SEWARD, Neb. – A trio of Bulldogs represented the Concordia University men’s soccer program on all-region teams released this week (Dec. 6) by the United Soccer Coaches. The coaches’ organization recognized seniors Florian Caraballo, Marcelo Hernandez and Micah Lehenbauer as second team choices on the NAIA All-Plains Region Teams. All three were also first team All-GPAC performers in 2017 for a Bulldog squad that broke the program record for number of wins in a season.
Caraballo, who hails from Cordoba, Spain, drew consistent praise from tenth-year head coach Jason Weides as perhaps the top outside back in the GPAC. Caraballo was a primary reason why the Bulldogs ranked 16th nationally in terms of fewest goals allowed per game (0.8). A first team All-GPAC honoree for the second year in a row, Caraballo also contributed one goal and six assists and was named GPAC defensive player of the week twice this season.
Hernandez, a native of Quito, Ecuador, served as one of the conference’s top offensive threats this fall. He totaled 11 goals and a team best 10 assists in 19 games played. He ranked sixth in the GPAC in goals and third in the conference in assists. Also a first team All-GPAC choice in 2016, Hernandez finished his Concordia career with 19 goals and 14 assists in 36 games over two seasons.
Lehenbauer, who calls Kathleen, Ga., home, shared the team goal scoring lead with 12, a number that ranked fourth best among GPAC players. Lehenbauer moved up to the GPAC’s first team this season after collecting second team accolades as a junior. Over 76 career games played as a Bulldog, Lehenbauer totaled 27 goals and seven assists. He posted three game-winning goals in 2017. He turned in a hat trick in the Sept. 26 win over Mount Marty.
Weides’ team finished 2017 at 16-3-1 overall and advanced to the conference tournament championship game for the third-straight season. Eight Bulldogs were then tabbed with GPAC all-conference honors.