Seward, Neb. – After six nonconference contests, Concordia Women’s Soccer will enter into conference play hosting Northwestern and travel to Sioux Center to face Dordt over the weekend. The Bulldogs recently played three games in six days and came out 2-1 versus Benedictine College (Kan.), York University and Nebraska Wesleyan University. Head Coach Nick Smith’s squad has earned a 3-2-1 overall record in 2024.
This Week
Wednesday, Sept. 18 vs. Northwestern (0-5-1), 5:30 p.m.
Live Webcast | Live Stats | Location: Bulldog Stadium (Seward, Neb.)
Saturday, Sept. 21 at Dordt (4-1), 2 p.m.
Live Webcast | Live Stats | Location: Dordt Soccer Complex (Sioux Center, Iowa)
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By the numbers
· The Bulldogs came out sluggish versus the Ravens and allowed two scores within three minutes of each other. That would ultimately define the 2-0 win for Benedictine in a bottom-line view of the match. While Concordia was able to outshoot the visitors in the 2nd half of the match, it was unable to make it count in the attacking third. The Ravens held a 12-9 shot advantage but the teams broke even in shots on goal (4).
· The Bulldogs were able to get back on track with a 2-1 win over York. Entering the final minute of the first half, Kierstynn Garner attracted a few defenders outside of the box and sent a pass to an open Hannah Haas. The Colorado Springs, Colo., native received the ball with a touch and crushed a bending shot to the opposite side of the goal for her first score of the season. In the 49th minute, the Panther goalkeeper kicked the ball in an attempt to get it out of the box and hit the back of another teammate and into their own goal leading to a game winning score.
· In its second consecutive road match, Concordia acquired the first shutout of the season with a 2-0 2 win over Nebraska Wesleyan. Kierstynn Garner and Hannah Haas collected a goal apiece but the effort put on by the full Bulldog squad was evident in the triumph. The defense allowed 10 shots (most in the final minutes) but only two were on goal through the 90 minutes. Without all-conference center backs Taylor Slaymaker and Hannah Kile, Concordia used veteran Rosie Gyllenswan and freshman Triniti Rowe to fill in the gaps in the back line.
· The conference has only two teams with four wins so far, including Dordt (4-1) and Hastings (4-1-2). Nipping on their heels, Concordia (3-2-1), Mount Marty (3-2-1) then Doane follows with a 2-5 record. Morningside (1-1-2), College of Saint Mary (1-3-2) are just before the four winless teams: Briar Cliff (0-4-1), Northwestern (0-5-1), Waldorf (0-5) and Midland (0-0), who hasn’t played a match.
· Haas, a 5th year senior, has doubled her career goals (four) in the past two games with back to back scores. The Colorado Springs, Colo., native is making the most of her minutes with a low four shots on the season and a .750 shot on goal percentage. The product, out of Doherty High School, has seen her role grow in past seasons producing five points though six games with her previous season high sitting at six (2023). In both of her scores, Garner was on the assist end of the connection.
· Garner, a junior forward, has scored six goals (team leader) and tallied two assists. With the game-winner versus Nebraska Wesleyan, she has 14 game winning goals in her career and solidifies her as No. 1 in the program in that category. The Kearney High School graduate has two game winners this season and seven in 2023.
· The Massey Ratings have Concordia rated 73 with a strength of schedule rating of 86. Massey has the upcoming opponents slotted 162nd (Northwestern) and 43rd (Dordt). The teams strength of schedule rankings has the Red Raiders (124) and Defenders (102).
Northwestern
Northwestern is winless (0-5-1) in its six contests having played common opponents Graceland University (5-3) and Bellevue (5-0). The Red Raiders have scored 11 goals while allowing 21 and are shooting 15.3 times a game. They have four assists as a team and shoot a .511 shot on goal percentage. Their leading scorers are Kylie Baccam (3), Avril Baccam (2) and Marissa Talamantes (2). Avril has all four assists for Northwestern and a team high 16 shots on goal. The Red Raiders have split minutes in goal with Genesis Maldonado (270) and Peyton Anderson (225). Maldonado has 23 saves and Anderson has 19.
Dordt
The Defenders are 4-1 coming into the week and will be a tough contest on the road in Sioux Center. Common opponents include wins over a then-ranked No. 25 Benedictine (1-0) and Nebraska Wesleyan (5-0). They will travel to Midland in the Warriors season opener before facing the Bulldogs. Dordt has scored a scorching 18 goals and has only allowed 4 total. Averaging almost four goals a game (3.60), the Defenders average 13.6 shots per game and surprisingly allow 15 a game. The Defenders have a .605 shot on goal percentage and have a high 15 assists out of their 18 goals. They are led by a two-headed monster attack in Karinna Tel (five goals, three assists) and Joslyn Terpstra (three goals, three assists). Tel, the 2023 GPAC Offensive Player of the Year, has 17 shots with a .529 shot on goal percentage. Jenna Wright has played 360 minutes between the posts and has 29 saves with a .906 save percentage, earning national player of the week for her game against Benedictine College.
Next Week
The Bulldogs will continue conference play against Hastings and Briar Cliff. Concordia will host the Broncos and Chargers at Bulldog Stadium, and the Briar Cliff match is part of a big homecoming weekend schedule. The matches are listed below.
Wednesday, Sept. 25
5:30 p.m. – vs. Hastings
Saturday, Sept. 28
5:30 p.m. – vs. Briar Cliff (Homecoming)