SEWARD, Neb. – The Bulldogs are back in the win column thanks to this past weekend's 5-0 blowout win over visiting Dakota Wesleyan. The Concordia University Women’s Soccer team will attempt to build upon that victory as it travels to play Morningside on Wednesday before returning home to host Jamestown on Saturday. Head Coach Thomas Goines’ squad has suffered just one defeat this season and stands at 7-1-2 overall (2-1-2 GPAC). Currently, the Bulldogs are tied for fourth place with eight points in the GPAC standings.
This Week
Wednesday, Oct. 5 at Morningside (5-4-1, 2-2-1 GPAC), 5:30 p.m.
--Live Webcast
Saturday, Oct. 8 vs. Jamestown (6-4-2, 5-0 GPAC), 5:30 p.m.
--Live Webcast/Stats
By the numbers
· The 2022 Bulldogs became the first team in program history to go unbeaten through the first eight games of a season. Concordia started 6-0-2 before last week’s 3-1 loss at Midland. The run of three straight games without a win (two draws and a loss) meant Goines had to wait a bit for his 100th career coaching victory. It came this past Saturday in the rout of DWU. Goines won 43 games at NCAA Division III Concordia University Chicago, 30 at NCAA Division II Barton College (N.C.) and 27 so far at CUNE. Goines guided the Bulldogs to the 2020 GPAC tournament title.
· In a conference that has improved steadily over the last several years, Concordia currently ranks fourth best among GPAC teams, in terms of the first NAIA Women’s Soccer Modified Ratings Percentage Index (MRPI). At No. 43, the Bulldogs are situated behind No. 23 Hastings, No. 31 Jamestown and No. 34 Briar Cliff. The highest quality win so far on Concordia’s season profile was the 1-0 decision at Benedictine College (Kan.), ranked No. 66 in the MRPI. The Bulldogs also defeated No. 99 Southwestern College (Kan.).
· Through 10 games, the Bulldogs have outscored their opponents by a combined total of 27-8 and have outshot them, 160-71. The frustration prior to the Dakota Wesleyan game came from the inability to turn those shots into goals. Concordia settled for a draw with Dordt in a game it led with 66 seconds left on the clock, tied Northwestern despite an 18-5 shot advantage and lost at Midland even though it dominated in shots, 18-7. In other words, the Bulldogs are not far off from being 10-0 at this point.
· In the loss at Midland, Grace Soenksen notched the lone Concordia goal (assisted by Ellie Eason). The Bulldogs squandered a chance to tie the game in the 82nd minute when they missed a penalty kick. Concordia finally exploded in the second half of the win over Dakota Wesleyan. Eason found the back of the net twice in the game and one goal apiece was scored by Elena Ruiz, Lina Kirst and Kassidy Johnson. Eason now has four goals this season after having found the back of the net once in her first three collegiate seasons. The team goal scoring leader remains freshman Kierstynn Garner with seven.
· The three goals allowed at Midland were a season high for Bulldog opponents. Led by the two-time First Team All-GPAC center back Soenksen, Concordia has shut out six of its 10 foes. Now in her second season as the starting keeper, Kalie “Rocket” Ward continues to produce strong results. She has a record of 5-1-2 this season and her goals against average of 0.81 ranks 36th in the NAIA. The back line has been down a starter (and will continue to be for the remainder of the season) due to the injury of Taylor Slaymaker. Freshman Shi-Lynn Yon has helped fill the void.
The opponents
A perennially strong program, Morningside went 12-6-1 overall (7-4-1 GPAC) last season. The Mustangs have rebounded from back-to-back 3-0 road losses to Presentation and Jamestown in mid-September with league wins over Northwestern and Doane and a tie with Hastings. On the season, Head Coach Tom Maxon’s squad has scored 19 goals while also allowing 19. The team’s top goal scorer is Keyera Harmon with five.
Jamestown is the favorite to win the league and has not disappointed with a perfect 5-0 start to GPAC play. The Jimmies won the conference regular season title outright in 2021 and advanced to the opening round of the national tournament. Now in his 11th season as head coach, Nick Becker has led the program to six straight winning seasons. Concordia and Jamestown played each other in the 2020 GPAC tournament championship game with the result being a 2-1 Bulldog win. So far this 2022 season, the Jimmies have outscored their opponents, 17-10.
Next week
Two in-state foes will make up next week’s schedule as the Bulldogs will be at College of Saint Mary on Oct. 12 before hosting Hastings on Oct. 15.