SEWARD, Neb. – Even in a draw, the Concordia University Men’s Soccer team walked away from Bulldog Stadium on Saturday (Oct. 15) feeling better about itself. In another tense Hastings-Concordia battle, the Bulldogs were the clear aggressor in the second half and came within an eyelash of earning the victory. The visiting Broncos dodged plenty of bullets over the final 45 minutes in what ended in a 1-1 tie.
Head Coach Jason Weides’ squad really needed the win to keep hopes alive of catching Hastings (10-1-1, 8-0-1 GPAC) at the top of the standings. However, Concordia (10-2-2, 5-1-2 GPAC) most certainly gave a strong account of itself.
“I think the guys were ready at halftime,” Weides said. “It’s certainly disappointing to give up that first goal and be down 1-0, but we didn’t panic. We knew we could get back in the game. Credit to the guys. I’m definitely proud of them and their effort. The things we struggled with in the first half were due to us rushing the attack so much. Once we were a little more patient in the attack, we were so much better. It was a really good second half and we created a lot of chances. I think we proved to ourselves, maybe more so than anyone else, that we can play with anybody.”
A sterling night by Bronco keeper Brendan Dally (eight saves) is the main reason why this game resulted in a tie and kept the Bulldogs from sounding the victory bell. Concordia had seized control at the point in the 66th minute when Max Bisinger knocked in a goal from point blank range. Dally had saved the free kick from Martin Herrera, but even he wasn’t quite in position to deny Bisinger.
Just minutes earlier, Dally had made a sprawling save of a bullet of a strike from Herrera. The Bulldogs relentlessly peppered him in those final 30 minutes. Concordia finished with significant advantages in shots, 18-9, and corners, 10-1. As sign of the work rate of the entire Bulldog lineup, eight players put at least one shot on goal. That included Isaiah Shaddick, who narrowly missed out on his first goal of 2022.
In goal, Gabriel Mendoza played all 90 minutes for Concordia and made four saves. The Bulldogs possessed the ball effectively enough to allow for only five Bronco shots on goal. Hastings went up 1-0 when Ross Murphy’s long volley into the box was finished off by David Panter in the 43rd minute. Chances like that were few and far between the rest of the way.
Said Weides, “Hastings played well throughout this game too. They caused us some challenges. Their keeper made two or three outstanding saves in what were definitely goal scoring situations. Top to bottom, it was a really good college game. We know it’s going to be like a conference final type of game every time we play them. You try your best to play one game at a time and focus on the game at hand. The reality is that, at the start of the season, the guys circle this one on the calendar.”
The two rivals also played to a 3-3 draw last season in Hastings. Still unbeaten within conference play, the Broncos are on the verge of clinching a GPAC regular season title. Hastings placed third in the regular season in 2021 before winning the conference tournament.
The Bulldogs will remain at home to host Briar Cliff (4-6-5, 2-2-4 GPAC) at 8 p.m. CT on Wednesday. The Chargers have struggled to get results within conference play after sharing the 2021 GPAC regular season title with Northwestern. Concordia will attempt to avenge last season’s 1-0 loss at Briar Cliff.