HASTINGS, Neb. – Down 2-0 early, Concordia used their limited chances to roar back into the match at Hastings on Saturday night (Oct. 14). Kierstynn Garner (KG) scored two consecutive goals to knot the two teams (2-2), unable to get the third late to take the win on the road. With this match, the Bulldogs remain tied in the conference for first place with 20 points apiece. Both teams have three GPAC opponents remaining before the regular season conference champion is crowned.
The Dawgs are 10-3-2 overall and 6-1-2 in the Great Plains Athletic Conference. Head coach Nick Smith reviewed his thoughts on certain points in the game and what helped the team bounce back.
“I looked at the coaching staff (after giving up back to back goals) and said I guess we are going figure out how much we are going to grow up in this moment,” commented coach Smith. “It was tough to concede the two goals because they were within three minutes of each other. Both were carbon copies of each other. Hastings wanted it more in those moments and if you don’t see out those plays, they are going to punish you for it. We brought the team together and changed up our shape. After, I feel like we gained confidence and it gave us some belief.”
The Broncos showed why they were a ranked team, as they were up two goals after 25 minutes looking to pile on and take full ownership of the conference. Both scores came from rebounds off two great saves from goalkeeper Bradi Ore, who tallied nine on the night. Hastings, having been the only team to score two non-penalty goals against Concordia, kept trying to pour on scores as the Bulldog backline stiffened.
Garner, having missed an open goal shot earlier in the match, made the Broncos pay in the 38th minute of the match. Off a corner kick, Savannah Andrews slid the ball to Kiestynn, just a few feet from the goal line. She kicked a score past the keeper, as hardly anyone moved, not expecting the ball to bend in on its own for her first goal of the evening.
Having spent plenty of time on the field together, Niah Kirchner passed Garner open as she ran down the ball in the box in the second half. Seeing the goalkeeper running out, KG chipped the ball over her opponent for her second score of the night. With this goal, Garner stayed the league’s leading goal scorer (15) and reclaimed the lead in points scored (34) for the GPAC.
Both Garner and Ore had highs and lows throughout the match, whether it be giving up a goal or missing an open net opportunity. Coach Smith commented on the two players' resiliency and fortitude to make the most of their next chances. “Kierstynn is a tremendous player, and shooters are gonna shoot. Sometimes that means you miss. She got the second opportunity in the first half and she made the ball and showed her mental strength. Bradi is a player who had to wait her turn (at Concordia). Ever since she grabbed the No. 1 spot and she has been a more confident player.”
Concordia (10-3-2, 6-1-2 GPAC) travels to Briar Cliff on Wednesday (oct. 18) and will face off on Faber Field. First kick is set for an early 3:30 p.m. CT start. The Bulldogs will need to win the next three matches to guarantee the regular season title, starting with the Chargers.