SEWARD, Neb. – Second seeded Concordia University, Nebraska Men’s Soccer and No. 5 seed Hastings clashed for the fifth time in 10 years in the GPAC championship on Wednesday (Nov. 13). The Broncos seized the go ahead goal and held on to a 1-0 lead to win the 2024 tournament title. The Bulldogs finish with a 8-3-9 overall record and 6-0-4 in conference play.
“We created some decent chances”, said Head Coach Jason Weides. “We just weren’t able to convert them. They defended really well. They did things to block a cross, block a shot, and disrupt our final pass a bit. It just wasn’t our day to put it in the back of the net.”
The defenses allowed a combined four shots on goal (two apiece) and 11 chances total. Hastings’ Lewis Albert, GPAC Offensive Player of the Week, found a header goal in the 26th minute via a hard cross from left to right by defender Juan Arteaga-Lopez.
Having not seen a loss since Sept. 11, Concordia would clamp down in the final third, not allowing a shot on goal in the second frame. Captain Iker Casanova and Adrian Wambua led the second half shutout and would push to create shots into the front side of the field.
On offense, the Bulldogs pounded the box with crosses inside and the Broncos would play bend but don’t break defense constantly heading the ball back into the midfield. Martin Herrera and D’Andre Williams would lead the attack with two shots apiece, while Ferdi Hagen and Ryan Wokutch had one solo try each.
The teams were almost dead even in statistical categories: shots (6-5), corner kicks (3-3), saves (1-2) and fouls (9-13). Goalkeeper Nolan Fuelberth punched out his only other shot on goal.
Concordia remains unbeaten in the GPAC regular season since 2022 (20-0-10).
Coach Weides said, “These players have done an amazing job. One thing that really stood out about this team, anything that we threw at them, they would respond to it. This team really grew throughout the year. If we had something to fix or address, they would implement it right away. This team did that better than most any team we have ever had. It’s the second year in a row we have went undefeated in conference. That’s really hard to do.
Hastings (11-7-2, 6-2-2 GPAC) has won five straight and rolls into four consecutive shutouts. Keeper Pablo Arce-Salinas grabbed his fourth shutout as the Broncos earned the lone automatic NAIA national tournament bid.
Concordia (8-3-9, 6-0-4 GPAC) ends its season as No. 2 in the regular season and runner up in the GPAC tournament for the third time.