SEWARD, Neb. – A chance to complete an undefeated run through the nonconference portion of the schedule is at stake this week for the red-hot Concordia University Women’s Soccer team. The Bulldogs enjoyed a 2-0 week against Heart of America Athletic Conference opponents in Graceland University (Iowa) and No. 25 Benedictine College (Kan.). Those results have pushed Head Coach Thomas Goines’ squad to 4-0. That unblemished mark will be put to the test against Bethany on Tuesday and Mount Marty on Saturday.
This Week
Tuesday, Sept. 13 vs. Bethany (2-2), 5:30 p.m.
--Live Webcast/Stats
Saturday, Sept. 17 at Mount Marty (4-0-1, 0-0 GPAC), 5:30 p.m.
--Live Webcast | Live Stats
By the numbers
· Based on the GPAC preseason poll that had the Bulldogs at No. 6, Concordia is one of the surprises of the early part of the 2022 season. Goines’ squad is one of only four in the GPAC without a loss this fall. The others are Hastings (5-0), Presentation (3-0) and College of Saint Mary (3-0-1). The win over Benedictine is the type that will help move the needle when it comes to rankings. In the Sept. 5 release of the GPAC ratings, the Bulldogs remained stuck at sixth while listed behind Jamestown, Briar Cliff, Hastings, Morningside and Midland.
· Concordia has started 4-0 for the first time since 2006 and has beaten Benedictine for the first time in program history. Prior to last week’s matchup, the Ravens had been 11-0 all-time versus the Bulldogs. In addition, Concordia picked up its first win over an NAIA top 25 team since it got past No. 17 Midland, 1-0, in the 2018 GPAC semifinals. The ’06 team that started at 4-0 finished that season at 10-7-1 overall under Head Coach Rob Giesbrecht. The most recent Bulldog squad to start out 5-0 was the ’03 team that opened at 6-0 before suffering a defeat in game No. 7.
· The Bulldogs were dominant – perhaps even more than the score showed – in the win at Graceland, which calls Lamoni, Iowa, its home. Concordia owned commanding advantages in shots, 30-5, and shots on goal, 20-4, while getting goals from Aliyah Aldama (4’), Elena Ruiz (15’), Kierstynn Garner (44’ and 86’) and Lina Kirst (82’). The Bulldogs led 2-0 before relinquishing the lead and then posting the game’s final three goals. Two assists were credited to Aldama and one went to Molly Roberts.
· The win at Benedictine was a momentous one for the reasons outlined above. On a rainy day in Atchison, Kan., Concordia overcame a disadvantage of 14-7 in shots (6-3 in shots on goal) behind Garner and a shutout claimed by goalkeeper Kalie Ward, who made five saves. A freshman from Kearney, Neb., Garner completed an impressive three-goal week by scoring after going on a run in the 58th minute. She managed to slot the ball past a keeper who earned NAIA Honorable Mention All-America accolades in 2021. The Ravens were rated as the No. 3 team in the strong HAAC.
· Goines (now up to 97 career collegiate wins) is hoping Garner becomes the type of dangerous striker that the program has been lacking in recent years. According to Garner’s profile on Max Preps, she totaled 39 goals and 27 assists in 41 career games at Kearney High School. A well-rounded athlete, Garner also starred on the basketball court and graduated from Kearney High as the school’s all-time record holder for most career 3-point field goals. She was selected to play in the Nebraska Coaches Association All-Star Basketball Game.
The opponents
Bethany will be making the trip to Seward for the first times since 2016 when that year’s meeting resulted in a 5-1 Concordia win. The Swedes’ lone win so far this season came by a 3-1 score at Central Christian College (Kan.). Most recently, Bethany dropped a 5-1 decision to Hastings on Sept. 7. The Swedes are coming off a 2021 season that saw them go 5-11-2 overall.
Entering the week, Mount Marty stands at 1-1-2 with the win coming by a 4-1 score over NCAA Division III Buena Vista University (Iowa). The Lancers struggled through a 2021 season that ended with a 2-14 overall record (1-11 GPAC). Head Coach Cynthia Chavez will try to bring stability to a program that has experienced few victories over the past several years. Mount Marty was outscored last season by its opponents, 53-5.
Next week
Conference play will heat up with a trip to Dordt on Sept. 21 and then a home matchup with Northwestern on Sept. 24.