GPAC’s most prolific goal scorer paves way to league win

By Taylor Mueller, Sports Information Assistant

YANKTON, S.D. – Sophomore Rachel Mussell continues to scorch opposing defenses as she buried two more goals to provide the offense in a 2-1 road victory over Mount Marty (4-8, 1-4 GPAC) on Saturday. Mussell pushed her team and GPAC-leading goal total to 11, edging in front of Doane’s Sara Cushing for the league high.

The Bulldogs’ first goal came off a free kick from junior Emily Fleming to Mussell, who staked Concordia (4-5, 2-2 GPAC) to a 1-0 advantage as part of a strong first-half showing.

“I was really impressed with our first half effort,” head coach Lisa White said. “The first half we had some really good stuff going on.”

“Our second half effort was really a lot of missed opportunities,” White said. “We got away from the style that we play, and that caused us some problems, but we were able to clear everything after our second goal to finish out the win.”

Mount Marty knotted things up at one a piece in the second half when the Bulldogs missed several opportunities to clear the ball, and the Lancers were able to capitalize.

With just one minute remaining, however, the Bulldogs found the back of the net off a Mussell follow up after a shot by sophomore Meredith Hein was dropped by the Lancer goalkeeper.

“I’m really happy with our determination to make sure we got the win,” White said. “They pushed each other and pushed hard for the win. I’m happy with their mentality as game went on. It was great to see their desire and how they fought to get the right result. I’m happy with how the team performed.”

Mussell, a Buffalo, Minn., native, has now scored at least one goal in five-straight games and at least one in seven of the team’s nine games this season.

Next up for the Bulldogs is a road trip to Midland (1-8-3, 1-2-2 GPAC) for a 4 p.m. contest on Wednesday. They will then come back to Seward on Oct. 13 for the team’s homecoming game versus Morningside (5-4-4, 1-2-2 GPAC) at 5 p.m.