SEWARD, Neb. – After playing into the middle of April this past season, Concordia University Men’s Soccer will return to the pitch for what figures to be a more standard campaign. The program has announced its 2021 schedule (revealed on June 3), which features 17 regular season matchups. The season is slated to get underway on Aug. 25 when nearby York College will be in town.
Head Coach Jason Weides recently finished his 13th season leading the Bulldogs, who reached the 10-win mark for the 10th season in a row. Concordia went 10-5-3 overall and placed fifth in the GPAC regular season standings (7-2-2 GPAC mark). The season ended in heartbreak via a penalty kick shootout in the GPAC quarterfinals at Northwestern. Five Bulldogs garnered all-conference mention: Iker Casanova (second team), Moises Jacobo (second team), Carlos Orquiz (second team), Federico Simonetti (second team) and Garrett Perry (honorable mention).
The 2021 slate features nonconference opponents in York, Tabor College (Kan.), Grand View University (Iowa), Kansas Wesleyan University, Benedictine College (Kan.) and Bellevue University. Bellevue finished this past season ranked No. 8 in the NAIA. In addition, the GPAC sent three teams to the national tournament (Briar Cliff, Hastings and Morningside) that took place this spring. The GPAC opener is scheduled for Sept. 18 with a visit from Mount Marty. Concordia will be at home eight times during the regular season.
The conference tournament dates are set for Nov. 3 for the quarterfinals, Nov. 6 for the semifinals and Nov. 11 for the championship game. The NAIA National Championship Opening Round is slated for Nov. 18 and 20 with action at the final site (location to be announced) set to run from Nov. 30 – Dec. 6.