SEWARD, Neb. – Two challengers will attempt to knock the Concordia University men’s soccer team from the ranks of the unbeaten during this week’s action. The Bulldogs will host 2018 NAIA national qualifier Kansas Wesleyan University on Wednesday before a weekend road trip to Dordt. Head coach Jason Weides and his squad roll into the week with a sparkling 7-0 overall record.
Wednesday, Sept. 25 vs. Kansas Wesleyan (0-5), 7 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 28 at Dordt (3-3-2, 1-1-1), 3:15 p.m.
These are unprecedented times for a program that is 7-0 for the first time in Weides’ 12 seasons at the helm of Concordia men’s soccer. Over that timeframe, the only other Bulldog squad without a loss through seven games was the 2017 squad that started 6-0-1. Concordia hasn’t yet gained traction in the NAIA national poll, but perhaps this is the week for that to happen (new poll announced on Wednesday). According to Massey Ratings, the Bulldogs are currently the No. 14 team in the NAIA.
Massey Ratings also lists Concordia’s strength of schedule at No. 90 amongst NAIA squads. That number is lower than what likely would have been expected at this point, given the quality of programs the Bulldogs put on this slate. The Bulldogs own wins over perennially strong outfits in Bellevue University (2018 national qualifier), MidAmerica Nazarene University (2015 NAIA runner up) and Oklahoma City. Wednesday’s opponent went 12-0 in conference games last season. However, many of those teams are having seasons below their recent standards.
The Bulldogs simply find ways to win while making use of a roster that may have more quality depth than ever before under Weides, now the winningest coach in program history (114 career wins). After scoring two goals in last week’s 3-1 win at Bellevue, senior Carlos Ferrer was sidelined by injury this past Saturday versus Northwestern. On a positive note, senior center back Evan Hayden returned to the lineup, notched the game’s first goal and helped pave the way for another 3-1 win. Eleven Concordia players have combined for the team’s 25 goals this season (the opposition has been held to five goals).
Kansas Wesleyan has had a tough run through nonconference play. The Coyotes remain winless, but did play current No. 1-ranked Missouri Valley College into overtime on Sept. 14 (lost 3-2). Kansas Wesleyan has managed to score just three goals this season with two of them coming via Radley Arnold. The Coyotes were ranked No. 18 in the 2019 NAIA preseason poll fresh off a 17-5 overall mark in 2018. One of those five losses came at home to Concordia.
Dordt has had an up and down start. The Defenders own wins over Viterbo University, Ottawa University and Presentation. The result that jumps out is Dordt’s narrow 1-0 victory over Presentation, a squad the Bulldogs thumped by a 9-0 final score. Patrick Munsey has found the back of the net five times to top the Defenders, who have tallied 11 goals against 14 goals allowed on the year.
Looking ahead to next week, the Bulldogs will have a mid-week bye before hosting Mount Marty on Saturday, Oct. 5.