SEWARD, Neb. – Named the protector of Concordia men’s soccer goal the past two matches, Gabriel Mendoza was honored as the GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Defensive Player of the Week, as announced by the league on Tuesday (Sept. 12). He is the first Bulldog to receive this award so far this season, but shouldn’t be the last as they are 5-0 through five matches.
On Tuesday (Sept. 5) Concordia, for the first time, traveled on the road to face a talented Bellevue University. After an early goal by the Bulldogs, the Bruins responded in the sixth-minute with a goal of their own, switching the momentum to the home squad. Since the conceded goal, Mendoza became a stone wall for his last 174 minutes of play helping Concordia defeat Bellevue (2-1). In a route against McPherson, He had one save setting the back line well to help limit the amount of attempts for the opposition. Concordia outshot the visitors 41-2 in a great team win (7-0) as the defense kept feeding their attackers the ball throughout the match. Mendoza totaled four saves through two games earning the GPAC Defensive Player of the Week and has only allowed two goals this campaign.
The Bulldogs (5-0) will not be able to take the gloves off, as they travel to Benedictine University (4-0-1) out of Kan. for the clash of the undefeated teams on Wednesday (Sept. 13). The match is set for 7:30 p.m. CT at Legacy Field in Atchison, Kan.