GAME NOTES: Bulldog men prep for three GPAC contests
SEWARD, Neb. – The Concordia men’s soccer team will be the host to two GPAC foes in this upcoming week. The Nebraska Wesleyan University Prairie Wolves will travel to Bulldog Stadium Wednesday, Oct. 13 for an 8 p.m. kickoff. On Saturday, Oct. 17, the Briar Cliff University Chargers will be the opponent with a start time of 3:30 p.m. Then on Sunday, Oct. 18, Concordia will travel to No. 24 Hastings College. The match is slated to begin at 7:30 p.m.
MATCH INFO
Nebraska Wesleyan University (7-4, 1-3 GPAC) at Concordia University (6-4-1, 1-2-1 GPAC)
Wednesday, Oct. 14 | 8 p.m. CDT
Site: Bulldog Stadium
Webcast: Concordia Sports Network
MATCH INFO
Briar Cliff University (5-5, 2-2 GPAC) at Concordia University (6-4-1, 1-2-1 GPAC)
Saturday, Oct. 17 | 3:30 p.m. CDT
Site: Bulldog Stadium
Webcast: Concordia Sports Network
MATCH INFO
Concordia University (6-4-1, 1-2-1 GPAC) at No. 24 Hastings College (7-3-1, 4-0 GPAC)
Sunday, Oct. 18 | 7:30 p.m. CDT
Site: Lloyd Wilson Field | Hastings, Neb.
Last time out
Visiting Midland responded to a Bulldog equalizing goal with the final two tallies of Wednesday night’s clash inside Bulldog Stadium. The Warriors (9-3, 4-0 GPAC) used three different goal scorers and held Concordia off the board for the final 58 minutes in earning a 3-1 road victory. Then on Saturday, Oct. 10, the Concordia University men’s soccer team stormed out of the halftime intermission with a pair of quick goals to take command of host Morningside on Saturday night. The Bulldogs added another tally for good measure to pull away with a 3-0 win over the Mustangs.
GPAC rankings
As a team, the Bulldogs are tied for second in total shutouts (5), ranked third in shots per game (17.17) and shutouts per game (0.42) and ranked fifth in shots on goal per game (8.33) and in shots allowed per game (1.25).
Julian Amaya –total assists, tied for ninth (4)
Mark Horsburgh – total saves, tied for eighth (45); goals against average, fired for third (0.94); saves per game, seventh (4.09)
National rankings
As a team, the Bulldogs rank 22nd in total shutouts (5), 26th in shutouts per game (0.42), 41st in shots per game (17.17) and 44th in shots on goal per game (8.3). Individually, Mark Horsburgh ranks 33rd in goals against per game (0.94).
Quotable
“It was a solid all-around performance. I thought Morningside started the game strong. They were controlling possession and creating chances. Our guys improved as the game went on. It was a pretty even first half and then we came out in the second half and responded well. We had a totally different mentality. We had very few lapses.”
-Jason Weides on the loss vs (RV) Hastings College
Scouting the Nebraska Wesleyan University Prairie Wolves
The Prairie Wolves of Nebraska Wesleyan University own a 7-4 (1-3 GPAC) record so far this season. The lone GPAC victory came over Mount Marty College when the Prairie Wolves put up a 7-1 match in Yankton. Conference losses have come from Midland (0-1), Briar Cliff (2-4) and Northwestern (0-2). As a team, NWU is ranked 49th in the country in shots per game (16.64). The Prairie Wolves have a save percentage of .750 and a goals allowed average of 1.60. The Prairie Wolves are led by head coach Tudor Flintham who is in his first year at Nebraska Wesleyan University. Flintham is assisted by Grant Johannes, Brad Fullerton, Scott Sheffield and Chris Simley.
Scouting the Briar Cliff University Chargers
The Chargers of Briar Cliff University will carry an even 5-5 (2-2 GPAC) mark into Saturday’s match. Winning in overtime 1-0 over Dordt and 4-2 over Nebraska Wesleyan, the Chargers have put up two GPAC victories. On the other side, No. 24 Hastings (1-7) and RV Northwestern (1-4) have handed BCU its two conference losses. Charger Chirstopher Nkoghe ranks in the top 10 nationally in several categories including second in total game winning goals (5), third in goals per game (1.6) and fifth in total goals (16). As a team, Briar Cliff ranks 16th nationally in goals per game (3.30). The Chargers are led by head coach Pat Herbst who is in his ninth season with the Briar Cliff men’s soccer team. Herbst is assisted by Brandon Burgad, Jeremy Reinert, Jesus Sanchez and Kalynn Sortino.
Scouting the No. 24 Hastings College Broncos
The Broncos of Hastings College are currently 7-3-1 (4-0 GPAC) on the season. The Broncos have rolled through GPAC foes, outscoring those 19-2. Hastings ranks second in the GPAC in shots per game (19.18) and is tied with Concordia in total shutouts (5). The Broncos own a shots on goal percentage of .408 and have outshot its opponents, 211-126. Keepers for Hastings have amassed a save percentage of .780. The Broncos are led by head coach Chris Kranjc who is in his 17th season at Hastings College.
Up next on the pitch
The Concordia men’s soccer team will be on the road for upcoming GPAC play. On Wednesday, Oct. 21, the Bulldogs will travel down the road to Doane College for a 7:15 start time. Then on Saturday, Oct. 24, Dakota Wesleyan University will be the host to CUNE with the start time scheduled for 3:30 p.m.