LINCOLN, Neb. – After being shut out the past two games, the Bulldogs were on a warpath in Lincoln, Neb. for a victory against Nebraska Wesleyan University on Thursday night (Sept. 14). Over 24 minutes into the first half, the floodgates opened up for the Concordia offense scoring three goals in the next 20 minutes leading to a 4-0 win. The visitors dominated the ball on both sides with a 15-1 shot advantage (13 on goal) in favor of the Bulldogs.
Concordia got back in the win column, moving up to a 4-2 overall record in their 2023 nonconference slate. Head coach Nick Smith spoke on the offensive attack and adding new goal scorers to the mix.
“We finally found our shooting boots. We came into tonight having a plan to be more ruthless on the front end. The focus has been on purposeful finishing all week. We want to make the keeper make the save. We added two new goal scorers. Hannah Haas had her first goal of the season and Sierra Springer had her first collegiate goal. She (Springer) has been tending upward for us and has earned her first official points.”
Frustrating long vertical passes defined the 0-0 deadlock through the first 24 minutes of play by the Bulldogs.
Kierstynn Garner, having been limited in minutes as of late, showed the type of offensive juggernaut she could be for Concordia. Poking the ball to the right of the defender, she darted left and erased the defender in her wake, scoring the first goal (unassisted) for the Dawgs.
In the 35th minute Springer, looking to get in on the action, took the ball from a back line defender in the box with eyes for a second goal. She passed the ball to an attacking Kassidy Johnson but it was tapped away by the keeper to a pressing Haas who knocked down the first goal of her junior season.
Up 2-0 with less than a minute in the half, Lily Barber stole the ball and hit a perfect tear drop pass to Sierra Springer, striking the ball past the keeper for her first collegiate goal.
With a 3-0 lead coming out of the break, the offense gained confidence from their 9-1 shot advantage over the Prairie Wolves through 45 minutes of play. The Bulldog defense clamped down on the Nebraska Wesleyan offense as only one shot was had by the home team throughout the match.
Garner would score the fourth goal for her first multi-goal game of the season. Springer also added two assists gaining four points in one game. Goalkeeper Angela Banks had one save, and was relieved by goalie Zoe Lavigne for the second half against NWU.
Head coach Smith was happy to get multiple players (21) on the field with some being their first collegiate action on Thursday.
Concordia (3-2) enters conference play, hosting Mount Marty (1-3) on Saturday afternoon (Sept. 16). First kick is set for 3:30 p.m. CT in Bulldog Stadium. The Bulldogs are undefeated (21-0) against the Lancers all-time.