SEWARD, Neb. – The red hot Concordia Women’s Soccer squad set College of Saint Mary ablaze in the first frame scoring four unanswered in the 4-0 trouncing. Collecting yet another GPAC victory in style, the Bulldogs tied (2022, 2003) the longest regular season winning streak (six) in program history. Kierstynn Garner was on either end of every score collecting three assists and a goal in the 90 minutes.
After starting 0-3, CUNE has picked up a freight train-like steam barreling to 6-3 in the conference and 9-5-1 overall.
“We were really prepared,” said Head Coach Nick Smith. “All of our front players were really clicking. The ball was moving quickly and we scored some really nice goals. She (Garner) was fantastic for us tonight. Consistently dangerous. Obviously, providing as well as scoring for her. We could pick anyone across the field tonight. The ball was moving really well and we were on the same page in those attacking moments and that made us dangerous.”
Concordia oozed confidence and it didn’t take long for the visiting Flames to figure out it was inside the Dawg’s house after giving up a goal in the 2nd minute to the home squad. Savannah Andrews received an assist via Garner, cut back, and kicked in the early score and eventual game winner. A native of Gretna, Neb., Andrews has caught fire scoring five goals in the last four contests.
Andrews said, “I just want us to win. We all want to win. I’m going to put away my chances when I get them. I actually scored my only goal with my foot today. The ability to get multiple goals tonight from four different players is great for all of us. It is just going to build our confidence going into the GPAC tournament. That’s huge.”
Garner was relentless on the offensive third, firing four shots, and was seemingly part of every possession on the attack. The Kearney, Neb., native scored the 40th goal of her career and got everyone involved directing the Dawgs all out offensive blitz.
CUNE found breathing room from a Mirarosa Gyllenswan header into the back of the net. The Menifee, Calif., product scored her first goal as a Bulldog and the 10th score of her collegiate career.
The midfielders and defense made the difference in the shutout as they stymied College of Saint Mary to only two first half shots. With the Flames trying to push back in the match, Angela Banks corralled five saves and was the rock solid last line of defense in the second frame. Banks, a Saint Joseph product, collected five saves and more impressively her third clean sheet in 2024.
Ashlee Trujillo collected her first goal of the season and put a stamp on the blowout win. The Bulldogs now have 11 players having scored a goal. Midfielder Niah Kirchner collected the lone assist in which Garner was on the receiving end. The confidence has continued to build for this team as they have played 31 different players and have been a major part of the growth in the winning streak.
After tonight’s win, Concordia has surged to No. 2 in the standings and will look to continue the run in the next contest. CUNE (9-5-1, 6-3 GPAC) will travel for its final time in the regular season slate facing Mount Marty (3-10-1, 1-8 GPAC) on Saturday. First whistle is set for 1 p.m. CT at Crane Youngworth Stadium. The Bulldogs are 22-0 in series history against the Lancers.