HASTINGS, Neb. – Playing down a man a majority of the game, Concordia and Hastings played a physical match on Saturday night (Oct. 14) at Lloyd Wilson Field. The Bulldogs earned an early goal through Slade Leicht but conceded a score three minutes later off a rebound on a saved penalty kick in the draw (1-1). Missing important pieces through injury, CUNE dominated the ball in the second half but was unable to find the game winner.
The Bulldogs gained one point moving their record to 11-0-3 overall and 5-0-3 in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC). Head coach Jason Weides spoke on the many adversities of the match and how proud he was of the team.
“It was challenging. I thought our team played really well. It was unfortunate not to get more than just a tie out of it. Our team overcame a lot of adversity in the game. Our guys responded well to the penalty kick equalizer, then Victor Meneses got his second foul, which drew his second yellow card. We played the rest of the 63 minutes down a man, but you wouldn’t have known it. That is why we are extremely proud of our team. Hastings didn’t have a clear cut chance the whole match besides the PK. It was a full team performance. The only thing that was lacking was the win.”
With the Broncos unable to clear the ball in the 6th minute, Carter Hinman crashed a header toward midfielder Slade Leicht. He needed only two touches, as he hit the ball down with his chest and struck the ball past the crashing goalkeeper for his first collegiate score, putting the Dawgs up one early. Slade scored on his fourth shot of the season and added to his one assist in 2023.
Given a penalty kick three minutes later, Hastings’ Ruben Bande took the chance for the Broncos. Goalkeeper Nolan Fuelberth blocked the initial penalty kick, but Bande followed the ball and kicked in the second chance, tying the match (1-1).
The Bulldogs' goalkeeper only had one save, as the back line kept the Broncos from any legitimate chances in their attacking third. CUNE kept the corners coming in the second half, edging the home team 4-0 in the last 45 minutes. The teams equaled each other in yellow cards despite Hastings having significantly more fouls (18-10) in the match.
Concordia (11-0-3, 5-0-3 GPAC) will travel for a huge matchup to face the top team in the GPAC standings, Briar Cliff (10-2-1, 7-0-1 GPAC), on Wednesday (Oct. 18). The Bulldogs and Chargers take to Faber Field for an early start at 1 p.m. CT in their midweek match.