CRETE, Neb. – The Concordia University women’s soccer team wasted little time in asserting itself as the dominant team in a matchup with nearby Doane on a chilly Wednesday night (Oct. 10). Senior Maria Deeter notched another multi-goal game and three of her teammates also found the back of the net in a 5-0 wipe out in Crete.
Sixth-year head coach Greg Henson’s squad wasn’t about to become the Tigers’ first victim within conference play. The Bulldogs are unbeaten over their last 22 GPAC regular-season games (20-0-2) and now sit at 9-1-3 overall and at 6-0-1 in conference play this season.
For a program that has conference championship aspirations, Concordia came away from its latest outing feeling like certain aspects of its play could have been better. Said Henson, “I would have liked to have seen us get out to a better start. We were a little bit sluggish in the first half just the way we were playing. We challenged the players at halftime to play better in terms of possession, decision making and execution. Second half I thought we came out and dominated play and possession.”
Much of the team’s offensive production during conference play has been supplied bountifully by the likes of Maria Deeter, Lauren Martin and Brynn Suddeth. Deeter and Suddeth are the GPAC’s two most recent offensive players of the week. Deeter put the Bulldogs on top at the beginning of the eighth minute with a header that placed the ball into the goal with the help of a free kick from Tori Cera. Deeter added another goal and an assist while setting a new career high for goals in a season with 12.
Of course Henson is going to break down the little errors that could cost Concordia in a closer battle. This particular game wasn’t one of them. The Bulldogs ruled the shot count (34-4) and were never seriously threatened. It was a relatively routine shutout for goalkeeper Lindsey Carley, who made two saves. Henson gave credit to the work of midfielders Mikeila Martinez and Michaela Twito for their roles in controlling the tempo of the game.
“I’m happy with the second half specifically and the way we came out after we challenged them,” Henson said. “The players up front are continuing to have a big impact in games. Our back line was solid. Carl was pretty bored most of the night in goal.”
An offseason injury prevented sophomore Sarah Wuthrich from making her 2018 debut until last week. She pushed Concordia’s advantage to 3-0 with a goal in the 40th minute on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Lauren Martin continues her pursuit of a school single-season record in assists. Her season count is up to 14 after assisting Suddeth in the 11th minute and Deeter in the 55th. For an exclamation point, Martin added a goal of her own in the 70th minute.
Doane (2-11 overall) has slipped to 0-7 in conference play. The Tigers have been shut out in four-straight meetings with the Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs will return home on Saturday for senior day. Dakota Wesleyan (4-8, 2-5 GPAC) will serve as the opponent for a game set to kick off at 1 p.m. CT. Senior day festivities will take place prior to the start of the contest. In last season’s meeting with the Tigers, Concordia won by a 2-0 score.