SEWARD, Neb. – A journey of nearly 450 miles to the south awaits the Concordia University women’s soccer team. The Bulldogs will attempt to put behind their season opening loss while playing twice in Siloam Springs, Ark., over a two-day span. As part of the John Brown University Classic, the Bulldogs will take on No. 13 John Brown on Thursday and No. 19 University of Science and Arts (Okla.) on Saturday.
John Brown University Classic | Siloam Springs, Ark.
Thursday, Aug. 29 | Concordia at (13) John Brown, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 31 | Concordia vs. Science and Arts, 1 p.m.
*Live video/stats can be followed here: JBUathletics.com/LIVE.
Head coach Chris Luther’s squad should find out a lot about itself as the most challenging nonconference slate in program history carries on. In the season opener, a rough first eight minutes of play sank Concordia in what amounted to a 2-0 home loss at the hands of Missouri Valley College. The final 80 or so minutes were a better reflection of a program that has been a consistent winner having reached the GPAC tournament final five years running. The Bulldogs actually outshot the Vikings, 7-5, in a defensive battle this past Saturday.
Luther’s lineup last week included some of the familiar standouts such as goalkeeper Lindsey Carley and 2018 first team All-GPAC selection Tori Cera. The lone senior in the starting 11 was Morgan Raska. Meanwhile, four freshmen got the nod: Aliyah Aldama, Jaiden Beecher, Allee Downing and Ellie Eason. Beecher and Eason are tasked with filling the outside back roles for a back four with experienced center backs in Cera and sophomore Cheyenne Smith. Now Concordia looks to find the back of the net for the first time this season. Downing is hoping to provide a spark up top.
This weekend’s event host will be the first opponent for the Bulldogs. John Brown advanced to the final site of the NAIA National Championships a year ago by defeating Kansas Wesleyan University in the opening round. The Golden Eagles (16-5-1) opened this season by topping LSU Shreveport (La.), 2-0. The shutout continued a theme from 2018 when John Brown allowed only 15 goals in 21 games. Science and Arts also went 16-5-1 in 2018. The Drovers were eliminated last season in the opening round of the national tournament in a 1-0 loss to Midland. Science and Arts returns leading goal scorer Emma Rice, who notched 22 goals in 2018.
Once it returns home, Concordia will get set to host Friends University (Kan.) at 5:30 p.m. CT on Wednesday, Sept. 4. The Bulldogs will back on the road and play at Tabor College (Kan.) on Sept. 7.