SEWARD, Neb. – In a rematch of a 2015 GPAC tournament quarterfinal game, the Concordia University men’s soccer team will welcome Northwestern (3-6, 0-0 GPAC) to Bulldog Stadium for a 3:30 p.m. CT kickoff. The two sides also opened up the 2015 conference schedule on Sept. 26 when the Bulldogs dropped a 1-0 decision in Orange City. Concordia returned the favor with a 1-0 victory in the GPAC tournament.
Ninth-year head coach Jason Weides’ squad has fallen just once so far in nonconference play and sports an overall record of 3-1-2. The Bulldogs have been one of the nation’s stingiest teams, limiting opponents to just three goals scored over the season’s first six games. Their average of 0.5 goals allowed per game ranks 13th best among all NAIA men’s soccer programs.
Offensively, the goals have been spread out amongst a wide range of players. Micah Lehenbauer, set up twice by teammate Tyler Jensen, scored a pair of goals in Monday’s 2-2 draw at Nebraska Wesleyan. Lehenbauer’s 10 goals since the start of the 2015 season are the most of any Bulldog. Lehenbauer is one of six players with at least one goal this season.
On the flip side, Northwestern has struggled to limit its opposition, surrendering 22 goals over its first nine games. On Wednesday the Red Raiders snapped a three-game losing streak by knocking off Buena Vista University (Iowa), 4-2. Northwestern also owns wins over Presentation College (S.D.) and Bethany College (Kan.).
Concordia has made only two appearances at home this season. It defeated York College, 4-0, to begin the 2016 season. The Bulldogs last played at home on Sept. 3 when they fell 1-0 to Graceland University (Iowa) in a game that included a controversial ending. Under Weides’ watch, Concordia’s most successful run through its home schedule came in 2011 when it went a perfect 8-0 inside Bulldog Stadium.
Saturday’s game will be shown live by the Concordia Sports Network. Concordia will play its first conference road game on Wednesday, Sept. 28 when it travels to play No. 8 Hastings (8-0) at 8 p.m. CT.