot count in favor of Concordia, the Bulldogs stayed in their final third most of the first 45 minutes. They had the upper hand on an 8-2 corner kick advantage but slowed down in the second half as the shots were tied at four apiece.
Captain Iker Casanova stood tall with his line of defensemen as the Bluejays wouldn't go away constantly searching for the equalizer in the final 25 minutes of the match. Crossing a couple of dangerous balls into the box, Casanova and his team of Bulldogs headed them out to complete the scoreless win.
Casanova talked about what led to the shutout win. “Just teamwork. We’ve started out slow the past couple of games, but this time look at this energy, (pointing to his teammates), we are family. We fight for each other have good team chemistry to be able to pull off a shutout”.
Concordia (2-0) will travel to Papillion Landing to take on Bellevue University (1-2-2) for a midweek matchup on Wednesday (Sept. 5). The Bulldogs are set for first kick at 7:30 p.m. CT in their first road contest of this young season. The Bruins won in a tight 1-0 battle on the road at Bulldog Stadium against CUNE.