GAME NOTES: Bulldog men ready to open GPAC play
SEWARD, Neb. – The Concordia men’s soccer team will travel to (RV) Northwestern College to open GPAC play for the season. The tilt is slated for Saturday, Sept. 26 with kickoff set for 7:15 p.m. in Orange City, Iowa.
MATCH INFO
Concordia University (5-2) at (RV) Northwestern College (5-3)
Saturday, Sept. 26 | 7:15 p.m. CDT
Site: Soccer Field Complex in Orange City, Iowa
Webcast: Stretch Internet
Last time out
Last weekend, the Concordia men’s soccer team traveled to Colorado to take on Sterling College and Johnson & Wales University. The Bulldogs left the west with two more wins to tack onto their record. On Saturday, Sept. 19, The Bulldogs shutout Sterling College, 4-0 with the help of a hat trick from freshman Tyler Jensen. Johnson & Wales University was up next on Sunday, Sept. 20. CUNE again defeated its opponent, 3-2.
Jensen picks up GPAC Player of the Week award
Freshman Tyler Jensen received GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Men’s Soccer Offensive Player of the Week honors announced Tuesday, Sept. 22. After Jensen’s outstanding performance vs Sterling College in Colorado, scoring three of CUNE’s four goals, the freshman picks up his first player of the week award.
Last week, Jensen recorded not only his first collegiate goal, but also his first hat trick. The goals came in the last half of the tilt with Sterling College Saturday, Sept. 19. The freshman took five shots in the contest coming off the bench. Jensen also saw action in Sunday’s match vs Johnson & Wales University.
GPAC individual rankings
Julian Amaya – points per game, tied for 10th (1.43); total points, tied for ninth (10); assists per game, tied for third (0.57); total assists, tied for second (4);
Kevin Andrade – game winning goals per game, tied for seventh (0.17)
Toby Down – points per game, tied for 10th (1.43); total points, tied for ninth (10); goals per game, tied for 10th (0.57); total goals, tied for ninth (4); shots per game, tied for seventh (3.29); shots on goal per game, tied for sixth (1.57)
Mark Horsburgh – total saves, 8th (22); goals against average, second (0.74); saves per game, ninth (3.67)
Micha Lehenbauer – shots per game, tied for 10th (2.43); shots on goal per game, tied for eighth (1.43)
Gideon Soenksen – shots per game, tied for 10th (2.43)
National rankings
As a team, the Bulldogs rank 25th in the nation in total shutouts with three. Individually, Mark Horsburgh ranks 16th in goals against per game (0.74) nationally.
Quotable
“We showed great focus the entire weekend. It can be tough playing back-to-back days, especially when you’re not used to the altitude here. Our guys gave full effort at all times. Every guy stepped in and added something productive whether playing 90 minutes or five minutes. I’m proud of the entire team. We responded to several challenges in this game and showed mental resolve.”
-Jason Weides on the weekend in Colorado
Scouting the (RV) Northwester College Red Raiders
The Red Raiders of Northwestern College carry a 5-3 record into this weekend’s contest. Two of the three losses have come from top 15 teams, Mid America Nazarene and Bellevue. As a team, the Raiders have taken 134 shots with just under half (62) on goal. For the majority of play time, Matt Scott has filled the net as keeper for Northwestern. Scott has recorded 32 saves and allowed just 10 goals over eight games. The Red Raiders are led by head coach Kan Swier who is in his eighth year at Northwestern College. Swier is assisted by Blake Wieking and Matt Cranson.
Up next on the pitch
The Concordia men’s soccer team will continue GPAC play on the road next week as they travel to Hastings College on Tuesday, Sept. 29 for a 7 p.m. kickoff. On Saturday, Oct. 3, the Bulldogs will welcome Dordt College to Bulldog Stadium for a 3:30 p.m. kick off.