SEWARD, Neb. – It’s been a historic start to the 2022 season for Concordia University Women’s Soccer. The Bulldogs have equaled a school record for longest unbeaten streak to begin a season. In last week’s action, Concordia earned lopsided shutout wins over Bethany College (Kan.) and Mount Marty, pushing the overall record to 6-0. Head Coach Thomas Goines’ squad effectively completed a perfect 5-0 run through the nonconference portion of the regular season. Now they prepare to put that unblemished mark to the test in a road trip to Dordt and a home matchup with Northwestern.
This Week
Wednesday, Sept. 21 at Dordt (4-3, 1-1 GPAC), 5 p.m.
--Live Webcast | Live Stats
Saturday, Sept. 24 vs. Northwestern (4-4, 0-2 GPAC), 1 p.m.
--Live Webcast/Stats
By the numbers
· The Bulldogs have gotten progressively better throughout the first month of the 2022 season. On the way to going 5-0 outside of GPAC play, Concordia defeated Southwestern College (Kan.), Tabor College (Kan.), Graceland University (Iowa), No. 25 Benedictine College (Kan.) and Bethany. Three of those opponents reside in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference and two are members of the Heart of America Athletic Conference. The victory at Benedictine likely raised some eyebrows. In program history, Concordia had never beaten the Ravens – until this fall.
· Goines has guided the program to its first 6-0 start since the 2003 team accomplished that feat under then Head Coach Bill Schranz. In the history of a program that dates back to 1996, no Bulldog Women’s Soccer team has ever reached 7-0. The active six-game win streak is tied for the third longest in school history. The two lengthiest win streaks in program annals are eight by the 2016 team and seven by the 2017 team. Both of those squads won GPAC championships in either the postseason or regular season.
· Concordia had last week’s foes overmatched. The Bulldogs hosted Bethany and won 4-0 while holding a 19-4 advantage in shots. Concordia then traveled to Yankton, S.D., for its GPAC opener and routed Mount Marty, 6-0, while owning a 25-7 advantage in the shot count. Out of the 10 goals scored on the week, four were accounted for by rising star freshman Kierstynn Garner, Lina Kirst put away two and once apiece was recorded by Savannah Andrews, Ellie Eason, Kassidy Johnson and Lisa McClain. Both Andrews and Johnson put away the first goals of their careers.
· Through six games, the Bulldogs have outscored their opponents by a combined total of 20-4. Garner ranks fourth among GPAC players with her team high seven goals this season. Concordia has also been strong defensively and has recorded three shutouts in a row behind goalkeepers Kalie “Rocket” Ward and Bradi Ore. The Bulldogs have started three different keepers this season (Angela Banks started the first two games in goal). Among GPAC teams, Concordia ranks second for goals scored and tied for second for fewest goals allowed. With 20 goals scored, the Bulldogs are just three away from their total for the entire 2021 season.
· Goines is closing in on a coaching milestone. With six wins this season, the Concordia University Wisconsin alum has run his 11-year head coaching victory total to 99. Broken down by school, Goines won 43 games at Concordia University Chicago, 30 at Barton College (N.C.) and 26 so far at CUNE. Goines is the winningest coach in the history of CU-Chicago and has a GPAC tournament title to his credit at CUNE.
The opponents
Dordt finished last season at 10-8-1 overall (5-6-1 GPAC) and played the Bulldogs to a 1-1 draw in Seward. The star returner for the Defenders is Avril Baccam, who earned First Team All-GPAC accolades in 2021. Head Coach Alex Durbin’s squad sits at 1-1 in conference play with a 1-0 win over College of Saint Mary and a 5-1 loss to Briar Cliff. Dordt has tallied 18 goals and has allowed 15 this season.
Northwestern missed the GPAC tournament last season while going 3-8-1 in conference play (6-11-1 overall). The Red Raiders are 0-2 to start 2022 league play with the losses handed out by College of Saint Mary and Briar Cliff. Head Coach Shannon Andringa’s program returns Honorable Mention All-GPAC performer Julie Dunlap in the midfield. Northwestern has been outscored by its opponents, 18-14, this season.
Next week
Conference play carries on with a trip to Midland on Sept. 28 and a home game versus Dakota Wesleyan on Oct. 1. The Bulldogs will play 12 GPAC regular season games.