SEWARD, Neb. – For the first time since 2020, Concordia University, Nebraska Women’s Soccer seized its spot in the GPAC tournament championship set for Tuesday (Nov. 12). The second seeded Bulldogs’ victory train keeps chugging with 10 consecutive since September and will be tested versus No. 1 seed Hastings. In the semifinal, Head Coach Nick Smith’s squad took out Dordt (1-0) in a surprising defensive battle at Bulldog Stadium.
GPAC Championship
GPAC FINAL: Tuesday, Nov. 12 at Hastings (14-1-5, 8-0-3 GPAC), 7 p.m.
--Live Webcast | Live Stats | Location: Lloyd Wilson Field (Hastings, Neb.)
--Admission: $10 for adults/senior citizens, $3 for K-12; only those with NAIA passes and GPAC student ID’s are admitted free of charge.
By the numbers
· Concordia finds confidence in the past postseason success the program has enjoyed in recent years. Over the previous 11 GPAC tournaments, the Bulldogs have reached the semifinals eight times and have played in the championship game six times (five straight years from 2014 through 2018). The program celebrated GPAC postseason championships in 2014, 2016 and 2020 and is 3-3 all-time in the conference final. Of the six championship games, three were against Hastings as CUNE went 1-2 winning in 2014. Midfielder Hannah Haas and goalkeeper Bradi Ore were a part of the 2020 championship squad. Coach Smith has a 3-1 record in the tournament run but has gone further in his second showing.
· The home team fired off 11 shots to the Defenders’ seven in the GPAC semifinal. Dordt, averaging 18.1 shots per contest was held to a stifling three shots on goal. Elena Ruiz and Niah Kirchner controlled the midfield as Taylor Slaymaker and Triniti Rowe took away quality chances consistently from one of the GPAC’s best offenses. Kierstynn Garner made the visitors pay in the first half, smashing in the 18th game winner of her career as Mirarosa Gyllenswan tacked on the assist. Savannah Andrews and Kierstynn Garner had four shots apiece, while Gyllenswan (two) and Kyana Rios (one) had the other three. Keeper Angie Banks needed three saves to complete her fourth in a row.
· The Bulldogs had gathered a couple of conference wins but on Oct. 12, they played their most complete game in the regular season. Perhaps a product of senior day reflection, Concordia was in control of the match for almost the entire 90 minutes. Morningside scored early and less than two minutes later Garner and company responded with an equalizer. The home Dawgs would score two more in the second half (Andrews, Sierra Springer) and had possession for a majority of the match in what would eventually be against the fourth best team in the league. A major moment came when the visitors were given a penalty late and captain Banks denied the try to seal the 3-1 victory and move to .500 (3-3) in the conference.
· Sept. 25 was the last time the red hot Bulldogs saw defeat in a 2-0 defensive battle against Hastings. Dekota Schubert and Madison Rhodes scored in the seventh and eighth minute, as the young 2024 Concordia team took their lumps early. For the rest of the 83 minutes Coach Smith’s team would hold the visitors to six shots (two on goal). With the offense only able to take three shots, the defenses held the game to a stalemate for the remainder of the game.
· Banks was selected as the GPAC Player of the Week for her play against Midland and College of Saint Mary (GPAC Quarterfinals). The Downey, Calif., product registered two clean sheets and seven saves. She has six complete shutouts totaling 65 saves and a .756 save percentage.
· Garner, the two time GPAC offensive player of the week has totaled 21 goals (2nd in GPAC), 12 assists (2nd) and 52 total points (2nd) in the 2024 campaign. The Kearney, Neb., native is 5th in the program’s single season records in goals scored and assists (three others). Among the top goal scorers in the league, the Kearney, Neb., forward leads with the best shot percentage (.350) and shot on goal percentage (.733). Garner has totaled 48 career goals sitting at No. 4 in the program’s history. The go-ahead Garner has pushed the program’s record to 18 game winning scores in her career. She has passed Jennifer Davis (2003) at No. 3 in single season points scored (54) and No. 5 in career points scored (113).
· Averaging 10.2 shots per game, the Bulldogs are dangerous when getting a kick on the ball, ranked No. 6 in the NAIA in shot percentage (.256). Those leading the pack (at least 10 shots) are freshman Kyana Rios (.333), Garner (.350), Andrews (.222) and Hannah Haas (.182). Concordia’s leader in goals scored: Garner (21), Andrews (eight), Rios (four) Gyllenswan (three) and Sierra Springer (three). There have been 13 Bulldogs score this year and 19 have contributed points in the deep roster.
· During the 11 game dominant run, Concordia have averaged 3.60 goals per game, while making it seemingly impossible to score for their opponents (0.30). They have proven to play superior to their last nine opponents in many statistics. Categories of dominance: goals (36-3), shot percentage (.308-.040), shot attempts (117-75), corner kicks (44-29) and assists (29-3). The Dawg protectors have made it tough in the defensive third almost doubling the conference foes in shots on goal (79-43).The defense has recorded seven shutouts and four complete clean sheets by Angela Banks. The Saint Joseph High product has collected 37 saves, 0.34 goals allowed average and a .925 save percentage in the 793 minute stretch. Taylor Slaymaker, Triniti Rowe, Avery Black, Sadie Mares, Hannah Kile and Senna McMullen have shut down on opposing offenses, only allowing 7.5 shots per game.
The opponent
The Broncos won the regular season conference championship and defeated No. 8 seed Midland (4-0) and No. 4 seed Morningside (2-0) to take their place in the GPAC final. Hastings went unbeaten (8-0-3) in league play while ending the scheduled slate with two ties (Doane, CSM). In 20 games, the Broncos have scored 53 goals on 19.4 shots a game and a .137 shot percentage. With a 6-1-5 home record, the side has a .535 SOG percentage and 41 assists. Dekota Schubert paces the team with 15 goals (3rd in GPAC) with Madison Rhodes behind her having eight. Megan Lampe has 12 assists on the year, tied for second in the conference with Garner. The defense has surmounted 11 shutouts tied for eighth in the NAIA. The Broncos switch between goalkeepers Jackson Pedersen and Tatiana Villasenor. Pedersen has tallied 990 minutes and 39 saves on an .830 save percentage allowing 0.73 goals per 90 minutes.
GPAC tournament pairings
Quarterfinals – Saturday, Nov. 2
(1) Hastings def. (8) Midland, 4-0
(4) Morningside def. (5) Briar Cliff, 2-0
(3) Dordt def. (6) Doane, 3-0
(2) Concordia def. (7) College of Saint Mary, 3-0
Semifinals – Thursday, Nov. 7
(1) Hastings def. (4) Morningside, 2-0
(2) Concordia def. (3) Dordt, 1-0
Championship – Tuesday, Nov. 12
(2) Concordia at (1) Hastings, 7 p.m.