SEWARD, Neb. – For a brief moment, the Concordia University men’s soccer team believed it had forced an overtime period with visiting Graceland University (Iowa). But Lewis Rathbone’s bicycle kick goal was judged to have occurred after the horn had sounded. Time ran out on the Bulldogs, who dropped a 1-0 decision to the Yellowjackets in Seward on Saturday night.
The latest outing provided a good measuring stick for Concordia, which was up against a Graceland side that already owns a win over the NAIA’s fourth-ranked team. The Bulldogs are now 1-1 on the young campaign.
“We can play with really good teams,” said ninth-year head coach Jason Weides. “Graceland’s a good team. It just shows that we can get better and we have a ways to go, because I think we’re good enough to get results against good teams like this. I was really impressed with our guys’ competitive spirit to get back into the game after giving up a goal.
“The last-second equalizer was called off just milliseconds after the horn sounded, unfortunately. It was a really good fight. It showed a lot of promise moving forward.”
The only goal that counted came in the 14th minute when Ryan Schlom deposited the ball into the back of the net. It was one of only four shots that the Yellowjackets put on frame on Saturday. Concordia more than doubled Graceland in shots (18-8).
Rathbone was particularly active for the Bulldogs. He led all players with six shots taken. Seven other Bulldogs recorded at least one shot. Like the Yellowjackets, Concordia managed to put just four of its strikes on frame. Goalkeeper Mitchell Hart received credit for a shutout.
Weides identified his team’s defensive pressing as an area that got better between games one and two of the 2016 season.
“I thought we did a much better job as a unit pressing and pressing a little bit higher up the field,” Weides said.
The Bulldogs will have a rare Monday contest this coming week. They will head to North Newton, Kansas, to take on Bethel College (0-2). Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. CT.