Defense reigns in GPAC semifinal; Bulldogs earn national tourney bid

By Chase Benton on Nov. 7, 2024 in Women's Soccer

SEWARD, Neb. – In a matchup featuring two sides known for their attack, the Bulldogs’ defense clamped down the No. 3 seed Defenders in a 1-0 shutout inside Bulldog Stadium on Nov. 7. The sweltering No. 2 seed Concordia University, Nebraska Women’s Soccer team has won 10 consecutive games riding high into the upcoming conference tournament championship. The dominant Dawgs earned an NAIA national championship tournament bid and will make the trip for the first time since 2020.

CUNE matches its season win total from last season, producing a 13-5-1 overall record. The Bulldogs were 0-2 (2003, 04’) against Dordt in the postseason tournament until the Thursday night triumph.

“Dordt came in with a game plan that we didn’t expect," said Head Coach Nick Smith. “They came at us and pressed us. That led to a lot of midfield play. We were fortunate to get the goal tonight from KG (Garner) and were able to get out with a 1-0 win. It is a huge moment for this group. We have a tremendous team of young women who have done nothing but believe in what we are trying to do on the field. We are hard to beat right now. All we can say now is we are looking forward to playing Tuesday night for a title.”

The headline coming into the match centered on Karinna Tel and Kierstynn Garner, the two top goal scorers in the league. From experienced veterans and freshman faces, the Concordia midfield and defense controlled the Defenders’ potent offense (67 goals scored) and the NAIA’s top finisher Tel. A Dordt side that averages 18.1 shots per game only took seven (three on goal) in the 90 minutes. The visitors ran into a stingy third that gobbled up seemingly every potential equalizer and hasn’t given up a score in its last 615 minutes of play.

Stealing the spotlight were the likes of Elena Ruiz, Triniti Rowe, Hannah Kile, Sadie Mares, and Taylor Slaymaker. The vice captain defender ran out for the 50th start of her career as she and Rowe cleared out many of the opposing chances. Rowe, a Millard South product, constantly pushed the ball back to the midfield. Ruiz, out of Omaha South, nullified Tel, came out on top as a consistent ball winner against the elite forward.

Goalkeeper Angela Banks came away with her fifth straight clean sheet (four complete), grabbing three saves. Banks picked up where she left off, organizing her back line and has grown in her confidence in outrunning opposing strikers toward the ball.

Banks said, “It feels really good. We put in a lot of work in preseason and the season. So, it is really rewarding to make it to the final and nationals. It will be a lot of fun and a new experience for the team. Shout out to my defense, for real, my centerbacks got it. So baller when it is in the air. Triniti and Taylor don’t let anything by them. Our wingers always go up and back. They are my wall and protection.”

Go-ahead Garner did what she does best, leading the pack of wild Dawgs scoring the lone goal in the contest. The Kearney, Neb., prodigy tallied her 21st goal of the season and 48th of her career.

Concordia (13-5-1, 8-3 GPAC) will make the trip to Hastings (14-1-5, 8-0-3 GPAC) and square off for the GPAC tournament title on Tuesday (Nov. 12). The game is set to start at 7 p.m. CT at Lloyd Wilson Field. The Broncos bested the Bulldogs (2-0) in the first meeting on Sept. 25.