GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Cheers echoed across the campus of first round host Aquinas College (Mich.) as the Bulldogs clinched their first NAIA national tournament victory in the program’s 28-year existence. The rematch saw Concordia University, Nebraska Women’s Soccer put two unanswered in the back of the net for a 2-0 shutout of Heart of America Athletic Conference powerhouse Benedictine College (Kan.). Mirarosa Gyllenswan and Kierstynn Garner scored the first two national postseason goals ever.
The Bulldogs move to 14-6-1 overall and Head Coach Nick Smith surpasses his total wins from his first season.
“This is a team now, that has their names all over the record books”, said Coach Smith. “We talk all the time about leaving a legacy within the program and to have an opportunity to do something no one in Concordia Women’s Soccer history has been able to do before. We knew that our preparation was good. We knew if we would come out and perform, we were going to be able to make some noise today. This group of young women came through.”
After a scoreless 81 minutes, the supreme edge of a go-ahead was mounting as the minutes passed. Garner kicked the ball in on a corner opportunity and went off a Raven defender to Gyllenswan as she smashed in the eventual game winner. The Menifee, Calif., senior will forever be the first to score in the NAIA championships tournament.
With time winding down, Benedictine was looking for the equalizer when the ball was headed out of the opposing penalty area. Garner pushed the ball out and it was a foot race from box to box with the speedy Kearney, Neb., native winning outright. KG moved to the right and pushed it just past the Raven keeper, leaving no doubt in the first round. With the goal and assist, the forward breaks the single season points record (57) surpassing two individuals with 56.
Captain Angela Banks and the back line teamed up for their ninth clean sheet as the Downey, Calif., product had five saves. The selfish Concordia defense allowed five shots on frame and Banks collected some big saves in the opening half.
Banks said, “It was amazing. When the first goal went in we knew history was made, but the second one sealed the deal. This team has been working so hard the last couple of years, so it's really deserving for us. We are a team that does well under a lot of pressure. When the odds are stacked against us, we always seem to rise above them. Going into this tournament, people didn’t expect much of us. Our team had never been here before, we used that to fuel us and to keep us going forward. This team has gone through and we are looking forward to the next game.”
Niah Kichner and Elena Ruiz ruled the midfield, winning the ball multiple times to help keep the talented opposition in check. Sadie Mares gave the Ravens two scares and showed massive potential in free kicks in the open field. The Dawgs outshot Benedictine, 8-7 (7-5 SOG), and corner kicks (4-3) in the second 45.
Concordia is set to clash with No. 1 seed Aquinas on Saturday (Nov. 23) in Grand Rapids. The second round will be hosted at the Aquinas College Athletic Field at 12 p.m. CT / 1 p.m. ET. The winner will move on to the final site in Pensacola, Fla., Dec. 2-9.