YANKTON, S.D. – Competing in its final regular season road match, Concordia University, Nebraska Women’s Soccer steamrolled Mount Marty (6-0) in the shutout on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 26). The Bulldogs have seized the longest regular season win streak (seven) in the program’s history. Kierstynn Garner was a menace for the second straight contest scoring two goals and four assists.
Concordia holds its position in second place for the GPAC with a 7-3 record and 10-5-1 overall claiming the second straight 10 win season under Head Coach Nick Smith.
“We knew the focus was going to be on us,” said Coach Smith. “Coming to Yankton is tough because the field is really narrow. A big emphasis was ball movement and just picking and choosing moments either to stretch them out or push the ball up the field vertically. The decision making from our group was quite good. We created a lot of opportunities and were able to score six goals, so we did enough to get the win.”
The Bulldogs came out swinging early and tallied two goals (4’, 11’) in less than 10 minutes of each other. The scores came from the usual suspects as Garner and Savannah Andrews have both raised their level of play bolstering the front lines in the program’s historic run. The ultra-talented Kearney High product has three goals and seven assists in the past two outings, while Andrews has scored six goals in the past five.
In the last three games, the Bulldogs have chomped down on opponents with a +18 goal differential. All three were shutouts and the second consecutive for goalkeeper Angie Banks. The Downey, Calif., native has four clean sheets on the year. The depth is starting to rear its head only allowing three shots to the Lancers while scooping up 21 on the attack. Almost adnauseam, Smith continued to say they were a growing team early in the season and now the likes of many impact players are coming into form just in the nick of time in the defensive third.
“The group together is just growing in confidence back there. Angie is a big part of that. She is one in particular, since the Morningside game, has been a really confident player. She does a really good job of organizing the people in front of her. Trin (Rowe) and Avery (Black) have been getting used to this level. Then we have had consistent performances from Taylor (Slaymaker), Kile, Senna (McMullen) and Sadie as well.”
Freshman Kyana Rios has gained confidence kicking in one goal and an assist on the day. Hannah Kile, Sierra Springer and Garner would each score a goal in the second frame as Concordia has totaled 12 different players having hit the back of the net this season. Mirarosa Gyllenswan also booted in an assist.
Concordia (10-5-1, 7-3 GPAC) will play in front of the Bulldog faithful for the final time in the scheduled slate and host Midland (4-3-3 GPAC) on Wednesday. First kick is set for 5:30 at Bulldog Stadium. The Warriors knocked the Bulldogs out of the GPAC tournament (2-0) in the semifinals in Seward last season.