SEWARD, Neb. – A half mast flag graced Bulldog Stadium in remembrance of 9-11 before the privileged clash between Concordia Women’s Soccer and Benedictine College (Kan.). The midweek matchup left the Bulldogs scoreless to the Ravens, falling 2-0 in full time. Concordia turned it on the second half with five second half shots but was unable to find the back of the net in the final third.
Head Coach Nick Smith’s squad is 1-2-1 after working through four contests in its challenging non-conference schedule. Coach Smith commented on playing through the full 90 minutes and bright spots in the game.
“We scheduled a really tough nonconference on purpose. We have to learn to compete for the full duration of these games. We lost the game tonight because of a two and a half minute spell. We made a couple mistakes and that ultimately cost us the game. We battled and outshot them in the second half but you can’t put yourself in a two goal hole against a team like Benedictine.”
Starting in the 21st minute, Jenna Wilken was able to collect two goals in less than three minutes of play on behalf of the visitors. The Ravens would outshoot the Bulldogs 9-4 in the first half and 4-2 shots on goal.
Out of the break, Concordia took the fight to Benedictine and outshot the visitors, 5-3, in the final frame. Savannah Andrews, Kierstynn Garner, Elena Ruiz, and Mirarosa Gyllenswan all fired shots off and the most dangerous came via Andrews outside the box.
Gyllenswan put an end to many of the Ravens’ attacks in their final third. Typically a midfielder, the Menifee, Calif., native was moved to center back due to an injury from All-GPAC player Hannah Kile. On an island at points in the match, the University of Jamestown transfer was able to corral attacks and shoot twice herself.
Coach Smith said, “We do see a lot from her game back there. She’s a leader and a ball winner. She is aggressive and plays the game really well. I do think the pairing of her and Taylor, at times, looks really really good.”
The Bulldogs played 19 different players and mixed up rotation due to Kile. Newcomer Kyana Rios attained a lot of quality minutes along with Avery Black and Triniti Rowe.
Benedictine moves to 2-3-1 after dropping just outside the NAIA Coaches’ poll this morning. Forward Payton Vogelbacher earned an assist and goalkeeper Mackenzie Korzenecki a shutout. The Ravens are set to enter Heart of America Athletic Conference play against Culver-Stockton College (Mo.) this Saturday.
Concordia (1-2-1) is set to travel to York University (3-1) on Saturday afternoon. The Bulldogs and Panthers will face off at 12 p.m. CT at the York Soccer Complex. CUNE bested York (1-0) in the 2023 matchup in Seward.