Bulldogs end regular season with 2-1 loss at Northwestern

Northwestern College scored a pair of goals early in the second half and held on for a 2-1 women’s soccer win over Concordia on Saturday evening in Orange City.  It was the second straight loss for the Bulldogs, who finish the regular season with a record of 9-8 overall and 6-4 in the GPAC.  Northwestern moved to 4-11-3 overall and 2-8 in conference play with the win. 

Just five minutes into the second half, Tyler Farr put Northwestern on top with a goal.  Alli Dunkelberger had the assist on the first Red Raider goal.  Alyssa Duren added an unassisted goal in the 53rd minute to increase the Northwestern lead to 2-0.  Concordia scored in the 71st minute on a penalty kick goal by Becky Walrath (Lincoln, Neb.), but the Bulldogs were unable to rally down the stretch. 

Concordia held a 22-17 overall shot advantage in the match.  The Bulldogs also held a 7-2 advantage in corner kicks.  Kelly Ross (Calgary, AB) and Rachel Gordon (Lincoln, Neb.) each had six shots for Concordia in the loss.  Ariel Harris (Valley Center, Calif.) made seven saves for Concordia in a losing effort.  Dunkelberger had a game-high seven shots for Northwestern.  Wendy Hofmeyer made 14 saves for the Raiders to earn the win. 

The Bulldogs finished fourth in the conference standings with a 6-4 record.  Dakota Wesleyan and Dordt College also finished with 6-4 records, but Concordia holds the tiebreaker over both of those teams.  Concordia will open GPAC Tournament play on November 3.  Official tournament brackets will be released yet this weekend.  Stay tuned to www.cune.edu/athletics for times and locations for all Bulldog postseason soccer contests.