SEWARD, Neb. – The Concordia University men’s soccer team has positioned itself nicely heading into the final three games of the regular season. Currently tied for second place in the GPAC with a 5-1 conference record, the Bulldogs have a prime opportunity to earn another GPAC tournament quarterfinal home game or perhaps even a conference regular-season title if things break right. Concordia will begin the stretch run Wednesday with a trip to Midland.
This week’s schedule
Wednesday, Oct. 18 at Midland (8-5, 4-1), 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 21 at Dordt (7-8, 1-5), 3:15 p.m.
Tenth-year head coach Jason Weides’ squad stands at 12-1-1 overall, putting in one win away from breaking a program record for the most wins in a single season. The 12 victories are a high-water mark during Weides’ tenure, which began in 2008. Weides guided the Bulldogs to 11 wins apiece in 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2016. Weides was a junior defender for the 2000 squad that went 12-7 overall (4-4 GPAC) and now shares the school single-season wins record with the current team.
In last week’s outings, Concordia picked up wins over Doane, 2-1, and Morningside, 3-0, to remain just a game (three points) behind first-place Hastings in the league standings. Keeper Jack Bennett and company recorded their seventh shutout of the season. Goals were scored by four different Bulldogs during the week. The race for the team’s top goal scorer has tightened with Lewis Rathbone (11) leading the way and Micah Lehenbauer (nine) and Marcelo Hernandez (eight) close behind.
Midland slipped back to fourth in this week’s official GPAC ratings. However, the Warriors remain a threat to claim one of the top seeds in the conference tournament. Their only loss in conference play came by a 2-0 decision versus No. 8 Hastings. The Warriors have a net zero goal differential having scored 21 goals and allowed 21. Their leading goal scorer is Robert Wiseman, who has six goals.
Dordt’s lone win in conference play came over Dakota Wesleyan, 3-2, on Sept. 30. So far this season, the Defenders have allowed 30 goals and have surrendered the same number. Garrett Goodson and Mason Faucett pace the team with seven goals apiece. Goalkeeper Seth Lewison sports a goals against average of 2.130.
Both of this week’s contests will come with some form of live coverage. Wednesday’s game at Midland can be live streamed HERE. Saturday’s match at Dordt can be tracked via live stats HERE.
Concordia will wrap up the regular season next week when it hosts Hastings at 8 p.m. CT on Wednesday, Oct. 25. The two sides met in both the 2015 and 2016 GPAC tournament championship games.