SEWARD, Neb. – The 2023 NAIA men’s soccer selection show aired at 1 p.m. CT on Monday (Nov. 13) and revealed the Concordia men’s soccer team fell short of being chosen for an at-large national tournament bid. Head Coach Jason Weides’ squad ended the season ranked No. 21 in national ratings after being ranked for eight straight weeks. The Bulldogs broke into the top-25 of the NAIA coaches' poll for the first time in program history on Sept. 20, claiming the final No. 25 slot in the third national poll of the year. Concordia reached their highest ranking (No.18) on Nov. 1 but dropped after falling to Dordt in the GPAC quarterfinals.
CUNE had a record-breaking year in more ways than just rankings, as their motto to ‘Go Further’ came true in different facets as the year progressed. They finished the regular season with an undefeated record (13-0-4, 7-0-4 GPAC) for the first time in program history. Garnering the third most wins in the program, they finished with the least losses (one) and the highest winning percentage (0.882) since the program’s birth in 1971.
The team extended the home win streak to 20 (18-0-2) against Waldorf that started in 2021, as the streak finally came to a close on Nov. 1. Only allowing 13 goals by the opponents all season, the 2023 side allowed the least scores in program history, which tied them for eighth in the NAIA. The Bulldogs earned eight shutouts (0.72 GAA) and had a +30 goal differential earning them 2nd in both program categories.
The All-GPAC team was announced Monday (Nov. 13), with the Bulldogs claiming three spots on the first team in freshman midfielder Ferdi Hagen, junior forward Carter Hinman, and fifth-year defender Matt Schultz. The four second team honorees from Head Coach Jason Weides’ squad were sophomore goalkeeper Nolan Fuelberth, junior midfielder Jarrod Henson, fifth-year Bulldog forward Isaiah Shaddick and senior defender Braden Spath. In addition, junior keeper Gabriel Mendoza garnered honorable mention status.
Concordia men’s soccer can be followed in the off-season online at www.cune.edu/athletics or on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram at @cunemsoc. You can find them on Facebook at CUNE Men's Soccer. Coach Weides will enter his 17th season in 2024.