SEWARD, Neb. – Concordia University, Nebraska Women’s Soccer and 25th-ranked Hastings squared off in an all-out defensive bout on Wednesday (Oct. 14). A penalty and a last second shot before the first half buzzer made the difference in favor of the Broncos, 2-0, inside Bulldog Stadium. The long 10-game unbeaten streak has been snapped by the loss for the Bulldogs.
Head Coach Jason Weides and company drop to 7-3-3 overall and 6-1-1 in conference play.
“Effort was there, no doubt,” Coach Weides said. “They were ready for the game. We just weren't quite at our best, and when I say we, that includes us as coaches too. It's a game we'd love to have again, but at the end of the day, you're playing good teams, and sometimes you fall a little short. They caused us problems, and they're a challenging team to play against. We limited their quality chances, so it's a little painful knowing how their goals came. I love this team. I love their competitive spirit, their energy and how they've continued fighting through adversity. But this group, collectively, shows up and competes every single time.”
Each defense ruled the first half as zero shots on target were had in the run of play until the 43rd minute of the contest. Hastings first quality shot came from a penalty kick via Avery Higgins (21st minute) to give the visitors the first half lead. As the last couple of seconds ticked off the clock in the opening half, the Broncos’ Madie Miles fired a from long range shot that made it past the hands of the Concordia goalkeeper.
McKennah West took the only shot on goal. With two opposing players fighting for the ball, the possession was pushed towards West from seven yards outside the box. The Lincoln Southwest product shot a low take to force the Hastings save.
Both sides were shutout in the second half as each midfield pressed balls out of play by forcing bad passes past the sidelines. Kyana Rios, Addie Snyder, Sadie Mares and Sierra McElhannon kept the pressure on for the 90 minutes. The Broncos were able to muster up three shots on goal as the Bulldog attack was held in check with zero on frame over the second 45 minutes.
The CUNE pressing 11 made it difficult for the conference’s best offense clamping down on the ball when the visitors were nearing the box. Abby Haynes and McElhannon booted one shot apiece.
Hastings (11-1-2, 6-0-1 GPAC) made 12 total shots with three players shooting twice. The GPAC leading goal scorer Madison Rhodes notched an assist but held scoreless in her two shots. The Broncos will compete against Dordt next.
Concordia will make its longest in-conference road trip to Waldorf (2-11, 0-7 GPAC) on Saturday. The Bulldogs will take the field at 5:30 p.m. CT in Forest City. The Bulldogs defeated the Warriors, 10-0, in 2025.