GAME NOTES: No. 21 Bulldogs to host York College before heading west
SEWARD, Neb. – The No. 21 Concordia women’s soccer team will host York College Tuesday, Sept. 15 at Bulldog Stadium with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m. On Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 19-20, Concordia will be traveling to Colorado. There, the ‘Dogs will face Sterling College (Kan.) on Saturday at 1 p.m. and Johnson & Wales University (Colo.) on Sunday with a kickoff time slated for noon.
MATCH INFO
York College (0-7) at No. 21 Concordia University (3-1)
Tuesday, Sept. 15, 7 p.m. CT
Site: Bulldog Stadium
Webcast: Concordia Sports Network
MATCH INFO
No. 21 Concordia University (3-1) at Sterling College (Kan.) (3-1)
Saturday, Sept. 19, 1 p.m. CT
Site: Manual High School in Denver, Colo.
MATCH INFO
No. 21 Concordia University (3-1) at Johnson & Wales University (Colo.) (0-6)
Sunday, Sept. 20, 1 p.m. CT
Site: Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo.
Last time out
In a rematch of last year’s national tournament opening round clash, powerfully built and sixth-ranked Benedictine College (Kan.) backed its lofty national ranking with a 4-0 win over the 21st-ranked Concordia University women’s soccer team inside Bulldog Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The previously unbeaten Bulldogs had hoped to secure their second victory of the season over a top 25 opponent.
Third-year head coach Greg Henson’s squad dropped to 3-1 overall. Concordia entered the contest with a mark of 9-1-1 in its last 11 home games.
GPAC individual rankings
Jeannelle Condame – assists per game, second (0.67) total assists, tied for fitth (2)
Maria Deeter – points per game, 10th (1.5), total points, tied for ninth (6), goals per game, tied for ninth (0.75), total goals, tied for eighth (3), shots per game, tied for 10th (3.00)
Leigha McConnell – assists per game, tied for 10th (0.33), total assists, tied for ninth (1)
Chrissy Lind – goals against average, second (1.39)
Jessica Skerston – total points, tied for eighth (5), goals per game, tied for 10th (0.67) total goals, tied for seventh (2), total assists, tied for ninth (1), shots per game, third (4.5), shots on goal per game, tied for sixth (2.00)
Esther Soenksen – points per game, first (3.75), total points, tied for first (15), goals per game, first (1.75), total goals, first (7), total assists, tied for ninth (1), shots per game, tied for ninth (3.25), shots on goal per game, fourth (2.25), game winning goals per game, tied for fourth (0.25)
Quotable
“The biggest thing is we have to eliminate the mistakes that we make and the opportunities that we give the other team. When you play a team of this caliber, they’re going to take advantage and they definitely did today.”
-Head coach Greg Henson on the loss from No. 6 Benedictine
Scouting the York College Panthers
The Panthers of York College are holding a record of 0-6, coming off an 0-2 loss from No. 13 Hastings College Saturday, Sept. 12. The Panthers have already been defeated by the No. 21 Concordia Bulldogs once earlier this season, 0-7. As a team, the Panthers have taken 25 shots, 16 on goal for a percentage of 0.640. The Panthers are led by head coach Ryan Davis who is in his second season at York College. Davis is assisted by Jordan Veness and Heather Negley.
Scouting the Sterling Warriors
The Warriors of Sterling College carry an overall record of 3-1 after suffering its first loss Saturday, Sept. 12 to No. 16 Bellevue. The last match up between the Bulldogs and Warriors was Sept. 12, 2014 when Concordia defeated Sterling, 1-0. CUNE holds the advantage 5-1 over Sterling in games dating back to 2008. As a team, the Warriors have taken 95 shots, 53 on goal for a percentage of 0.558. The Warriors are led by head coach Justin Morris who is in his 17th season at Sterling College. Morris is assisted by Nic Martinez.
Scouting the Johnson & Wales Wildcats
The Wildcats of Johnson & Wales University are 0-6 overall on the season. As a team, the Wildcats have a shots on goal percentage of .0674 (31-46). Goal scorers for JWU are Esmeralda Palencia, Arianna Flores, Briel Madler and Asianna Harris who all have one goal apiece. The Wildcats are led by head coach Jennifer Colley who is in her third season at JWU. Assisting Colley is Maggie Manville and Beau Jackson.
Bulldogs in the rankings
For the second time in program history, the Concordia University women’s soccer team has been ranked in the NAIA’s top 25. Announced on Tuesday, Aug. 18, the poll listed the Bulldogs at No. 21 which is the highest-ever ranking for the program. The GPAC preseason poll was also announced Tuesday, Aug. 18 where the Bulldogs found themselves ranked second behind regular-season champion Hastings. This placing was the highest preseason ranking dating back to 2006.
Up next on the pitch
After a trip to Colorado, the No. 21 Concordia Bulldogs will open GPAC play at Northwestern College Saturday, Sept. 26. The kickoff is set for 5 p.m. in Orange City, Iowa.