SEWARD, Neb. – The Bulldogs will have their hands full with two tough tests visiting Iowa and Missouri for their next two non-conference opponents. Concordia is set to face Graceland (Mo.) on Wednesday (Aug. 28) and No. 14 Columbia (Mo.) on Saturday. In their season opener against Avila University (Mo.), the Bulldogs pitched a 5-0 shutout over the Eagles.
This Week
Wednesday, Aug. 28 at Graceland (2-0-1), 7 p.m.
--Live Webcast | Live Stats | Location: John Rasmussen Soccer Complex (Lamoni, Iowa)
Saturday, Aug. 31 at No. 14 Columbia (1-1), 7:30 p.m.
--Live Webcast | Live Stats | Location: R. Marvin Owens Field (Columbia, Mo.)
By the numbers
· It took less than 14 minutes for Concordia to get on the scoreboard for the first time this season. Martin Herrera booted a cross from right to left and a sliding Ryan Wokutch delivered the home opening score. Herrera would add on via penalty kick before the half. The Bulldogs feasted with three more scores on 14 second half shots to blow the game wide open in the second frame. Freshman Oliver Benson, Herrera and Kai Olbrich all dog piled on the Eagles via Ferdi Hagen and Carter Hinman assists. The back line collected a shutout and only allowed four shot attempts compared to Concordia’s 21.
· Martin Herrera and Nolan Fuelberth had standout showings in game one. Herrera, a Quito, Ecuador, native returned to the field in style with two goals and an assist in his first game back from a 2023 season ending injury. The ISM Academy product double pump fists after scoring his first goal against the Eagles. Fuelberth was named GPAC Defensive Player of the Week and collected a shutout and two big saves in his consistent performance.
· The 2023 season was a record breaking one as the Bulldogs ended their campaign with the sour taste of their first defeat in 18 games. The team ended with a 13-1-4 overall record and a 7-0-4 going unbeaten in the regular season for the first time as a program. They allowed the fewest goals (13) by any Concordia Men’s Soccer team and strangled eight shutouts out of their competition. Concordia on Sept. 25 landed at No. 25 in the NAIA Coaches’ poll, entering the rankings for the first time in the program. The Bulldogs were a mainstay in the national poll and spent the season’s final eight weeks inside the top 25, peaking at No. 18. All season long, the Bulldogs were rated as the GPAC’s top team.
· Concordia lost two of their All-GPAC recipients in Matt Schultz and Isaiah Shaddick but has a veteran squad with 10 returning for their final tour this fall. Concordia welcomes back six 2023 All-GPAC award winners: Ferdi Hagen (First Team); Carter Hinman (First Team); Nolan Fuelberth (Second Team); Jarrod Henson (Second Team); Braden Spath (Second Team); Gabriel Mendoza (Honorable Mention). In addition, two-time second team all-league choice Iker Casanova returns to the back line entering his fifth year as a starter. Hinman (10 goals in 2023) represents the leading returning goal scorer while Ryan Wokutch will look to add to his 18 career goals this season. The team returns a long list of experienced players from last season that also includes the likes of Okan Erkocu, Youssef Heggy, Martin Herrera, Slade Leicht, Michael Lindberg, Kai Olbrich, Adrian Wambua and D’Andre Williams.
Graceland
The Yellow Jackets have collected a 2-0-1 early season record facing common GPAC foes in their first three matches. Graceland defeated Mount Marty (4-1) and Hastings (2-1) but finished the 90 minutes deadlocked with Northwestern (2-2). The team has produced eight goals on five assists averaging 14.3 shots per game. Lucas Porter has half the scores (four) on his own with four other players having one goal apiece. Graceland has a .535 shot-on-goal percentage and a .186 shot percentage. Mario Salinas has two assists and the Yellow Jackets have primarily used goalkeeper Dither Beltran through three games.
Columbia
The Cougars have a win and a loss early in the season having played two quality opponents in their first bouts. Columbia bested Briar Cliff (2-1) but fell to No. 12 Missouri Valley College (3-1). The team will have Wednesday off before facing Concordia on Saturday. They have scored three goals in two games and allowed four. The Cougars average 14.5 shots per game with a .379 shots-on-goal percentage. Miguel Gonzalez, Joshua Peterson and Carter Redford all have a goal apiece. Goalkeeper Alejandro Molto Munoz has played all 180 minutes in both games and has eight saves.
Next Week
The Bulldogs will come back home for a match against Bellevue University and take another non-conference away match against Grand View University (Iowa). The matches are listed below.
Wednesday, Sept. 4
8 p.m. – vs. Bellevue
Saturday, Sept. 7
5 p.m. – vs. Grand View