GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – The Bulldogs graced the Aquinas College Soccer Field for their 2nd round matchup against the No. 5 Saints (Mich.) on Saturday (Nov. 23). Concordia University, Nebraska Women’s Soccer shook out the nerves in the second half but not before Aquinas tallied three unanswered in the first half, falling in a 4-0 loss.
Head Coach Nick Smith’s squad ended its season with a 14-7-1 overall record and claimed the first win in the program’s history at the NAIA national championships first round.
“We knew coming into this game we would have to do just about everything right”, said Coach Smith. “We made a few mistakes early in the game. That allowed Aquinas to open us up a few times and score a couple goals. Playing Aquinas from behind was always going to be tough. Particularly in the second half, we were able to get the ball down to try and get at them a bit. All in all, really proud of the group and the team effort today, then also the season itself. I’m just really proud of these young women and what they were able to accomplish this year.”
After an opening round shutout over Benedictine, CUNE had a rough start and found itself down two before the end of the 13th minute. Marie-Louise Abild tacked on her second goal of the game to go up three before the Bulldogs settled in against an ultra-talented Saints team.
A calming presence came from Senior Taylor Slaymaker and an unexpected freshman Triniti Rowe gaining confidence as the game continued. Rowe, out of Omaha, Neb., proved to be a force against a highly touted opponent in Aquinas.
Smith said, “Trin, coming in as a true freshman, playing full games these last three days. It was a good experience for her and also playing an important position in the center back of a back three. She communicated well and challenged well. The decision making from her was really mature from what you would expect in a freshman.”
The entire side grew comfortable in the last 40 or so minutes and fired off two shots on goal via Kierstynn Garner and Mirarosa Gyllenswan.
Niah Kichner, Elena Ruiz and Gyllenswan began to be the ball winners we have known pushing it forward to a defense that held off Garner and company in the final third. Sadie Mares and Hannah Kile joined in as the back line rendered the home team scoreless for the rest of the bout.
Aquinas would add one more at the beginning of the second half and were led by Abild (assist) and Sydney Shenk (goal, two assists). The Saints will make the trip to the final site, Pensacola, Fla., for the 41st Annual Women’s Soccer National Championship (Dec. 2-9).
Concordia’s record breaking season comes to a close after finishing second in the GPAC regular season and tournament. In nationals play, this team owns the first goal and lone win in the program's history. They also have the longest win streak (10) in the 28 years of the program along with many other records during the 2024 campaign. The Bulldogs will graduate nine seniors who poured into this year's team and retain a potential upcoming fifth year Slaymaker.