YANKTON, S.D. – A new program single-season record and a flurry of goals highlighted the mismatch that occurred at National Field Archery Association Headquarters in Yankton, S.D., on Tuesday afternoon (Oct. 16). Brynn Suddeth recorded her third hat trick in nine games while Lauren Martin added two more assists in a 12-0 stomping of Mount Marty. Martin has become the program’s new record holder for most assists in a single season.
Sixth-year head coach Greg Henson’s squad remains in a tight race for a second GPAC regular-season title in a row. The Bulldogs are 11-1-3 overall and 8-0-1 in conference play. The GPAC unbeaten streak has moved to 24 (22-0-2).
“The goal was to get three points and put us in position to stay with the top teams in the league,” Henson said. “We were able to get everybody into the game today. Now we move on. We’ll definitely have fresh legs and be ready to go on Saturday. We have three tough ones in our row, but our focus is on Jamestown.”
The 12 goals scored equaled a program record achieved once each by the 2000, 2004 and 2016 Concordia women’s soccer teams. The onslaught began almost immediately with Suddeth scoring in the third minute. The native of Wichita, Kan., also struck in the seventh and 14th minutes while again feasting on a team situated in the back half of the conference standings. Suddeth was one of eight Bulldogs to score. The Lancers (1-10, 0-7 GPAC) even knocked one into their own goal.
Martin entered the day needing two assists to push her season total to 16, which would break the school record held by Liesl Barz (15 in 2004). Martin eclipsed the mark by assisting Suddeth’s first and third goals. As part of her big day, Martin also found the back of the net in the 26th and 51st minutes. Another in the team’s attacking big three, Maria Deeter (reigning GPAC Offensive Player of the Week), scored and assisted a goal. She needs one more goal to crack the top five of the program’s all-time list.
Not previously mentioned goals were tacked on by Michaela Twito (12’), Chelsea Bright (39’), Kaylee Brown (56’), Callie McNary (76’) and Becky Freeman (81’). The goal was the first of Bright’s career. Just for fun, Ashley Martin assisted her twin sister Lauren’s 51st-minute goal. Both Martins and Jennika Chapman were credited with two assists on the day. The shot count of 56-5 further reflected the throttling that unfolded.
Martin has been involved in 23 (seven goals, 16 assists) of the team’s 57 goals this season. Said Henson, “It’s an impressive stat for her to have that record with three games still left in the regular season. It says a lot about her play and the team around her. You have to have players who are able to finish. I was happy to see her break it and hope she can set the bar even higher.”
Freshman Kalie Ward got the start in goal and earned the shutout. She made one save.
This was a season high for goals allowed by Mount Marty, which was shut out for the fifth-straight time. On the flip side, Concordia notched a fourth clean sheet in a row. It has outscored its opponents 27-0 over that run.
A challenging three-game stretch to finish the regular-season awaits. The Bulldogs will depart Friday morning in preparation for Saturday’s contest at Jamestown (8-5-1, 5-2-1 GPAC) on Saturday. Kickoff from North Dakota is set for 1 p.m. CT.