SEWARD, Neb. – The Bulldogs get the midweek off before hosting Benedictine College (Kan.) on Saturday (Sept. 9). First kick will be at 3 p.m. at Bulldog Stadium. The women’s soccer team won their Wednesday (Aug. 30) match against York University last week (1-0), on a goal from last week’s GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Offensive Player of the Week, Savannah Andrews. As the weekend came, Concordia faced off against Tabor College (Kan.) and fell (1-0) in an early goal loss to the Bluejays on Saturday evening (Sept. 2).
This Week
Saturday, Sept. 16 vs. Benedictine (4-1-1), 3 p.m.
--Live Webcast | Live Stats | Location: Bulldog Stadium
By the numbers
· The Bulldogs looked to move to 3-0 early in the season in their matchup against York on Wednesday (Aug. 30). Concordia was able to complete the tight 1-0 victory, outshooting their opponent, 9-4, and claimed the edge on corner kicks (10-4) as well. Savannah Andrews has become a prime target for the Bulldogs through four games and made the most of one of her chances in the second half. Kiestynn Garner outran a defender and crossed a one touch ball to Andrews, putting it in the far bottom corner for the game winner. The teams matched each other in saves (2), but the starter Bradi Ore claimed a clean sheet, her first this season and second in her career. Head coach Nick Smith put in 15 players including Sadie Mares, Sierra Springer, Ashlee Trujillo and Emily Howard to garner experience for this young but promising lineup.
· Concordia took the fight to Tabor and won seemingly every battle except on the final score on Wednesday night (Aug. 30). Falling 1-0, the Bulldogs had the upper hand in shots, 15-4, and in corners, 10-4. The dynamic duo, Kierstynn Garner and Savannah Andrews were unable to hit a shot past the keeper even after striking nine shots and four on goals. The Bluejays had one shot in the first 45 minutes off a set piece and it was the lone goal throughout the 90 minutes. Tabor, knowingly in the lead, played with numbers at the defensive sets and were able to affect the big time offense of Concordia. Three-time First Team All-GPAC honoree Grace Soenksen and Niah Kirchner got involved on both sides of the ball and with only one shot apiece they were unable to get the equalizer in the second half. With the loss to the Bluejays, the 6-0 nonconference win streak came to an end, giving them a chance to start a new streak this Saturday (Sept. 9).
· Offense may win games but the Bulldog defense has allowed an average of .75 goals per game through four contests. Led by Soenksen, the defense has only allowed 20 shots, which to put into perspective, their offense has shot 70 times. This Concordia defense doesn’t allow teams to get into their offensive sets before taking the ball away. When teams finally get a shot off, they have shot .150 percentage, thanks to starting goalkeepers Bradi Ore and Angela Banks. The corner kick differential is +22 so far in favor of the hometown squad this 2023 season. The back line varies by person but has mainstays Taylor Slaymaker, Senna McMullen, Hannah Kile, Shelby Rugg and rotated in Sadie Mares to anchor their back line.
· Andrews, the GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Offensive Player of the Week in week one, has been an emerging offensive presence this season. Savannah has four goals in four games including the game winner against York. She has shot 17 times with 10 being on goal making her shot on goal percentage .588. Her shot percentage is at .235 which leads the Bulldogs with those who have over five shots. She has already matched her freshman season of four goals with 14 games left on the docket. The Gretna, Neb. come up had one game winner last year in the win over Presentation.
Benedictine
The Ravens currently have a 4-1-1 record having won their last match to Avila University (Mo.), scoring a team high this season, 10-2. Benedictine also has wins over Friends University (Kan.), 1-0, Southwestern College (Kan.), 5-1, and common GPAC foe Doane, 4-0. The emerging leaders for the visitors have a couple seniors and a freshman at the top, Rachel Beffa (six goals, two assists), Riley Degner (three goals), and Payton Vogelbacher (three goals). Their assists leaders are sophomore Christine Znidarsic (four), freshman Jenna Wilken (three) and senior Faith Lewis (three). The team's offensive firepower creates chances as they have averaged 18.8 shots a game and scored 21 through six matches. Their shot on goal percentage sits at .584, averaging 6.33 corners per game.
Next Week
The Bulldogs will get back on the road this season traveling to Nebraska Wesleyan University (Sept. 14) and then will return home to host their conference opener on Saturday (Sept. 16). The matches are listed below and will be hosted at Abel Stadium and Bulldog Stadium.
Thursday, Sept. 14
7 p.m. – vs. Nebraska Wesleyan
Saturday, Sept. 16
3:30 p.m. – vs. Mount Marty