SEWARD, Neb. – After receiving their first blemish to the previously perfect record, No. 25 Concordia invites Midland to Bulldog Stadium on Wednesday (Sept. 27), then will travel to Dakota Wesleyan on Saturday (Sept. 30). The Bulldogs received their first national ranking in program history (25) in the NAIA coaches’ poll on Wednesday (Sept. 20). Following the ranking, the team seized a conference victory over Dordt (2-0) less than eight hours later and cemented the best start (8-0) in program history since the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) era. The 2-0 home mark this season has extended the program’s home unbeaten streak to 17 (16-0-1 over that stretch). After multiple rain delays, they faced off against Northwestern on Saturday (Sept. 23) as the teams were knotted (2-2) after full time. Concordia now sits at 8-0-1 overall and 2-0-1 in the GPAC.
This Week
Wednesday, Sept. 27 vs. Midland (3-5-1, 1-1-1 GPAC), 5:30 p.m.
--Live Webcast | Live Stats | Location: Bulldog Stadium
Saturday, Sept. 30 at Dakota Wesleyan (4-2-1, 0-1-1 GPAC), 3 p.m.
--Live Webcast | Live Stats | Location: Pepsi-Cola Soccer Complex
By the numbers
· Newly ranked and with the best start in program history on the line, there was insurmountable pressure on the Dawgs to get the win over the Defenders last Wednesday (Sept. 20) in Bulldog Stadium. Concordia came out firing, claiming a first half shot advantage (7-0) that led to two early scores in the match. Jarrod Henson stole the ball from a back line defender, running right, he drew the last defensemen and goalie to one side of the penalty area. Henson then kicked a no-look pass behind him to a wide open Carter Hinman for an easy one touch strike. In the 32nd minute, the Aussie smashed a bending cross from the near corner of the penalty box to the far post for a Victor Meneses header, giving the Dawgs a 2-0 lead in the early going. In the second half, the teams came to a stalemate, as no more goals were scored throughout the match. Goalkeeper Nolan Fuelberth (three saves) and Adrian Wambua had big stops in the last 10 minutes to seal the shutout. The home team held a total advantage in shots (11-4) and corner kicks (9-2) on the day.
· Playing on grass for the first time this season, the conditions of the field were less than desirable for the first GPAC road match. Nevertheless, the Bulldogs got up early in the 13th minute as Henson and Meneses switched places on a seemingly similar cross and header goal from the last match. Fast forward to the 58th minute, and Concordia found themselves down (2-1) for the first time in the second half in 2023. Northwestern was given two back to back penalty kicks in less than four minutes and Red Raiders' Tim Kaltenberger capitalized on both. Less than two minutes later, Carter Hinman was surrounded by three defenders, who ran as far as he could before pushing the ball forward to a streaking Izzy Shaddick. Izzy ran forward, meeting the ball on the far side and punched it in for the equalizing goal. CUNE edged NWC 10-9 in shots and controlled the ball in the attacking third with a 10-3 corner kick advantage.
· Over half way through the season, the Bulldogs are already proving to be one of the top teams in program history. Head coach Jason Weides, on the back of a 2022 GPAC Tournament Championship, coined the mission, “Go Further.” In some ways the team already has, breaking the unbeaten start (formerly 2019) and being named in the top 25 of the NAIA coaches’ poll for the first time ever. The team will look to keep going, unsatisfied with anything less than the GPAC championship, which has always been toward the top of team goals every year. Coach Weides points his players toward the opponents ahead to help grab the elusive GPAC regular season title one game at a time.
· Shaddick became the third Bulldog ever to have at least 20 goals and 15 assists in their career after his goal last Saturday versus Northwestern. The Lincoln, Nebraska product has totaled 20 goals and 17 assists in his time at Concordia. Izzy joined elite company in Nathan Douglas (2010-13) with 43 goals plus 16 assists, and Aaron Skipworth (2008, 10-12) with 31 goals plus 17 assists. Shaddick is tied for third in all-time assists with Skipworth at 17.
.
Midland
The Warriors come into the Wednesday matchup with a 3-5-1 overall record and a 1-1-1 record in the GPAC. Their three wins were against Williams Baptist University (2-1) out of Missouri, York University (4-0), and Waldorf (5-0). Midland has fallen in its last two contests to Tabor University (3-1) out of Kansas and Dordt (3-1). Through nine games, they have averaged 15.6 shots per game with a .486 shot on goal percentage. The team has a high assist to goal ratio, as 12 of their 14 goals were assisted. Returning All-GPAC honorable mention Patrick Long leads the team in shots (21) and has two goals for a squad that shares the ball in the final third. Adnan Boulaghmal and Eloy Demarquet have three goals apiece, as the Iowa product, Colton Costello, leads the Warriors with three assists. On the back line, they return 2022 All-GPAC defenders Dawson Butcher and Thomas Moulder. The main keeper for Midland is Marco Moresco having garnered almost 656 minutes between the posts. He has a 2.06 percentage of average goals allowed per game and a save percentage of .717. The Warriors are tied for first in the conference in yellow cards (31) with Hastings almost doubling Concordia’s 16.
Dakota Wesleyan
The Tigers come into this week with a 4-2-1 overall record and a 0-1-1 GPAC record through seven games. Their last win came versus common opponent York (2-0) on Monday (Sept. 11) in York, Neb. Their last three games have resulted in two losses against Hastings (3-0), Concordia College (2-1) out of Minnesota, and a tie versus Briar Cliff (1-1). Dakota Wesleyan have averaged 15.5 shots per game and .473 shot on goal percentage. Freshmen Korbinian Rieder and Cesar Cornejo lead the team in goals scored with three and two respectively. Eight different Tigers have scored and no team member has more than one assist. They return their 2022 All-GPAC honorable mention goalkeeper Hunter Birozy, as he has split time, playing 360 minutes with a low goals allowed average (1.0) and an .800 save percentage.
Next Week
The Bulldogs will step on the field at home versus Morningside on Wednesday (Oct. 4), then will travel to Jamestown, N.D. on Saturday (Oct. 7) to face off against Jamestown. The matches are listed below and will be hosted at Bulldog Stadium and Jimmy Turf Field.
Wednesday, Oct. 4
5:30 p.m. – vs. Morningside
Saturday, Oct. 7
5 p.m. – vs. Jamestown