SEWARD, Neb. – The first two games of the conference season have provided a confidence boost for the Concordia University women’s soccer team. The Bulldogs have notched shutout wins over Presentation and Northwestern while shaking off a tough run through the nonconference slate. Head coach Chris Luther’s squad will end its idle stretch by playing at Dordt on Saturday. The venue will be the Dordt Soccer Complex in Sioux Center, Iowa.
Saturday, Sept. 28 at Dordt (6-3, 3-0), 1 p.m.
After the program went six games in a row without scoring a goal, its current streak of three-straight games with at least one goal feels like something of an outburst. Luther says his team has been working this week on finishing its chances around the net. Concordia (2-6, 2-0 GPAC) is still seeking a consistent source of goals. Four Bulldogs have found the back of the net this season: Katie Miles (twice), Jaiden Beecher, Allee Downing and Madeline Haugen. Beecher recorded the first goal of her career in the 1-0 triumph over Northwestern.
The back-to-back shutouts are an encouraging sign. The Bulldogs are especially experienced on the back end with Lindsey Carley (2017 GPAC Defensive Player of the Year) at keeper and with all-conference center backs Tori Cera and Cheyenne Smith. Both Presentation and Northwestern managed only four total shots apiece against the Bulldogs. When called upon, Carley has come up big. She made a sprawling save to her right in the 89th minute to preserve the shutout of the Red Raiders.
Losses within conference play have been few and far between for Concordia. Over the program’s last 29 GPAC regular season games, the Bulldogs are a combined 24-1-4. The only defeat during that stretch was a 3-2 home loss to Briar Cliff on Oct. 27, 2018.
The Defenders have won six games in a row since an 0-3 start. They own conference wins over Presentation, Dakota Wesleyan and Doane. Dordt has accumulated 20 goals during the win streak. Alaina Van Zalen has already knocked in six goals this season and has 17 for her career. The Defenders were picked to finish seventh in the GPAC preseason poll.
Following the game at Dordt, Concordia will wait another week before returning to action on Saturday, Oct. 5 when it will host Mount Marty.