2022 Women's Soccer Schedule/Results
10-6-2 Overall | 5-5-2 GPAC (7th) | Season Stats | Roster
| Date | Opponent | Location | Time/Result | Record |
| Aug. 27 | Southwestern College (Kan.) | Seward, Neb | W, 3-2 | 1-0 |
| Sep. 3 | Tabor College (Kan.) | Hillsboro, Kan. | W, 1-0 | 2-0 |
| Sep. 6 | Graceland University (Iowa) | Lamoni, Iowa | W, 5-2 | 3-0 |
| Sep. 10 | Benedictine College (Kan.) | Atchison, Kan. | W, 1-0 | 4-0 |
| Sep. 13 | Bethany College (Kan.) | Seward, Neb | W, 4-0 | 5-0 |
| Sep. 17 | *Mount Marty University | Yankton, S.D. | W, 6-0 | 6-0, 1-0 |
| Sep. 21 | *Dordt University | Sioux Center, Iowa | T, 1-1 | 6-0-1, 1-0-1 |
| Sep. 24 | *Northwestern College | Seward, Neb | T, 0-0 | 6-0-2, 1-0-2 |
| Sep. 28 | *Midland University | Fremont, Neb. | L, 1-3 | 6-1-2, 1-1-2 |
| Oct. 1 | *Dakota Wesleyan University | Seward, Neb | W, 5-0 | 7-1-2, 2-1-2 |
| Oct. 5 | *Morningside University | Sioux City, Iowa | L, 1-2 | 7-2-2, 2-2-2 |
| Oct. 8 | *University of Jamestown | Seward, Neb | L, 0-1 | 7-3-2, 2-3-2 |
| Oct. 12 | *College of Saint Marty | Omaha, Neb. | W, 1-0 | 8-3-2, 3-3-2 |
| Oct. 15 | *Hastings College | Seward, Neb | L, 0-1 | 8-4-2, 3-4-2 |
| Oct. 19 | Briar Cliff University | Seward, Neb | L, 0-3 | 8-5-2, 3-5-2 |
| Oct. 22 | *Presentation College | Aberdeen, S.D. | W, 1-0 | 9-5-2, 4-5-2 |
| Oct. 26 | *Doane University | Seward, Neb | W, 2-0 | 10-5-2, 5-5-2 |
| GPAC Tournament | ||||
| Nov. 2 | Briar Cliff University (Quarterfinals) | Sioux City, Iowa | L, 1-3 (2 OT) | 10-6-2 |
2022 Roster
| No. | Name | Pos. | Ht. | Year | Hometown | Previous School |
| 0 | Bradi Ore | GK | 5-6 | Jr. | Keller, Texas | Northwest HS / Allen CC |
| 00 | Kalie Ward | GK | 5-5 | Sr. | Cheyenne, Wyo. | Loudoun County HS |
| 1 | Angela Banks | GK | 5-4 | So. | Downey, Calif. | Saint Joseph HS |
| 2 | Allee Downing | D | 5-4 | Jr. | Sioux City, Iowa | Sioux City East HS |
| 3 | Hannah Haas | MF | 5-4 | So. | Colorado Springs, Colo. | Doherty HS |
| 4 | Kassidy Johnson | MF | 5-7 | So. | Lincoln, Neb. | Raymond Central HS |
| 5 | Anisa Lewis | F | 5-7 | So. | Maple Hill, N.C. | Heide Trask Senior HS |
| 6 | Senna McMullen | D | 5-5 | So. | Olathe, Kan. | Olathe South HS |
| 7 | Niah Kirchner | MF | 5-2 | Fr. | Omaha, Neb. | Milard West HS |
| 8 | Savannah Andrews | F | 5-5 | Fr. | Gretna, Neb. | Gretna HS |
| 9 | Sierra Springer | F | 5-3 | Fr. | Valparaiso, Neb. | Raymond Central HS |
| 10 | Aliyah Aldama | MF | 5-5 | Jr. | Torrance, Calif. | North HS |
| 11 | Katelyn Smith | F | 5-0 | So. | Omaha, Neb. | Millard North HS |
| 12 | Lauren Edmond | MF | 5-4 | So. | Gastonia, N.C. | Gaston Day School |
| 13 | Lina Kirst | MF | 5-7 | Jr. | Montevideo, Uruguay | Uruguayan American School |
| 14 | Lilley Barber | D | 5-2 | So. | Overland Park, Kan. | Olathe East HS |
| 15 | Lisa McClain | F | 5-4 | Jr. | Fraser, Colo. | Middle Park HS |
| 16 | Ashlee Trujillo | F | 5-4 | Fr. | Brighton, Colo. | Riverdale Ridge HS |
| 17 | Elena Ruiz | MF | 5-1 | Fr. | Omaha, Neb. | Omaha South HS |
| 19 | Molly Roberts | D | 5-4 | So. | Columbus, Neb. | Columbus HS |
| 21 | Hannah Kile | D | 5-7 | Fr. | Lincoln, Neb. | Raymond Central HS |
| 22 | Ellie Eason | MF | 5-6 | Jr. | Kirkland, Wash. | Juanita HS |
| 23 | Grace Soenksen | D | 5-5 | Jr. | Lincoln, Neb. | Lincoln Lutheran HS |
| 24 | Kadyn Lane | MF | 5-6 | Jr. | Phoenix, Ariz. | Faith Lutheran HS |
| 25 | Shi-Lynn Yon | D | 5-2 | Fr. | Melbourne, Fla. | Melbourne HS |
| 26 | Caitlin Davis | D | 5-3 | Jr. | Hot Sulphur Springs, Colo. | Middle Park HS |
| 27 | Kierstynn Garner | F | 5-5 | Fr. | Kearney, Neb. | Kearney HS |
| 28 | Emily Howard | D | 5-1 | So. | Overland Park, Kan. | Olathe East HS |
| 29 | Taylor Slaymaker | D | 5-7 | So. | Kearney, Neb. | Kearney HS |
| 31 | Abby Vodicka | MF | 5-3 | So. | Unadilla, Neb. | Syracuse Dunbar Avoca HS |
| 32 | Augustine Abshagen | D | 5-10 | Fr. | Middleville, Mich. | Thornapple Kellogg HS |
| 33 | Meagan Davis | MF | 5-7 | Jr. | Lincoln, Neb. | Lincoln East HS / Southeast CC |
| 34 | Shelby Rugg | D | 5-2 | Fr. | Clovis, Calif. | Clovis HS |
| 41 | Zoe Lavigne | GK | 5-5 | Fr. | Anaheim, Calif. | Orange Lutheran HS |
STAFF
Thomas Goines, Head Coach
Mellonee Hall, Assistant Coach
Richard Day, Assistant Coach
Michael McIntyre, Goalkeeper Coach
Spring Update: leadership group reshaped as Downing, Soenksen take on captain roles
June 6, 2022
The re-shaping of an identity for the 2022 season began in earnest this spring as the Concordia University Women’s Soccer team moved on without an ultra-experienced senior class. On the plus side, Head Coach Thomas Goines knows this group can build around well-respected two-year starters Allee Downing and Grace Soenksen. Those two Bulldogs happened to be elected captains this spring, which featured scrimmages with the likes of NCAA Division II University of Nebraska-Kearney, College of Saint Mary Doane, Nebraska Wesleyan, Southeast Community College and a group of alumni.
Goines’ squad got back to the practice fields after posting a 9-7-2 overall record this past season. For a change, Concordia was able to focus on individual skill development and team chemistry without the pressure of regular season games.
“We asked the girls how many had gone through a traditional spring season and only one of them raised their hand,” Goines said. “The last year-and-a-half we’ve basically been game-planning for the next game during every training session. It was nice to allow everyone to focus on development and improvement and getting the team dynamic where we want it to be. It was a breath of fresh air. We could just play soccer without the weight of trying to win a GPAC championship. They could just go out with the emphasis on getting better and enjoying themselves. It was a really cool thing to be a part of.”
The aim for this squad is to build upon the gritty defensive performances that were characteristic of the ’21 team – and then find more ways to put the ball in the back of the net. The spring was just a start in terms of ironing out the midfield and becoming more dangerous in the attacking third. As noted by Goines, the program lost a slew of veteran midfielders with Michaela Twito (97), Mikeila Martinez (72) and Madeline Haugen (71) each having played more than 70 career games as Bulldogs. As for the team’s options at striker, that dynamic will continue to evolve into August training.
The spring helped reinforce the strength of the back line, which is fortified by Downing and Soenksen. The latter is a two-time First Team All-GPAC award winner. Concordia also has a returning starter at keeper in the form of Kalie “Rocket” Ward, who emerged as a great story in 2021. She rejoined the team last fall after going through basic training.
Said Goines, “We lost a good portion of the midfield and a lot of girls who have been part of championship teams. It’s hard to replace that. We’re very happy with the strong group of seniors that we have for next year. They’ve all been through it and been through conference championships. We’ve seen fantastic growth in our leadership group. Our two captains were selected by the team and that’s Grace and Allee. They’ve really stepped up into leadership roles. The girls have responded well.”
Other returners who started in the GPAC tournament last season were Aliyah Aldama, Caitlin Davis, Ellie Eason, Lisa McClain and Taylor Slaymaker. They will again vie for playing time this fall for a program that won a GPAC tournament title as recently as the spring of 2021. Part of the championship formula has included the Bulldogs’ ability to limit the opposition’s attack (20 goals allowed in 2021).
Another spring storyline involved the sendoff of assistant coach Chris Luther, who completed his tenure at Concordia as both a coach and professor this past May. Luther had been a bridge from the previous head coach and was known for his energetic and upbeat style. Luther continued to assistant the team this spring before saying goodbye.
“He’s a fantastic man,” said Goines of Luther. “He’s been a stable influence on the program. The girls have grown to love and respect him. We had a lot of time together this spring to say goodbye and we’re excited for Coach Luther as he takes on his next step. We know he’s going to be cheering us on from a distance.”
Throughout the spring season, team activities also included rock climbing at MW Climbing in Lincoln, a sendoff meal with Coach Luther and the gathering with the alums. The program will also host a camp in late July while getting the community involved. In recent months, Goines has announced some of the team’s incoming recruits via the program’s Instagram account that can be found HERE.
For now, there are still some unknowns as Goines looks ahead to the fall. The program is getting set to welcome 12 newcomers. That crew should help fortify the midfield and add some offensive punch for a program that has been seeking a dependable striker. Based on recent years, Concordia has become confident that it can reload from year-to-year and compete with the very best in the league. A productive summer of collective individual growth would enhance that confidence.
Said Goines, “It’s going to be interesting to see how people vie for positions. Of the offense we produced last year, I think we lose about 90 percent of it. We’re losing four players who have been all-conference midfielders, so that’s the big challenge. I’m looking forward to seeing how the midfield shapes up – and to see our new players. We have 12 new players signed that are excited to come and play. They’re communicating a lot with me. We’ll see how the new players combine with our current group. Having Rocket return in goal and Grace and Allee gives us three all-conference players back in the lineup. That provides us some certainty. I think our back line is something we can rely on. We have a lot of youth coming in on our frontline. We have some strikers coming in eager to show that they can help us put more goals in than what we got last year. I’m excited for what’s coming. I think the most interesting battle will be what comes out of the midfield because of what we lost.”
Schedule Release: 2022 Concordia Women's Soccer
June 15, 2022
2022 Concordia Women’s Soccer Schedule
SEWARD, Neb. – Bulldog Stadium will serve as the venue when Concordia University Women’s Soccer rings in the 2022 season. The program has announced a 2022 slate featuring 17 regular season games, beginning with the opener versus Southwestern College (Kan.) on Aug. 27. The slate will include eight home matches and the usual 12 GPAC league contests.
Head Coach Thomas Goines’ program is coming off a 2021 season that culminated with a 9-7-2 overall record, a sixth-place GPAC finish and a 1-0 loss to Hastings in the conference tournament quarterfinals. All-GPAC returners for 2022 include Grace Soenksen (first team), Allee Downing (honorable mention) and Kalie Ward (honorable mention).
Following the season opener versus Southwestern, nonconference play will continue with road games at Tabor College (Kan.), Graceland University (Iowa) and Benedictine College (Kan.). The Bulldogs will also host Bethany College (Kan.) on Sept. 13 to conclude the five-match nonconference run. The Ravens of Atchison, Kan., have been a perennially strong program and finished last season ranked No. 22 in the NAIA.
GPAC play will get started on Sept. 17 with a road trip to Mount Marty. Defending GPAC regular season champion Jamestown will make its way to Seward on Oct. 8. Concordia-Jamestown went head-to-head in the 2020 GPAC tournament championship clash won by the Bulldogs. Regular season action is slated to wrap up on Oct. 26 when Doane will be in Seward.
The conference tournament dates are Nov. 2 for the quarterfinals, Nov. 5 for the semifinals and Nov. 10 for the championship. The national tournament will get going with the opening round on Nov. 17 and 19 before action shifts to the final site in Orange Beach, Ala., Nov. 29 through Dec. 5.
Grace stars as last in line of Soenksen siblings turned Bulldogs
June 29, 2022
There’s something about Concordia that a Soenksen just can’t resist. As determined as she may have been to blaze her own trail somewhere else, Grace Soenksen found herself unrolled at a familiar school in the fall of 2019. Not that she thought about it in these terms, but Grace was beginning a collegiate career that continues to write the final chapter of the Soenksen sibling legacy at Concordia.
Before there was Grace, brothers Timothy, Kevin and Gideon and sister Esther each donned Bulldog navy blue. When Grace found the back of the net in the ninth game of her freshman season, she became the fifth different Soenksen to score a goal at Concordia.
Just the way Grace had always planned it. Okay, maybe not.
Says Grace, “When I first started looking at colleges, I was dead set on, ‘There is no way I’m going to Concordia.’ I didn’t want to just follow everyone else. I was looking everywhere but I still had Concordia on my radar just in case. Once I visited and talked with Coach (Greg) Henson (former head coach), I felt like I could fit in a lot better than what I previously thought. He told me I wouldn’t just be the next Esther. I wasn’t just going to be Esther’s little sister. Then talking with professors about what I wanted to do, I realized this might actually be a good fit for me. I didn’t think I wanted to go there, but when I actually visited it hit me that this could work. It has.”
No, she’s not just another Esther. Grace is now coming off back-to-back First Team All-GPAC seasons as she looks ahead to year No. 4 as a Bulldog. A Conservation Biology major, Grace will again serve as a captain and a steadying force that Head Coach Thomas Goines knows he can lean upon every day, both in training and in games. At center back, Soenksen has started 51 out of a possible 54 games and was a key figure in the program’s GPAC tournament championship run that occurred during the spring of 2021.
Grace entered the program two years after Esther helped transform Concordia Women’s Soccer from 2014-17, a period that saw the Bulldogs win a combined three GPAC titles and make two national tournament appearances. In a much different role, Esther put away 31 goals and tallied 23 assists in 84 collegiate games. Grace is making her mark in her own way. Between Esther and Grace, the program will have had a Soenksen in the starting 11 in eight out of nine years.
“I think the biggest thing for Grace is consistency,” Goines said. “You know exactly how she’s going to play every single training session and every single game. It’s all out. She gives everything she has physically and emotionally to the team and she’s grown into a leadership role. You know what you’re going to get from a player like her – and that’s a championship quality effort every single training session. As a coach, that’s everything you hope for.”
It's fair to say that Grace was born to play soccer. One of nine siblings, Grace and her brothers and sisters could just about field their own team. Grace estimates she was roughly four years old when she got her first pair of soccer cleats. With so many older siblings, Grace had to catch on quickly – or risk losing all bragging rights in those family get togethers. For several years, the Soenksens have had a tradition of playing soccer as a family on Thanksgiving Day.
Going back many years, Grace started to become familiar with Concordia. The Lincoln Lutheran High School alum watched her older siblings play in Seward and even played at Bulldog Stadium herself in high school matches. While Grace initially erased Concordia from the picture, she couldn’t ignore it. Grace’s conversations with Esther piqued her interest.
The fit was right for Grace, who would have the benefit of enjoying Concordia’s new Dunklau Center as part of her campus experience. From a soccer perspective, Grace did not have a guaranteed spot in the lineup. Neither she nor the coaches were sure what her immediate role would be in the fall of 2019. When she got the opportunity, she pounced on it.
“I wasn’t really sure what to expect,” Grace said. “I was very nervous going there and figuring out what the level of expectations were. I remember it being kind of a wakeup call. I had to pick my stuff up. At the very beginning of my freshman year, I wasn’t the first pick for things. I wasn’t in a starting spot in practice and stuff like that. It really helped when Coach (Chris) Luther did film sessions and I would listen to the critiques he would have for the defenders. I knew that’s where I wanted to be. I started picking up and learning from the older girls in my role. When we went and played in Arkansas, Tori Cera, who was playing center back, got hurt. Luther decided to take a chance and put me in there. That’s kind of where it started. I had to learn from everyone else and pay attention more than I ever have.”
As Grace became more vocal, she expanded her capacity as a leader. A consistent strength for the program has been its ability to limit opposing strikers, and Grace has had a big role in that. She’s far from the scared freshman she was a few years ago.
Said Goines of Grace’s growth, “She organizes the line and she’s in charge now. I don’t think there’s a question about who is in charge of making things flow. She’s done that for three years now for one of the top defenses in the conference.”
Defensive grit carried the Bulldogs in April 2021 when they went on a remarkable GPAC tournament championship run. It took the toughness of players like Grace to make it happen. On April 9, 2021, Grace and her teammates celebrated a 2-1 home win over Jamestown in a conference championship game pushed into the second semester due to COVID-19.
Recalls Grace, “We weren’t necessarily expected to win and we had definitely gone through some hard times with people leaving or stuff within the team. There was a lot of stuff going on. Since we had been playing the whole year straight, everyone was tired and exhausted because we had been going and going and going. I think it made it more meaningful that people didn’t expect us to do that. We had nothing to lose so we just put it all out there and showed we could do that.”
It was a high-water mark on the field for Grace, who doesn’t have to take a back seat to any of her siblings when it comes to her soccer career. While following in the footsteps of the four Soenksens who came before her at Concordia, Grace has become a respected leader. She’s honored to be a team captain.
“There are hard parts of the job but it’s nice to be seen as a leader and to be a kind face for the people coming in,” Grace said. “I want to let them know this isn’t going to be perfect all the time, but that’s okay. We’ve all been through it. I came in the same way – very nervous. It’s nice to be able to be there for someone else.”
When Grace concludes her collegiate career, it will wrap up this era of Soenksens at Concordia. Perhaps there will be another generation of the family to continue that legacy years down the road. For Grace, this journey got started many years ago. She’s just doing what Soenksens do.
Says Grace, “I remember getting my first pair of cleats and I was very excited about that. It was like I was joining the family.”
Bulldogs slotted at sixth in GPAC women's soccer poll
August 15, 2022
SEWARD, Neb. – In mirroring where it finished in 2021, the Concordia University Women’s Soccer program has been picked sixth in the 2022 GPAC Women’s Soccer Preseason Coaches’ Poll, released on Monday (Aug. 15) by the conference office. Head Coach Thomas Goines’ squad collected 96 points in the league poll. Nationally, both Jamestown and Briar Cliff represented the GPAC while receiving votes in the NAIA preseason coaches’ poll unveiled on Aug. 10.
The Bulldogs completed the 2021 season at 9-7-2 overall and at 6-4-2 in league play. Concordia saw the season conclude with a 1-0 GPAC tournament quarterfinal defeat at Hastings. Goines led the Bulldogs to a GPAC tournament title as recently as the 2020 season (tournament played in the spring of 2021).
Said Goines, “We’re bringing in 12 freshmen this year so it’s a big incoming class. When you return basically your entire back line, it’s going to be a combination of youth and experience. We’re going to have some freshmen who are going to challenge for time, especially when it comes to finding players who can put the ball in the back of the net. We’ve also added some depth in the midfield.”
Concordia brings back three players who earned All-GPAC honors last season: Grace Soenksen (first team), Allee Downing (honorable mention) and Kalie Ward (goalkeeper). The most significant personnel losses will be felt in the midfield, where the Bulldogs will have a new look in 2022. Soenksen is a team anchor as a two-time first team all-conference award winner.
The 2022 season will officially get started inside Bulldog Stadium as Concordia looks forward to hosting Southwestern College (Kan.) at 1 p.m. CT on Saturday, Aug. 27. The regular season slate includes five nonconference outings and 12 GPAC matchups.
2022 GPAC Women’s Soccer Preseason Coaches’ Poll
-First-place votes in parentheses
1. Jamestown – 143 (11)
2. Briar Cliff – 133 (2)
3. Hastings – 108
4. Morningside – 106
5. Midland – 105
6. Concordia – 96
7. Dordt – 80
8. College of Saint Mary – 64
9. Dakota Wesleyan – 56
10. Northwestern – 52
11. Doane – 30
12. Presentation – 28
13. Mount Marty – 13
Season Preview: 2022 Concordia Women's Soccer
August 16, 2022
Head Coach: Thomas Goines (20-13-4; 3rd season at Concordia; 93-68-20 in 10 years overall)
2021 Record: 9-7-2 overall; 6-4-2 GPAC (6th)
Key Returners: MF Aliyah Aldama; D Allee Downing; D Ellie Eason; MF Lina Kirst; MF Kadyn Lane; F Lisa McClain; D Taylor Slaymaker; D Grace Soenksen; GK Kalie Ward.
Key Losses: F Bethany Fuchs; MF Madeline Haugen; MF Mikeila Martinez; D Callie McNary; D Cheyenne Smith; MF Michaela Twito.
2021 GPAC All-Conference: Grace Soenksen (First Team); Madeline Haugen (Second Team); Allee Downing (Honorable Mention); Mikeila Martinez (Honorable Mention); Kalie Ward (Honorable Mention).
Outlook
Fresh off a normal spring for the first time since 2019, the Concordia University Women’s Soccer program is working on building towards another season of GPAC championship contention. From the 2014 through 2020 seasons, the Bulldogs captured three GPAC tournament titles and a conference regular season championship and appeared in six GPAC tournament finals. In other words, the blueprint is in place for the 2022 Bulldogs, who will feature a mix of veterans and freshmen.
Head Coach Thomas Goines enters his third season at Concordia with hopes of channeling the program’s typical gritty defensive play while ramping up its attacking prowess. In 2021, the Bulldogs regularly played defensive grinders that came down to a single goal.
Says Goines, “We’re working as a team on the defensive side, which is really where we started our training in the first week. We have areas for growth in possession, in the final third and some of the things we haven’t spent much time on (so far in preseason). We’re going to develop those areas over the course of the next week or two as we develop this group’s identity relative to seasons before. What is this group going to be? They’re really beginning that process of developing who they’re going to be when they step on the field.”
Concordia finished last season at 9-7-2 overall and landed at No. 6 in the 2022 GPAC preseason coaches’ poll. Led by First Team All-GPAC center back Grace Soenksen, the ’21 Bulldogs surrendered only 20 goals in 18 games. The campaign concluded with a 1-0 loss at Hastings in the GPAC quarterfinals. It marked the seventh time last season that Concordia played a match that wound up with a 1-0 final score. There just wasn’t much margin for error for a squad that also claimed overtime wins over Bellevue and Morningside.
It's not necessarily a bad thing to say that the Bulldogs can hang their hat on defense. The back line includes Soenksen in addition to All-GPAC outside back Allee Downing and center back Taylor Slaymaker, a starter in 2021 as a freshman. In addition, the program welcomes back Kalie “Rocket” Ward, who stepped into the goalkeeper role last season and started 17 of 18 contests. The other outside back spot could be won by a freshman. At least on paper, this area of the field may be the team’s biggest strength. Soenksen is a two-time first team all-conference honoree and a three-year starter. She’s a rock.
“When you go into a game knowing the opponent is going to have to do something special to score on you, it gives you a sense of confidence and freedom to try some other things,” Goines said. “You know that if there’s a breakdown, you’re going to be okay – and there will be in the first two or three weeks of the season. You’re not playing perfect. Having returners in the back and in the midfield that understand how to do certain things gives you a little sense of security that you can lean on as you develop other areas of your team.”
The midfield was hit hardest by graduation as Concordia said goodbye to significant four-year (or five-year) contributors Madeline Haugen, Mikeila Martinez and Michaela Twito (program record for games played). The program also graduated Cheyenne Smith, who played all over the park in her four years as a Bulldog. Those departures mean this fall is an important one for development and for determining the best 11 that Goines can put on the field.
Among other veteran returners, Aliyah Aldama, Ellie Eason, Lina Kirst and Lisa McClain bring starting experience as part of a class of four-year players that numbers nine strong. Aldama and Eason both started 17 games last season. The class also includes the likes of Caitlin Davis, Hannah Haas and Kadyn Lane.
That bunch will help mentor a talented freshman class. According to Goines, a handful of freshmen are in the running for starting spots. The rookies will attempt to add some goal scoring punch to a program that finished 2021 with 23 goals, led by the four from Haugen.
The Sioux City, Iowa, native Downing has high praise for the freshmen. Says Downing, “With the freshman class that we have, we’re able to change the formation from what we have done. We have a lot of good talent offensively. I think we’re going to be able to run a 4-3-3 and hopefully put a lot of goals on the board this season. They have a lot of quickness. They’re really technical and have really good attitudes.”
Someone who may be able to help in the goal scoring department is freshman Kierstynn Garner, already one of the team’s fastest players. Garner notched 13 goals and 12 assists in her senior season at Kearney High School. Meanwhile, Omaha South High School alum Elena Ruiz has been immediately impressive in August training. Additional freshmen to keep an eye on are Savannah Andrews, Niah Kirchner and Shi-Lynn Yon, among others.
That group has the potential to change the way Concordia looks and plays this fall. Says Goines, “They’ve certainly come in and made a splash. They bring in a good amount of athleticism, pace and energy. We were a little lacking in the final third as a group. They give us a chance to play maybe a higher-paced game and a different type of match.”
As for Ward, she missed the first week of preseason training while continuing to fulfill her military duties. Upon her return, she’ll have to win a goalkeeper competition that includes Angela Banks, Zoe Lavigne and Bradi Ore. The position has been one of strength for the program, going back to four-year starters in Chrissy Lind and Lindsey Carley.
Overall, there are enough moving pieces that Concordia still has some unknowns as the season opener approaches. Considering the program’s extended run of success, it would be foolish to count the Bulldogs out. Downing and the senior leadership of this team will play a role in how much success is experienced this fall. Said Downing, “We have to find the right formation for this group of players and see what works. We’ve been working a lot on how to pressure. I think if we can get that down and not overexert ourselves, we’ll be able to get up high and hopefully score lots of goals this season.”
Jamestown and Briar Cliff were neck-and-neck at the top of the league standings last season. The Bulldogs fell by a 1-0 score at Jamestown last season and edged the Jimmies in the 2020 GPAC tournament title game. The margins are often slim within conference play.
“You really have to focus on every single game being that important,” Goines said. “Two years ago we came within about a minute-and-a-half from winning the conference (regular season) because we gave up two plays. That was the separation between us and winning the conference. Last year we just struggled to find goals, but we still competed. Hopefully we can turn the corner and put 12 consistent games together and put ourselves in position to host in the GPAC playoffs and make another run at the national tournament.”
Concordia will open the 2022 season by hosting Southwestern College (Kan.) on Aug. 27. A significant nonconference test is coming up Sept. 10 when the Bulldogs will be at 22nd-ranked Benedictine College (Kan.). The first GPAC action is slated for Sept. 17 at Mount Marty.
Campaign to get started with visit from Southwestern
August 22, 2022
SEWARD, Neb. – Two weeks into preseason training, game week has arrived for Concordia University Women’s Soccer. The Bulldogs are readying to host Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference opponent Southwestern College on Saturday. This will mark the third-straight season that the two programs have played each other. Head Coach Thomas Goines’ squad went 6-1-1 inside Bulldog Stadium during the 2021 campaign.
Concordia vs. Southwestern | Saturday, Aug. 27 | 1 p.m.
-Bulldog Stadium | Seward, Neb.
-Live Webcast/Stats: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/cun/
-Order tickets online (also sold on site)
Goines enters his third season leading the Bulldogs. Concordia placed sixth in the GPAC in 2021 after capturing the GPAC tournament title in 2020. At 93-68-20 overall in 10 years as a collegiate head coach, Goines is closing in on triple digits in the win column. His ’22 squad features three returning All-GPAC players in defenders Grace Soenksen (first team) and Allee Downing (honorable mention) and goalkeeper Kalie Ward (honorable mention). The Bulldogs played in plenty of low scoring matches a year ago when they tallied 23 goals and allowed 20. As a program, Concordia has built a reputation as a strong defensive unit. Since 2014, the Bulldogs have appeared in six GPAC tournament championship games.
The expectation is that several freshmen will help Concordia become more dangerous in the attacking third. Already one of the team’s fastest players, freshman Kierstynn Garner collected 13 goals and 12 assists in her senior season at Kearney High School. Meanwhile, Omaha South High School alum Elena Ruiz has been immediately impressive in August training. Additional freshmen to keep an eye on are Savannah Andrews, Niah Kirchner and Shi-Lynn Yon, among others. For a detailed season preview, click HERE.
The Bulldogs traveled to Winfield, Kan., last September and came away with a 2-1 win with the help of a goal apiece from Mikeila Martinez and Anisa Lewis. The Moundbuilders won the 2020 matchup (also played in Winfield) by a 1-0 score in double overtime. Before heading to Seward, Southwestern will open its season on Wednesday versus Midland. The Moundbuilders went on to finish the ’21 season at 13-5-1 overall. An alum of Southwestern, Head Coach Joe Schwartz enters his second season leading the program.
Second half response results in ringin' in the rain
August 27, 2022
SEWARD, Neb. – Things could have gotten sideways for the Concordia University Women’s Soccer team, but that gritty can-do attitude persists within the program. A PK save by goalkeeper Angela Banks and a clearance off the goal line by Lisa McClain swung the momentum and helped carry the Bulldogs to a 3-2 win over Southwestern College (Kan.) on a rainy Saturday (Aug. 27) afternoon inside Bulldog Stadium. By game’s end, it was Concordia ringin’ in the rain in celebration of the season opening victory.
Head Coach Thomas Goines’ squad has beaten the Moundbuilders for the second year in a row. Last year’s clash in Winfield, Kan., was decided by a 2-1 score.
“What we’ve talked about and embraced since I’ve been here is doing your job – embrace your role, whatever it is,” Goines said. “Our players have stepped up and done these things. It’s the little things like being in position on corner kick defense. Lisa was right where she needed to be and made a huge save that saved the game for us. It doesn’t put us down a goal. Our goalkeeper Angela comes up with a huge PK save in her first college start. Big moments all around. Then we played probably six or seven freshmen today.”
It appeared Southwestern had the Bulldogs on their heels a bit in the second half after Keiana Jones knotted the score, 1-1, with a goal in the 59th minute. A rare turnover by the Concordia back line was the culprit. Mere moments later, Banks surfaced with the PK save and McClain was like Johnny-on-the-spot in denying what would have been a certain go-ahead goal for the Moundbuilders.
Those missed opportunities came back to bite Southwestern. The Bulldogs retook the lead in the 78th minute when a ball lofted into the box by Taylor Slaymaker was headed into the goal by a Moundbuilder defender. Seconds after the ensuing kickoff, Niah Kirchner played a cross that found Aliyah Aldama unmarked for a shot that she tucked inside the left post.
The Aldama goal proved to be the game winner as Southwestern struck in the 83rd minute thanks to Kenzie Saul’s perfectly executed corner that Natalia Bak deposited into the back of the net. Concordia managed to see out a resourceful, soggy victory despite taking one shot for the entirety of the second half. Three days earlier, Southwestern (0-1-1), a 13-win team in 2021, drew with Midland.
Said Aldama, “Our team chemistry and the love we have for each other (played a role). This preseason has just been different with our team environment. We’re playing for each other and playing for something bigger than ourselves. We got scored on and we were like, no, let’s get it back for each other. I think that’s what got us through the game.”
One of those Bulldog freshmen, Kirchner, got on the board with her first career goal. She scored in the 24th minute after a corner deflected off multiple people in the box. The 1-0 lead stood for roughly 35 minutes. Two freshmen found their way into the starting lineup, Kierstynn Garner and Hannah Kile. Garner is expected to add some scoring punch up top. At keeper, Banks collected five saves in her first-ever start.
Concordia will hope to play a cleaner game next time out, but this was a positive first step. Said Goines, “We told the girls we’ll take a win, even if it’s not the prettiest win we’re going to have. The weather kind of changes the game play. It takes a little bit of the skill away and puts it into more of a fighting-type mode. We definitely want them to enjoy that. The mentality and the fight they put into it was very, very good. We have five games in the nonconference to get better.”
The Bulldogs will wait until next Saturday (Sept. 3)’s road trip to Tabor College (Kan.) before returning to action. Kickoff from Hillsboro, Kan., is set for 6 p.m. CT.
Tabor up next on nonconference slate
August 30, 2022
SEWARD, Neb. – After knocking off a Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference opponent at home in its season opener, the Concordia University Women’s Soccer team will now take on a KCAC foe on the road. The Bulldogs have a bye in the middle of this week before heading to Joel H. Wiens Stadium in Hillsboro, Kan., for Saturday’s 6 p.m. CT kickoff at Tabor College. Head Coach Thomas Goines’ squad defeated Southwestern College, 3-2, this past weekend. The Concordia and Tabor programs are familiar with one another having also played each other in 2018, 2019 and 2021.
This Week
Saturday, Sept. 3 at Tabor (1-0), 6 p.m.
--Live Webcast
--Tickets: purchase on site
By the numbers
· In the face of a steady rain and a strong second half push by Southwestern in the season opener on Aug. 27, the Bulldogs showed the program remains a gritty one. There were two sequences that defined the game. Around the 60th minute, with the game tied 1-1, Concordia keeper Angela Banks saved a penalty kick. On the ensuing corner kick, Lisa McClain cleared a shot off the goal line to preserve the tie. The missed opportunities came back to haunt the Moundbuilders, who surrendered an own goal and a goal to Aliyah Aldama in the 78th minute. A goal for Southwestern in the 83rd minute was a little too late. The Bulldogs rang the bell in celebration of a 3-2 win.
· One of six freshmen to see their first collegiate action last week, Niah Kirchner got on the board with her first career goal by finding the back of the net in the 24th minute. That score gave Concordia a 1-0 lead at the time. The two freshmen who started in the opener were striker Kierstynn Garner and defender Hannah Kile. Kirchner came off the bench along with fellow rookies Elena Ruiz, Sierra Springer and Shi-Lynn Yon. A sophomore, Bell made her first career start and played all 90 minutes in goal. Banks collected five saves.
· The class of seniors (academically) made up a significant portion of the starting 11. The senior starters were Aliyah Aldama, Allee Downing, Ellie Eason, Lina Kirst, Lisa McClain and Grace Soenksen. That group knows what it’s like to win a championship having been part of the 2020 squad that defeated Jamestown in the GPAC tournament championship game. Since the start of the 2019 season, the senior class has helped the program to a combined record of 27-24-8.
· The ’22 squad features three returning All-GPAC players in defenders Grace Soenksen (first team) and Allee Downing (honorable mention) and goalkeeper Kalie Ward (honorable mention). The Bulldogs played in plenty of low scoring matches a year ago when they tallied 23 goals and allowed 20. As a program, Concordia has built a reputation as a strong defensive unit. Downing and Soenksen are the backbone of a back line that included Taylor Slaymaker and freshman Hannah Kile as last week’s starters. Ward missed the preseason due to her military commitments.
· The Bulldogs are 2-1 all-time versus Tabor in a series that only got started in 2018. The results have been a 4-1 win for Concordia in 2018, a 1-0 win for Tabor in 2019 and a 2-1 win for Concordia in 2021. In last season’s matchup, the Bulldogs got a goal apiece from Hannah Haas and Mikeila Martinez on the way to the victory. Concordia own a commanding advantage of 15-4 in the shot category. The goalkeeper duo of Banks and Ward faced just a single shot on goal.
The opponent
After finishing 2021 at 8-6-4 overall, Tabor began this season with a 4-3 victory over Panhandle State University (Okla.). The Bluejays will be at Hastings on Wednesday night before shifting their focus to Concordia. Head Coach Ian Thomson is in his ninth season leading Tabor, his alma mater. Over last season’s 18 games, the Bluejays were outscored by their opponents, 20-18. Tabor was picked fifth out of 13 teams in the KCAC preseason poll.
Next week
The road stretch will continue next week as the Bulldogs play at Graceland University (Iowa) on Sept. 6 and at No. 22 Benedictine College (Kan.) on Sept. 10.
Ruiz goal, clean sheet carry Dawgs to road win at Tabor
September 4, 2022
HILLSBORO, Kan. – A week after edging one Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference opponent, the Concordia University Women’s Soccer team took on another KCAC foe, one with a much different style of play. The Bulldogs made the adjustment and came away with a 1-0 victory in a road win over Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kan., on Saturday (Sept. 3) night. The lone goal came from freshman Elena Ruiz.
Head Coach Thomas Goines’ squad had waited a week to return to action since defeating Southwestern College (Kan.), 3-2, on Aug. 27. Concordia has found ways to win while knowing it’s capable of playing a cleaner game.
“I was proud of our team for pulling out a win on their first road trip of the season,” Goines said. “Tabor plays a physical and direct style that makes it tough to build and possess against. We started six underclassmen tonight and I was happy to see the impact they made on the field.”
Ruiz was joined in the starting 11 by fellow freshmen Hannah Kile, Niah Kirchner and Kierstynn Garner. Ruiz broke up the 0-0 stalemate with a goal in the 47th minute. As far Garner, it’s likely just a matter of time before she puts one in the back of the net. The Kearney, Neb., native placed two shots on goal on Saturday. As a team, the Bulldogs owned a 13-8 advantage in overall shots (10-6 in shots on goal).
Two Concordia keepers contributed to the clean sheet. Angela Banks started the game before having to depart prior to halftime. She was spelled by Kalie “Rocket” Ward, who got a late start to preseason due to military duties. The duo of Banks and Ward combined for six saves. On the opposite end of the field, Bluejay keeper Ashly Johnson kept her side in it by making nine saves.
This was more like it for a back line that features steady center backs Grace Soenksen and Taylor Slaymaker. On the attacking end, Ruiz and Ellie Eason were credited with three shots on goal apiece. An Omaha South High School alum, Ruiz has the ability to be a major four-year contributor.
Tabor slipped to 1-2 on the season. Earlier this week, the Bluejays fell at Hastings, 4-1. Tabor is coming off a solid 2021 campaign that saw it go 8-6-4 overall.
Another road trip awaits on Tuesday when the Bulldogs will head to Lamoni, Iowa, to meet Heart of America Athletic Conference foe Graceland University. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. CT. The two sides last met in 2017 when the Yellowjackets came away with a 2-1 win in double overtime. Graceland has won two of the three all-time matchups.
Bulldogs will see if they can 'HAAC it' in week on the road
September 5, 2022
SEWARD, Neb. – The Concordia University Women’s Soccer team carries a 2-0 record into a week of action that features two road trips destined for opponents that reside within the Heart of America Athletic Conference. Head Coach Thomas Goines will take his team into battles with Graceland University (Iowa) on Tuesday and then with No. 22 Benedictine College (Kan.) on Saturday. The Bulldogs are fresh off a 1-0 victory at Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference member Tabor College (Kan.).
This Week
Tuesday, Sept. 6 at Graceland (1-1-1), 5 p.m.
--Live Stats
Saturday, Sept. 10 at No. 22 Benedictine (2-2), 5 p.m.
--Live Webcast | Live Stats (link will be added when available)
By the numbers
· The Bulldogs are one of four teams in the GPAC without a blemish on the record. The other three are Presentation (3-0), College of Saint Mary (2-0) and Hastings (2-0). Every team in the conference has played at least two games against non-league foes. Concordia placed sixth in the GPAC a year ago but has many veterans who experienced the GPAC tournament title run in the spring of 2021. The favorites in the GPAC are the likes of Jamestown, Briar Cliff and Hastings, according to the preseason poll.
· The lineup last week featured a unique mix of seniors (academically) and freshmen. Fourth-year Bulldogs in the starting 11 were Aliyah Aldama, Allee Downing, Ellie Eason, Lina Kirst and Grace Soenksen. Meanwhile, the rookies who got the nod were Kierstynn Garner, Hannah Kile, Niah Kirchner and Elena Ruiz. The seniors are battle-tested having played in a combined 255 career collegiate games. Below is a breakdown of career games by individual.
o Aliyah Aldama – 56
o Allee Downing – 58
o Ellie Eason – 53
o Lina Kirst – 32
o Grace Soenksen – 56
· Not only did Goines lead the Bulldogs to a GPAC title in the spring of 2021 (season moved due to COVID-19), he owns an overall record of 22-13-4 at CUNE. This marks his 11th season as a collegiate head coach during a career that has included stops at NCAA Division III Concordia-Chicago and NCAA Division II Barton College (N.C.). Goines just might reach a milestone in the coming weeks. His career win total rests at 95 (overall record of 95-68-20).
· It looks as though the Bulldogs have at least two goalkeepers they feel confident can get the job done on game days. Sophomore keeper Angela Banks left last week’s game with an injury and was replaced in the first half by 2021 starter Kalie “Rocket” Ward. Named Honorable Mention All-GPAC last season, Ward was late in arriving to campus due to her military duties. Together, Banks and Ward combined for six saves while preserving the season’s first shutout. Concordia is comfortable in these types of low-scoring affairs. The Bulldogs won three times by 1-0 scores in 2021.
· Ruiz came through with a goal in the 47th minute at Tabor College and was credited with a game-winner. The Omaha South High School is one of a group of freshmen capable of making the attack more dangerous. It’s likely just a matter of time before Garner, a Kearney High School alum, gets on the board with her first career goal. Through two games, Aldama, Kirchner and Ruiz have recorded a goal apiece with one additional goal being an own goal.
Opponents
Graceland sports a record of 1-1-1 with a 1-0 win coming this past weekend over Stephens College (Mo.). The loss was a 5-1 defeat last week at the hands of Midland. The Yellowjackets finished last season at 5-12 overall. Graceland would like to be closer to its 2017 level when it defeated Concordia that season, 2-1, and went 14-5-1 overall. The team’s head coach is Bryan Courtney.
Benedictine is known to have a strong program year-in and year-out. The Bulldogs are still looking to knock off the Ravens for the first time in series history (0-11). Benedictine won last year’s matchup, 3-0, in Seward. So far this season, Head Coach Lincoln Roblee’s squad is 2-2 with wins over Midland and the University of Sant Mary (Kan.) and losses to No. 11 John Brown University (Ark.) and No. 15 Columbia College (Mo.).
Next week
The Bulldogs will return home on Sept. 13 to host Bethany College (Kan.) for the final game of the nonconference regular season slate. GPAC play will then get started with a road trip to Mount Marty on Sept. 17.
Four Bulldogs score goals as program moves to 3-0 for first time since 2017
September 6, 2022
LAMONI, Iowa – A first half of offensive fireworks lit up a path to the first 3-0 start for Concordia University Women’s Soccer since the 2017 season. Five of the seven goals scored on Tuesday (Sept. 6) evening came in the first 45 minutes in a contest that concluded with a 5-2 Bulldog victory at Graceland University, located in Lamoni, Iowa. Kearney High School alum Kierstynn Garner found the back of the net twice as one of four Concordia goal scorers.
Head Coach Thomas Goines’ squad won twice to begin the season over Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference opponents. Now the Bulldogs are in the midst of playing two matches this week versus Heart of America Athletic Conference foes.
“This year’s team is different from last year’s. We’ve found a little more on the offensive side,” Goines said. “It’s a nice balance and it’s nice to see some goals going in early. We want to continue to grow that maturity. We talked to them about it at halftime and after the game – just stay mature in your play. We just have to keep applying pressure and our time (to score goals) will come. In the first half we lost a little focus and then in the second half we stayed focused on what we were looking to do.”
This was as productive as Concordia has been on the attack in some time. The Bulldogs took 30 shots on Tuesday (20 on goal), far surpassing the 11.3 shots per game they averaged during the 2021 season. The likes of Garner, Aliyah Aldama and Elena Ruiz put the Yellowjackets on their heels. When Graceland did manage to pull within a goal (3-2), Concordia eventually responded with an 82nd minute goal from Lina Kirst (assisted by Aldama) and an 86th minute goal from Garner.
The game’s goal scoring line is reflective of a team mixing in both young and old into the lineup. The latest starting 11 featured six academic seniors and five freshmen. The chemistry appears to be working. Even the defensive miscues that occurred on Tuesday seem easily fixable in the eyes of Goines. There’s a lot of confidence in a back line including such veterans as Grace Soenksen and Allee Downing.
“Our younger players are learning what the college game is and certainly improving,” Goines said. “The blending of those players is nice to see. You’re starting to see some combinations from players who have only been playing with each other for a month. I’m happy that the group as a whole is coming together. We’re probably the deepest we’ve ever been. I’m excited to see what we can do moving forward.”
Less than 15 minutes into action in Lamoni, a goal apiece by Aldama and Ruiz (second of the year for both) had put the Bulldogs up 2-0. Graceland (1-2-1) went on to tie it up by the 38th minute. Just before halftime, Garner got on the board with her first career collegiate goal to provide a 3-2 lead at the break. Molly Roberts also turned in an assist on the day.
The Yellowjackets, also defeated 5-1 at Midland last week, were limited to five shots (four on goal). At keeper for Concordia, Kalie Ward made her first start of the season and notched two saves. A native of Cheyenne, Wyo., Ward made 17 starts in 2021.
A third-straight road game is coming up on Saturday when the Bulldogs will be in Atchison, Kan., to battle 22nd-ranked Benedictine College (Kan.). Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. CT from Legacy Field. Concordia is aiming to defeat the Ravens for the first time in program history.
Spurred by Garner goal, program captures first-ever win over Benedictine
September 10, 2022
ATCHISON, Kan. – Even throughout the run of prosperity experienced by Concordia University Women’s Soccer since 2014, the program had never beaten Benedictine College, an annual national qualifier. Go ahead and cross that one off the to-do list. A second half goal from freshman Kierstynn Garner proved the difference as the Bulldogs upset the 25th-ranked Ravens, 1-0, on a rainy Saturday (Sept. 10) in Atchison, Kan. Garner and company completed a 2-0 week against Heart of America Athletic Conference opponents.
Head Coach Thomas Goines has Concordia out to a 4-0 start for the first time since 2006. In addition, the Bulldogs have defeated a nationally ranked foe for the first time since 2018 (when they knocked off then 17th-ranked Midland, 1-0, in the GPAC semifinals).
“We knew Benedictine was very good,” Goines said. “Athletic, fast, organized, well-coached – everything you’d expect from a top 25 team. We talked about making sure everything they did was hard in the final third. It took a lot of discipline and a lot of grit. Before the game started, rain started coming down and we looked at the girls and said, ‘This is Bulldog weather.’ We’re going to come out and take our chances when they show themselves.”
This is the type of win that shows the arrow pointing straight upward for a Concordia team jolted by a talented freshman class that has mixed nicely with the veterans. Impressively, the Bulldogs quieted a big, fast and athletic Benedictine bunch that essentially scored right off the kickoff in their previous outing – a 5-1 win over Avila University (Mo.). Concordia managed to keep the Ravens to 14 shots (six on goal) and got a strong performance out of goalkeeper Kalie “Rocket” Ward, who made five saves.
The goal by Garner was a beauty. She created the chance on her own while going on a run that covered a good 50 yards. After dribbling up the right side, Garner gathered herself just outside of the 18 and rifled a left-footed shot into the upper lefthand corner of the goal. The Kearney High School product was able to slot the ball past keeper Olivia Berry, a 2021 NAIA Honorable Mention All-American. Garner also knocked in two goals in Tuesday's 5-2 win at Graceland University (Iowa).
In the postgame locker room, Goines didn’t have to say much. There were a lot of smiles following a win over a program that has made eight-straight national tournament appearances and had previously been 11-0 all-time versus the Bulldogs (including the 2014 national tournament matchup). The makeup of this Concordia team is different from those of the past. There’s a trust in a back line that has championship experience and growing confidence in the striking capabilities of the youngsters.
Said Goines of Garner, “She was asked to take on some counter-attacking opportunities today against a different style. She excelled at it. It’s a lot of running and a lot of individualism. It’s a growth spot for her and it’s exciting to see her taking on that role.
“Another player to talk about would have to be Rocket. She came up with some big stops in big moments of the game. When you’re playing against a team like that, your goalie has to have a solid game, or you’re going to lose. She had an all-around solid game.”
The Bulldogs were credited with seven shots (three on goal). Two were put on frame by Garner and another shot on goal was fired by Niah Kirchner. Of course, center back Grace Soenksen had a hand in the team’s second clean sheet of 2022. The depth of Concordia has helped make up for starter Taylor Slaymaker being sidelined by injury.
Up next will be the final nonconference game of the regular season. Concordia will host Bethany College (1-2) at 5:30 p.m. CT on Tuesday. Most recently, the two programs met in 2016 with the result being a 5-1 Bulldog win in Seward.
Red hot Dawgs seek to remain unbeaten versus Bethany, Mount Marty
September 12, 2022
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.
Ward honored as GPAC Defensive Player of the Week
September 13, 2022
SEWARD, Neb. – The shutout of a nationally ranked opponent paved the way for Concordia University Women’s Soccer goalkeeper Kalie “Rocket” Ward to be named the GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Defensive Player of the Week, as announced by the league on Tuesday (Sept. 13). Ward is the first Bulldog keeper to garner the conference weekly defensive award since Lindsey Carley in November 2020. Ward helped Concordia (4-0) to road wins last week over Graceland University (Iowa) and No. 25 Benedictine College (Kan.).
In highlighting the week, Ward made five saves to preserve the clean sheet in the momentous 1-0 win at Benedictine, a program the Bulldogs have previously never beaten. On the week, the Cheyenne, Wyo., native made a combined seven saves. Ward is now 3-0 this season as the team’s keeper since making her 2022 debut in the 1-0 victory at Tabor College (Kan.). Rocket got a late start to preseason training due to her military duties.
Ward emerged as a breakout performer in 2021 when she earned Honorable Mention All-GPAC accolades. She started 17 of 18 games last season and recorded 68 saves and four shutouts. She posted a goals against average of 1.11 and a save percentage of .782.
Head Coach Thomas Goines squad will return to action today (Sept. 13) to host Bethany College at 5:30 p.m. CT. It will be the team’s final regular season nonconference game of 2022.
Dawgs complete unbeaten nonconference season with rout of Bethany
September 14, 2022
SEWARD, Neb. – The Concordia University Women’s soccer team showed on Tuesday (Sept. 13) that it could handle success with maturity. Fresh off a road win over an NAIA top 25 opponent, the Bulldogs returned home to rout Bethany College, 4-0, on a muggy evening in Seward. Three Concordia players found the back of the net at least once while a strong collective defensive effort resulted in the team’s third clean sheet of 2022.
Head Coach Thomas Goines has guided the program to its first 5-0 start to a season since 2003. The Bulldogs will enter conference play brimming with confidence.
“It’s something you can take pride in,” Goines said of the unbeaten start. “We came in with a blended group trying to find an identity early in the year. You don’t always anticipate winning out the start of your season. We’ve had some tough games and some tough teams, and every team we’ve seen plays a different style. The hope for the nonconference part of the season is that you’re learning and growing. Today was a different type of challenge. It’s nice to be 5-0, but the real season starts Saturday.”
The goal scoring punch of this ’22 Concordia team is a welcome change from last season. On Tuesday, the Bulldogs controlled possession and created enough chances to have put more goals on the board than the four they scored. Eventually, the floodgates opened up with three second half goals, coming from the likes of Lisa McClain (48’), Lina Kirst (61’) and Kierstynn Garner (73’).
The freshman Garner has quickly emerged as a star with her blazing speed at the striker position. The Kearney, Neb., native also put a goal away right at the 11-minute mark on Tuesday and has now racked up five goals over the past three games. On a team laden with senior starters, Garner has fit right in while grabbing the spotlight.
“We don’t really think about it grade-wise, we just work well together and we’re all friends,” Garner said. “We don’t think about who’s who. We just work well together as a team … my speed helps me a lot, but I can’t be scoring without the passes I get from my teammates.”
McClain and Kirst are part of that group of academic seniors. Kirst came through with a highlight-reel worthy goal on a free kick from the edge of the 18-yard box. Steady as always, fellow classmates and starters Aliyah Aldama, Allee Downing, Ellie Eason and Grace Soenksen also played significant roles in the victory. Meanwhile, reigning GPAC Defensive Player of the Week Kalie “Rocket” Ward made two saves in her 78 minutes in goal. She combined with Bradi Ore (12 minutes) on the shutout. The keepers were kept clean on a night when the Swedes were limited to four shots (compared to 19 by Concordia).
The perfect run through nonconference action included three wins over Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference opponents and two over Heart of America Athletic Conference foes. The Bulldogs have outscored their opponents by a combined total of 14-4 and are growing in their belief that they can compete near the top of the GPAC.
“We have the talent to make a run in the conference this year,” Goines said. “It’s got to be a combination of positive results, quality play and a little bit of luck as we need it. We’re excited about where we’re at and where we could see ourselves getting to at the end of the season.”
Conference play will get started on Saturday with a trip to Yankton, S.D., for a matchup with Mount Marty (1-1-2, 0-0 GPAC). The action will get started at 5:30 p.m. CT from Crane-Youngworth Field. The Bulldogs are 20-0 all-time against the Lancers.
Blowout of Mount Marty pushes Bulldogs to 6-0
September 17, 2022
YANKTON, S.D. – This was about taking care of business. There were some missed opportunities on the attack, but eventually the Concordia University Women’s Soccer team found the mark and peppered the back of the net on the way to a comfy 6-0 win at Mount Marty on Saturday (Sept. 17). As part of the conference opening victory, five different Bulldogs scored at least one goal and Bradi Ore earned credit for a shutout in her first career start at goalkeeper.
Not since 2003 has the program started a campaign at 6-0. Head Coach Thomas Goines’ squad came into Saturday’s match as a heavy favorite, but it still had to go out and earn it.
“That first half we came out a little slower than we wanted to,” Goines said. “The girls came out in the second half and took it a little bit personally. They stepped up to the challenge and applied pressure and held the ball as we wanted to. There were some really nice goals in the second half. We’re playing with some intensity in the attack, but we’re still searching for more consistency.”
In program history, Concordia has never lost to Mount Marty. They wanted to keep it that way. However, the first half wasn’t a stroll through the park. Nearly 20 minutes had elapsed before star freshman Kierstynn Garner put away the first goal of the evening. Then in the 31st minute, Kassidy Johnson made it 2-0 with her first career goal (assisted by Niah Kirchner).
The Bulldogs proceeded to leave no doubt in the second half when Garner (62’), Lina Kirst (66’), Savannah Andrews (77’) and Ellie Eason (79’) each contributed a goal. The occurrence also marked the first career goal for Andrews, a freshman from Gretna. As for Garner, the goals just keep coming. She’s up to seven through her first six games wearing Concordia blue. Garner tested the Lancers with six shots on goal.
The 25-7 advantage in the shot count told the story of the Bulldogs’ dominance in possession. When called upon, Ore met the challenge. She collected five saves and played all 90 minutes in goal. Ore is the third different keeper to start this season for Concordia, which has shut out three opponents in a row. The lopsided affair allowed for most of the roster to see action.
The Bulldogs are passing every test so far. Goines likes how his team is responding to success. It’s time to forget about what happened in the nonconference portion of the season. Said Goines, “We turned the page on going 5-0 out of conference. It’s something we take pride in, but we had to turn the page. We’re more worried now about our wins and losses in the GPAC. We want to keep focusing game-by-game on each GPAC game. We’re looking to go 1-0 every time we step on the field.”
With the victory, Goines moved within one of 100 in his head coaching career, which has included stops at Concordia University Chicago and Barton College (N.C.). He guided CUNE to a GPAC tournament title run in the spring of 2021.
The Lancers fell to 1-3-2 overall (0-2 GPAC). Mount Marty keeper Kelsey Tabbert piled up 14 saves in Saturday's defeat.
Conference play will continue on Wednesday with a trip to Dordt (4-3, 1-1 GPAC) for a 5 p.m. CT kickoff in Sioux Center, Iowa. Concordia and Dordt played to a 1-1 draw last season in Seward.
Unbeaten Dawgs seek to continue historic run versus Dordt, Northwestern
September 19, 2022
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.
Bulldogs surrender late goal, settle for draw at Dordt
September 21, 2022
SIOUX CENTER, Iowa – The Concordia University Women’s Soccer team came within 66 seconds of running its overall record to 7-0. However, a goal by Dordt’s Katherine Kooiman in the waning moments of regulation allowed the host Defenders to pull even, resulting in a 1-1 draw on Wednesday (Sept. 21) evening. The Bulldogs had held a 1-0 lead for nearly 60 minutes of play in Sioux Center, Iowa.
The disappointment of the closing minute aside, Head Coach Thomas Goines’ squad (6-0-1, 1-0-1 GPAC) put together a solid road performance within the GPAC. There will be lessons to take away for a Concordia team that had chances for a second goal that could have prevented late-game heartache.
“GPAC games on the road are always tough,” Goines said. “It’s a challenge against a team that’s fast and physical like Dordt. Any points you can get on the road are important. We’re a little bit disappointed we couldn’t close the game out.
“We decided to absorb a little pressure as opposed to pressing as much as we normally would, because they are a very direct team. They have a couple strikers that can put you under pressure if you let them get behind. We decided to be more of a counter-attacking team and it worked for the most part.”
Ellie Eason put the Bulldogs on top in the 31st minute after taking advantage of a misplay by Dordt. Eason played a couple touches to her right and then blasted a shot inside the left post, beating diving Defender keeper Elianna Van Hulzen. Six other Concordia shots on goal were denied by Van Hulzen, who put forth a strong outing in goal. Dordt managed to limit freshman Kierstynn Garner, who had tallied seven goals over the previous four games.
It was a relatively evenly-played match (9-8 Defender advantage in shots), but the Bulldogs felt like they let one get away. Unmarked after a corner kick was volleyed into the box, Kooiman found the back of the net for the equalizing goal. Concordia keeper Kalie Ward had to look through plenty of traffic in order to decipher where that shot was ticketed. Ward came up with six saves in a near shutout.
The Bulldogs entered the game having blanked their previous three opponents. They were searching for the first 7-0 start to a season in program history. The ’22 team may have missed out on that achievement, but it is the program’s first squad to ever be unbeaten through the first seven games of a campaign. As for Goines, his career collegiate head coaching win total remains at 99.
Concordia also tied Dordt (4-3-1, 1-1-1 GPAC) in 2021. The Defenders and star Avril Baccam pose problems for opponents, but the Bulldogs hope to use this as a learning experience.
“We could have gone up two or three goals had we been a little bit more clinical in the final third,” Goines said. “Second half, they went even more direct, and it made it a bit more challenging to manage. We had some chances to ice the game and just weren’t as clean as we needed to be and didn’t manage time as well as we needed to.”
The Bulldogs will return to Seward for their third home game of 2022. Saturday’s kickoff from Bulldog Stadium is slated for 1 p.m. CT. The opponent will be Northwestern (4-5, 0-3 GPAC), which came back to earn a 2-2 draw in last season’s meeting with Concordia in Orange City, Iowa.
Missed opportunities lead to second straight GPAC draw
September 24, 2022
SEWARD, Neb. – There were opportunities galore in the second half for the Concordia University Women’s Soccer team, but it could never pop the lid off the goal. Despite a commanding 18-5 advantage in the shot category on Saturday (Sept. 24), the Bulldogs wound up settling for a 0-0 draw with visiting Northwestern. Concordia also drew with Dordt, 1-1, three days earlier.
Head Coach Thomas Goines’ squad remains unbeaten at 6-0-2 overall (1-0-2 GPAC), but this one felt like a match that got away. On the plus side, the ’22 Bulldogs are the first side in school history to avoid a loss over the first eight games of a season.
“We’ve played pretty well over the last month,” Goines said. “We haven’t found a loss in a month, and that’s great. That’s not something you do consistently in sports. We’ve played well and defended well. Even in today’s match, we did everything that on any other day, you would find a win. Unfortunately we just didn’t find the back of the net, and soccer’s mean. It just really is. Credit to Northwestern. They defended well and limited our good chances. We just didn’t put them away.”
The finishing touch that Concordia showed throughout much of its 6-0 start has eluded it of late. As part of the frustration on Saturday, the Bulldogs had a goal by Hannah Haas negated by an offside, they misfired on a penalty kick and had an Ellie Eason shot drill the left post, among other close calls. Leading goal scorer Kierstynn Garner (seven goals in 2022) expended plenty of effort and energy attempting to put a tally on the board. She took four shots on the day.
Dominance in possession made it a fairly light 90 minutes of work for goalkeeper Kalie Ward, who made two saves while recording the shutout. The Red Raiders (4-5-1, 0-3-1) had a couple of prime opportunities of their own on counter attacks. It was a strong performance for Kaelin Alons, who made five saves while earning a shutout of her own.
Going back to Sept. 6, Concordia has surrendered just one goal over five games. That lone goal happened to come with 66 seconds remaining in the tie with Dordt. While Ward has played at a high level in goal, the Bulldogs are enjoying stellar play as usual out of two-time first team all-conference center back Grace Soenksen.
“I think it boils down to our players coming together well,” Goines said of the collective defensive effort. “We have two seniors who have played a lot of games back there. We have experience along with a quality goalkeeper. We’ve asked a couple young players to step in and get significant minutes as well. A lot of it goes back to our two seniors on the back line and a couple freshmen who have stepped in and done very well.”
Northwestern (4-5-1, 0-3-1 GPAC) remains winless within conference play. The Bulldogs and Red Raiders played to a 2-2 draw in Orange City, Iowa, a year ago.
Up next will be a rivalry clash on Wednesday with Midland (2-3-3, 0-1-1 GPAC entering Saturday). Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. CT from Heedum Field in Fremont, Neb. The Bulldogs emerged with a 1-0 win (Cheyenne Smith goal) in last season’s meeting in Seward.
Bulldogs looks to get back into W column as they face Midland, DWU
Septmeber 26, 2022
SEWARD, Neb. – Following two draws last week, Concordia University Women’s Soccer aims to return to the win column this week as it goes up against Midland and Dakota Wesleyan. The Bulldogs had their chances to get to 8-0 in recent action, but they settled for ties at Dordt, 1-1, on Sept. 21 and versus Northwestern, 0-0, on Sept. 24. Though there was some frustration involved in those results, Head Coach Thomas Goines’ squad remains unbeaten at 6-0-2 overall (1-0-2 GPAC). No other team in program history had ever gone undefeated through the first eight games of a season.
This Week
Wednesday, Sept. 28 at Midland (3-3-3, 1-1-1 GPAC), 5 p.m.
--Live Webcast | Live Stats
Saturday, Oct. 1 vs. Dakota Wesleyan (2-4-1, 0-3 GPAC), 1 p.m.
--Live Webcast/Stats
By the numbers
· In past years, there would have been overtimes to perhaps break the ties that came about last week. Due to the rule change that was adopted prior to the start of the season, all regular season games now end after 90 minutes of play. Coming away with ties last week was disappointing in two very different ways. In a fairly evenly played game at Dordt, a 1-0 Concordia lead evaporated with 66 seconds left in regulation. Against Northwestern, the Bulldogs dominated in every phase – they just couldn’t find the back of the net despite an 18-5 advantage in shots. One of those shots was a missed penalty kick early in the second half.
· No other Bulldog team had gone more than six games without a loss to begin a season. In other words, the ’22 squad has continued to extend a school record season opening unbeaten streak. The two ties did prevent Concordia from reaching the program record for longest win streak, which was eight by the 2016 squad. The longest overall unbeaten streak of 17 was rattled off by the ’17 team that owns the program’s only GPAC regular season title. The Bulldogs are currently the lone team in the GPAC without a loss on the overall record.
· While the goal scoring ran a bit dry last week, the Bulldogs have surrendered just one goal since Sept. 6, a span of five games. Overall this season, Concordia has outscored its opponents by a combined total of 21-5. Freshman Kierstynn Garner remains the team’s leading goal scorer with seven goals. Four of her teammates have produced multiple goals: Lina Kirst (three), Aliyah Aldama (two), Ellie Eason (two) and Elena Ruiz (two). The team leader for assists is Niah Kirchner with three. At keeper, Kalie “Rocket” Ward owns an impressive goals against average of 0.54 and a save percentage of .880. Eason notched the team’s lone goal last week.
· On the national leaderboard, the Bulldogs rank 14th nationally for goals against average (0.63) behind two-time First Team All-GPAC center back Grace Soenksen. Concordia is one of 13 teams in the NAIA to have yet to suffer a defeat in 2022. On the GPAC level, the Bulldogs rank first in goals against average and third in goals scored per game (2.63). Garner ranks in a tie for fourth among conference players in goals scored. In the official GPAC poll released on Sept. 19, the Bulldogs were placed fourth in the league.
· The rivalry with Midland has been an intense one. Concordia’s recent success against the Warriors has given it the lead in the all-time series, 15-13-3. The Bulldogs won last season’s meeting by a 1-0 score in Seward. The two sides also met in the 2020 GPAC semifinals and played 110 minutes of scoreless soccer. Concordia wound up advancing on penalty kicks. Despite the 1-0 loss last season to Dakota Wesleyan, the Bulldogs own an all-time series lead of 13-6-1 over the Tigers.
The opponents
Midland finished last season at 11-8 overall (8-4 GPAC) in what was Cody Bartlow’s first season as head coach of the program. The Warriors return First Team All-GPAC defender Emily Ambrose. They have started out 1-1-1 in conference play during a league slate that has included a 2-1 loss at Jamestown, a 1-1 tie at Presentation and a 2-1 win over Dordt. Midland has been outscored by its opponents this season, 20-16. Bailey Locano leads the team with four goals.
Dakota Wesleyan is fresh off a solid 10-7-1 overall mark (6-5-1 GPAC) in 2021. The Tigers have begun 2022 conference play with losses to Hastings, 10-0, Briar Cliff, 3-0, and College of Saint Mary, 6-0. DWU has been outscored on the season, 24-3, by its opponents. Nicolas Reinhard is in his first season as head coach for both the Tiger men’s and women’s programs.
Next week
The slate will follow an away-home pattern again next week with the Bulldogs playing at Morningside on Oct. 5 and then hosting Jamestown on Oct. 8.
Season's first loss endured at Midland
September 28, 2022
FREMONT, Neb. – More missed opportunities offensively and a rough stretch in the middle of the second half made the difference in another frustrating result for the Concordia University Women’s Soccer team. For the first time this season, the Bulldogs have tasted defeat. Host Midland earned a 3-1 victory over Concordia in action that took place at Heedum Field in Fremont, Neb., on Wednesday (Sept. 28).
Head Coach Thomas Goines’ squad went unbeaten through the season’s first eight games, something no other team in program history had previously achieved. After the loss on Wednesday, the Bulldogs stand at 6-1-2 overall (1-1-2 GPAC).
“There were things in the game that we liked,” Goines said. “The first half was very competitive between two good GPAC teams, physical and fast play. Second half, I think the girls responded phenomenally and created a lot of chances. We had a handful of one-on-ones with the keeper, missed a penalty kick and hit the post a couple times again. It’s a growing process for our team. The energy we brought to the game was great to see. This gives us a chance to grow and to try to overcome adversity.”
Had a sequence here or there gone differently the past few outings, Concordia could easily be sitting at 9-0. These are part of the growing pains. However, the Bulldogs never quit on Wednesday. They nearly evened things up after going down 2-0. Grace Soenksen got on the board with her first goal of 2022 (fifth career) with a header off the corner kick from Ellie Eason in the 72nd minute. Roughly 10 minutes later, Concordia squandered a penalty kick that was saved by Midland keeper Hannah Tillison. At 2-1, Arianna Flores put away the back breaker in the 86th minute with a goal to bring it back to a two-goal spread.
Four days earlier, the Bulldogs settled for a 0-0 draw with Northwestern in a game they dominated (18-5 in shots). This time, Concordia took the loss despite an 18-7 shot advantage (11-6 in shots on goal) over the Warriors. Under heavy fire, Tillison did the job for Midland in making 10 saves. On the other end, the Warriors made their shots count – three of their four in the second half found the back of the net.
The positives the Bulldogs can take away are the stretches they outplayed Midland, especially early in the second half. Lately, Concordia has seemingly drilled shot after shot off the post. Nine different Bulldogs put at least one shot on frame in Fremont. Top goal scorer Kierstynn Garner was denied twice with shots on goal. So too was Aliyah Aldama. In goal, Kalie Ward made three saves. Concordia knows it’s close to turning a corner.
Said Goines, “It’s a chance to self-reflect. Some of the moments were big over the last week-and-a-half and we weren’t big enough for them. We have to continue to take on those challenges and step up when we need to. Realistically, this puts us in a tough spot in terms of being in position to host a playoff game. We have eight games left in conference. We’re inches away from taking games over. What are we going to do now to gain a few inches? That’s what we’re missing. We’re excited for what the rest of the season holds.”
The Bulldogs will return home to host Dakota Wesleyan (2-5-1, 0-4 GPAC) at 1 p.m. CT on Saturday. Concordia owns the all-time series lead over the Tigers, 13-6-1. Last season’s meeting in Mitchell, S.D., resulted in a 1-0 win for Dakota Wesleyan.
Floodgates open, Goines reaches milestone in win
October 1, 2022
SEWARD, Neb. – After a week-and-a-half of coming up just short of the desired result, this felt good for the Concordia University Women’s Soccer team. Ellie Eason found the back of the net twice as the Bulldogs managed to burst loose on the attack and rout visiting Dakota Wesleyan, 5-0, on Saturday (Oct. 1). The victory marked the 100th in the collegiate head coaching career of Thomas Goines, who previously led the programs at Concordia University Chicago and Barton College (N.C.).
Goines’ bunch effectively put behind the frustrations from Wednesday’s 3-1 loss at Midland. Concordia bumped its overall mark to 7-1-2 (2-1-2 GPAC) while reaching five goals in a game for the third time this season.
“That first half we had to make a few adjustments to find a way to finish off opportunities,” Goines said. “The second half we came out after playing into the wind and took our chances. We had about every variety of finish you could have – PK, corner kick, restarts and run of play. It was a good team effort today. We got a lot of people involved. That’s how it’s going to have to be. The whole group stepped up today.”
It's not that this team can’t create chances, it’s just that it could not seem to buy a goal over the past few outings. A fourth-year standout from Kirkland, Wash., Eason helped lift a weight off the team’s shoulders by burying a penalty kick goal in the 12th minute on Saturday. She also scored again in the 66th minute as part of the second half onslaught. Three teammates produced a goal apiece: Elena Ruiz (56’), Lina Kirst (70’) and Kassidy Johnson (79’). Kirst and Shi-Lynn Yon both picked up an assist.
The final score line was befitting of a game dominated by the Bulldogs. They ruled the shot count, 18-3 (10-3 in shots on goal). In goal, Kalie Ward covered the first 74 minutes and made two saves. Bradi Ore then helped finish off the shutout victory. The back line led by Grace Soenksen was tested on precious few occasions.
It all added up to win No. 100 for Goines, who guided the Bulldogs to a GPAC tournament championship in the 2020 season. The current squad has suffered only one defeat in a campaign that has the potential for something special down the stretch. For now, Concordia will enjoy getting back into the ‘W’ column.
Said Goines, “It’s a special thing to reach a mile marker like this. When the season is over, I’ll have more time to reflect on what that means. I’ve been honored to coach hundreds of young women over the years now. It’s had a huge impact on myself and my family. It’s on to taking the next step.”
As for Dakota Wesleyan (2-6-1, 0-5 GPAC), it remains in search of its first GPAC win. The Tigers have been shut out four times already by conference opponents.
The Bulldogs will hit the road on Wednesday for a trip to Sioux City, Iowa, and a matchup with Morningside (5-4-1, 2-2-1 GPAC). Kickoff from Elwood Olsen Stadium is set for 5:30 p.m. CT. In last season’s meeting in Seward, Concordia earned a 2-1 overtime win via the golden goal from Madeline Haugen.
GPAC grind presents upcoming matches with Morningside, Jamestown
October 3, 2022
SEWARD, Neb. – The Bulldogs are back in the win column thanks to this past weekend's 5-0 blowout win over visiting Dakota Wesleyan. The Concordia University Women’s Soccer team will attempt to build upon that victory as it travels to play Morningside on Wednesday before returning home to host Jamestown on Saturday. Head Coach Thomas Goines’ squad has suffered just one defeat this season and stands at 7-1-2 overall (2-1-2 GPAC). Currently, the Bulldogs are tied for fourth place with eight points in the GPAC standings.
This Week
Wednesday, Oct. 5 at Morningside (5-4-1, 2-2-1 GPAC), 5:30 p.m.
--Live Webcast
Saturday, Oct. 8 vs. Jamestown (6-4-2, 5-0 GPAC), 5:30 p.m.
--Live Webcast/Stats
By the numbers
· The 2022 Bulldogs became the first team in program history to go unbeaten through the first eight games of a season. Concordia started 6-0-2 before last week’s 3-1 loss at Midland. The run of three straight games without a win (two draws and a loss) meant Goines had to wait a bit for his 100th career coaching victory. It came this past Saturday in the rout of DWU. Goines won 43 games at NCAA Division III Concordia University Chicago, 30 at NCAA Division II Barton College (N.C.) and 27 so far at CUNE. Goines guided the Bulldogs to the 2020 GPAC tournament title.
· In a conference that has improved steadily over the last several years, Concordia currently ranks fourth best among GPAC teams, in terms of the first NAIA Women’s Soccer Modified Ratings Percentage Index (MRPI). At No. 43, the Bulldogs are situated behind No. 23 Hastings, No. 31 Jamestown and No. 34 Briar Cliff. The highest quality win so far on Concordia’s season profile was the 1-0 decision at Benedictine College (Kan.), ranked No. 66 in the MRPI. The Bulldogs also defeated No. 99 Southwestern College (Kan.).
· Through 10 games, the Bulldogs have outscored their opponents by a combined total of 27-8 and have outshot them, 160-71. The frustration prior to the Dakota Wesleyan game came from the inability to turn those shots into goals. Concordia settled for a draw with Dordt in a game it led with 66 seconds left on the clock, tied Northwestern despite an 18-5 shot advantage and lost at Midland even though it dominated in shots, 18-7. In other words, the Bulldogs are not far off from being 10-0 at this point.
· In the loss at Midland, Grace Soenksen notched the lone Concordia goal (assisted by Ellie Eason). The Bulldogs squandered a chance to tie the game in the 82nd minute when they missed a penalty kick. Concordia finally exploded in the second half of the win over Dakota Wesleyan. Eason found the back of the net twice in the game and one goal apiece was scored by Elena Ruiz, Lina Kirst and Kassidy Johnson. Eason now has four goals this season after having found the back of the net once in her first three collegiate seasons. The team goal scoring leader remains freshman Kierstynn Garner with seven.
· The three goals allowed at Midland were a season high for Bulldog opponents. Led by the two-time First Team All-GPAC center back Soenksen, Concordia has shut out six of its 10 foes. Now in her second season as the starting keeper, Kalie “Rocket” Ward continues to produce strong results. She has a record of 5-1-2 this season and her goals against average of 0.81 ranks 36th in the NAIA. The back line has been down a starter (and will continue to be for the remainder of the season) due to the injury of Taylor Slaymaker. Freshman Shi-Lynn Yon has helped fill the void.
The opponents
A perennially strong program, Morningside went 12-6-1 overall (7-4-1 GPAC) last season. The Mustangs have rebounded from back-to-back 3-0 road losses to Presentation and Jamestown in mid-September with league wins over Northwestern and Doane and a tie with Hastings. On the season, Head Coach Tom Maxon’s squad has scored 19 goals while also allowing 19. The team’s top goal scorer is Keyera Harmon with five.
Jamestown is the favorite to win the league and has not disappointed with a perfect 5-0 start to GPAC play. The Jimmies won the conference regular season title outright in 2021 and advanced to the opening round of the national tournament. Now in his 11th season as head coach, Nick Becker has led the program to six straight winning seasons. Concordia and Jamestown played each other in the 2020 GPAC tournament championship game with the result being a 2-1 Bulldog win. So far this 2022 season, the Jimmies have outscored their opponents, 17-10.
Next week
Two in-state foes will make up next week’s schedule as the Bulldogs will be at College of Saint Mary on Oct. 12 before hosting Hastings on Oct. 15.
Second half lead slips away in evenly matched battle at Morningside
October 5, 2022
SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Every goal scored on Wednesday (Oct. 5) night came during the second half in what resulted in a narrow loss for the Concordia University Women’s Soccer team. The Bulldogs left Sioux City, Iowa, with a 2-1 defeat despite owning a 1-0 second half advantage thanks to the goal scored by freshman Savannah Andrews. It was a measure of revenge for host Morningside, which dropped a 2-1 overtime decision last season in Seward.
Head Coach Thomas Goines’ squad slipped to 7-2-2 overall and to 2-2-2 in league play. Concordia’s all-time record versus the Mustangs stands at 14-11.
“Any time you play Morningside at their place you know it’s going to be a tough game,” Goines said. “We knew we were playing a well-coached, well-organized team. We took the game on the front foot in the first half and thought we did well to control large portions of the half. It opened up a little more in the second half. It was a bit of a tactical battle. Unfortunately, they had two good finishes where they made us pay for leaving them open at the top of the box. We had our chances to score on the other side.”
A freshman from Gretna, Neb., Andrews unleashed a strike from the top of the 18-yard box that supplied a 1-0 lead early in the second half on Wednesday night. After a quite first half for Morningside on the attack, it came alive at an opportune time. The Mustangs got a goal from Sina Feeser at the 67-minute mark and then one from Mia Stoffel at the 79-minute mark. Morningside (6-4-1, 3-2-1 GPAC) finished with a slight edge in shots, 13-11.
The Bulldogs had missed their chance to increase the margin for error. It was an evening of near misses for lightning quick striker Kierstynn Garner, whose athleticism led to her nearly burning the Mustang center backs. She fired four shots, including two on goal. Andrews also had a crack at another goal and a number of crosses just didn’t quite connect.
In goal, Kalie Ward was credited with six saves in her 90 minutes. It was another homecoming for defender Allee Downing, a Sioux City native. Downing played in the 67th game of her collegiate career. Like most games in 2022, Goines’ lineup exclusively featured freshmen and seniors. Despite the result on Wednesday, Concordia believes it’s messing as a unit and still has the potential to be a dangerous side down the stretch of GPAC play.
Said Goines, “We’re a blend of experience and youth and we’ve had some highs and lows. Our team has grown so much from 1-to-34 this season. We have to find a way to grind out results. The losses have put a little stress on our season, but we haven’t had a game yet this season where we weren’t either equally matched or in control of the game. I’m excited for the next opportunity and the chance to continue to grow.”
The Bulldogs will be back at home on Saturday to welcome Jamestown (7-4-1, 6-0 GPAC) to Seward. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. CT from Bulldog Stadium, where Concordia has gone 3-0-1 this season. Last season’s meeting in North Dakota resulted in a 1-0 win for the Jimmies, the 2021 GPAC regular season champions.
Bulldogs push GPAC leading Jimmies
October 8, 2022
SEWARD, Neb. – As lessons are learned throughout GPAC play, the Concordia University Women’s Soccer team is proving it can hang with the top teams in the league. In a contest with limited scoring chances, the Bulldogs were edged by conference leading Jamestown, 1-0, inside Bulldog Stadium on Saturday (Oct. 8). The lone goal on either side came from Aubree Gessel in the 14th minute. The Jimmies saw out the win by holding Concordia to five shots.
Head Coach Thomas Goines’ squad fell at home for the first time this season. The Bulldogs have dipped below .500 in league play at 2-3-2 (7-3-2 overall).
“Jamestown’s a very talented team,” Goines said. “There’s a reason whey they’re undefeated over the last year-and-a-half in conference play. They’re very athletic and organized. You know it’s going to be a challenge when you play them and the girls stepped up to it. We gave up a bit of a soft goal in the first half and then responded and competed the rest of the way. You’re not going to get a lot of chances because of how they press and how they possess.”
Concordia has been right there in every game it’s played this season. In Saturday evening’s clash, the Bulldogs stuck right with a Jimmie squad that has not lost in GPAC regular season play since the 2020 campaign. The gritty Concordia effort resulted in Jamestown putting only four shots on frame, three of which were saved by keeper Kalie Ward.
Though it found the back of the net only once, Jamestown (8-4-1, 7-0 GPAC) appeared clam and collected. The Jimmies have surrendered only two goals during conference play and rarely allowed the Bulldogs to get into any type of dangerous position. The visitors from North Dakota got their goal when Amber Somera volleyed a cross into the box and found Gessel for the skillfully played header.
Goines wasn’t displeased with the effort. The Concordia back line anchored by center back Grace Soenksen did its part. The Bulldogs simply ran into a talented opponent.
Said Goines, “We’ve played a good brand of soccer as far as our speed of play and energy on defense – and in possession and creating chances. We’ve been able to do things this year we hadn’t the past two years. We can do better at finding the frame consistently, but you can’t ask for much more growth than we’ve had.”
The Bulldogs will be on the road for a short trek to Omaha to take on College of Saint Mary (7-4-1, 4-2 GPAC) at 3 p.m. CT on Wednesday. In last season’s meeting in Seward, Concordia earned a 1-0 decision behind a goal from Mikeila Martinez. The Flames had this weekend off following their 4-1 loss at Briar Cliff on Wednesday.
In-state rivals CSM, Hastings up next as stretch run intensifies
October 10, 2022
SEWARD, Neb. – In-state rivals College of Saint Mary and Hastings will make up this week’s schedule for Concordia University Women’s Soccer. The Bulldogs are seeking a return to the win column after two losses last week by one-goal margins – 2-1 at Morningside and 1-0 versus Jamestown. The Bulldogs enter this week at 7-3-2 overall (2-3-2 GPAC) and possess eight points in the conference standings (eighth place). Prior to kickoff of Saturday, Head Coach Thomas Goines’ program will recognize its eight seniors.
This Week
Wednesday, Oct. 12 at College of Saint Mary (7-4-1, 4-2 GPAC), 3 p.m.
--Live Webcast
Saturday, Oct. 15 vs. Hastings (8-2-2, 3-2-2 GPAC), 5:30 p.m.
--Live Webcast/Stats
By the numbers
· Following the 6-0 start to this season (which featured a win at then 25th-ranked Benedictine College), the Bulldogs have experienced a run of tough luck while still playing a “good brand of soccer,” as Goines termed it after the loss to Jamestown. The last six games have included draws with Dordt and Northwestern, a 3-1 loss at Midland that saw Concordia control much of the action and then last week’s tight defeats. The one victory over that timeframe came by a 5-0 score over Dakota Wesleyan. With eight points in the GPAC standings, the Bulldogs are currently in eighth place as they try to secure a spot in the GPAC tournament.
· Eight seniors will be recognized prior to Saturday’s 5:30 p.m. kickoff: Aliyah Aldama, Caitlin Davis, Allee Downing, Ellie Eason, Lina Kirst, Kadyn Lane, Lisa McClain and Grace Soenksen. Collectively, the group owns a combined 406 games of collegiate experience and has produced 31 goals and 20 assists since the start of the 2019 season. During that stretch, the program has put up a four-year record of 33-27-8. The highlight of the run was the 2020 GPAC tournament championship that occurred in the spring of 2021. A Sioux City, Iowa, native, Downing has appeared in all 68 Concordia games since the beginning of 2019. Three of her classmates have also played in at least 60 games: Aldama (66), Soenksen (66) and Eason (63). Kirst leads the senior group with eight career goals.
· It’s never been easy to win at Morningside, a program that typically finishes somewhere near the top of the conference standings. In last week’s meeting in Sioux City, Iowa, Concordia took a 1-0 lead when freshman Savannah Andrews scored on an impressive strike at the 57-minute mark. Unfortunately, the Mustangs (6-5-1, 3-3-1 GPAC) responded by a goal apiece from Sina Freeser and Mia Stoffel for the comeback win. Morningside finished with a slight edge in shots, 13-11, while corners were even, 2-2. In goal, Kalie Ward made six saves while Mustang keeper Megan Messersmith also collected six saves.
· The Bulldogs were unable to find the back of the net versus Jamestown (8-4-1, 7-0 GPAC), but they made a good run at an opponent that has not dropped a GPAC regular season game since 2020. The Jimmies got a header goal from Aubree Gessel in the 14th minute and then played in the lead the rest of the evening. Offensive opportunities were limited for Concordia, which registered five shots. Defensively, the Bulldogs did an admirable job in limiting Jamestown to 12 shots (four on goal). Earlier this month, the Jimmies defeated Northwestern, 5-1, and Presentation, 7-0.
· In the most recent official GPAC ratings (Oct. 3), Concordia was placed in a tie for fourth. The top three were Jamestown, Briar Cliff and Hastings. In the NAIA Women’s Soccer Modified Ratings Percentage Index unveiled on Sept. 28, the Bulldogs landed at No. 43. Through 12 games, Concordia has outscored its opponents by a combined total of 28-11. In conference play, the Bulldogs have outscored their foes, 14-7. Freshman Kierstynn Garner remains the team’s top goal scorer with seven goals this season, followed by Eason (four) and Kirst (four).
The opponents
College of Saint Mary is currently holding down fifth place in the GPAC standings with 12 points. The Flames own GPAC wins over Northwestern, Mount Marty, Dakota Wesleyan and Midland. Head Coach Jordan Irsik’s program just missed the GPAC tournament last season when it went 5-7 in conference play. Over 12 games in 2022, CSM has outscored its opponents, 21-14. The team’s top goal scorer is Jimena Estrada Gomez with five goals. The Flames have split keeper duties between Gabby Felker and Alivia Schade.
A perennial power within the league, Hastings is looking to get back to nationals after missing out in 2020 and 2021. Head Coach Jade Ovendale is in her third season at the helm of the Broncos, who enter the week in sixth place with 11 points in the GPAC standings. Hastings is a dangerous attacking team that has put up 44 goals (against nine goals allowed) through 12 games. Dekota Schubert (12) and Naomi Pedroza (10) have both reached double figures in goals. The Broncos have put up four or more goals in a game seven times this season.
Next week
The Bulldogs will host Briar Cliff on Oct. 19 and then travel to play at Presentation on Oct. 22. Only three games will remain on the regular season slate by the conclusion of this week.
Kirchner's goal the difference in windy win at CSM
October 12, 2022
OMAHA, Neb. – Significant wind gusts impacted the action in a big way on Wednesday (Oct. 12) afternoon in Omaha, Neb., where the Concordia University Women’s Soccer team found a way to gut out the 1-0 victory over College of Saint Mary. Going against the wind in the second half, the Bulldogs managed to find the contest’s lone goal. Concordia earned its seventh shutout of the season.
The win was an important one in terms of the GPAC standings. Head Coach Thomas Goines’ squad pushed its season conference point total to 11 while moving to 3-3-2 within league play (8-3-2 overall). It was a nice way to shake off close losses last week to Morningside and Jamestown.
“CSM is an improved team that always challenges you,” Goines said. “We knew it was going to be a tough place to play. I’m very happy to see the girls come out and find the result. The wind certainly played a factor in the match. It was a tale of two halves when one half you have a 25-to-30 mile-per-hour wind at your back. Learning how to win is a hard thing. Once you start learning how to do that, it becomes easier. The girls have grown through conference play. They know we’ve played some good teams and have competed at a high level.”
While going against the strong winds in the second half, the Bulldogs had to change their tactics and go away from a direct attacking style. In the 54th minute, Concordia took advantage of a bit of an errant service in the back by CSM. Senior Lisa McClain pounced and played a pass into the middle of the field that allowed freshman Niah Kirchner to knock the ball into the back of the net (career goal No. 2). From that point forward, the Bulldogs fended off five Flames shots and preserved the shutout.
One called upon, keeper Kalie “Rocket” Ward answered the bell. In a key sequence in the second half, the Cheyenne, Wyo., native left her feet to stop a fast break, got up and then denied the rebound shot attempt. Ward made four saves on the afternoon in the process of picking up the shutout. Credit also goes to center back Grace Soenksen and the back line.
Said Goines, “Defensively we did as well as we could. We limited their shots inside the 18 and kept them to difficult finishes. With the wind like it was, you want to keep them out of your area, and they did that well. Rocket came up with a really big double-save in the second half. That really saved the game for us.”
On the attacking end, Kierstynn Garner (seven goals this season) put two shots on frame and took four of the team’s 10 shots overall. The Flame keeper combo of Gabby Felker and Alivia Schade made five saves. CSM (7-5-1, 4-3 GPAC) owned a slight 13-10 edge in the shot count.
This marked the third year in a row that the Bulldogs have beaten the Flames by a 1-0 score. The result on Wednesday puts Concordia within one point of CSM in the GPAC standings. In terms of the current league standings, the most impressive win for the Flames so far has been their 2-1 decision over Midland.
Another in-state rivalry is coming up Saturday when the Bulldogs will host Hastings (8-2-2, 3-2-2 GPAC). Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. CT from Bulldog Stadium. Prior to the game, Concordia will honor its eight seniors: Aliyah Aldama, Caitlin Davis, Allee Downing, Ellie Eason, Lina Kirst, Kadyn Lane, Lisa McClain and Grace Soenksen. The Bulldogs saw their 2021 season end with a 1-0 loss at Hastings in the GPAC tournament quarterfinals.
Concordia celebrates senior night, falls 1-0 to Hastings
October 16, 2022
SEWARD, Neb. – Emotions ran high both prior to kickoff and then throughout the 90 minutes of intense play on Saturday (Oct. 15) evening. On a night the Concordia University Women’s Soccer program celebrated its eight seniors, the Bulldogs came up on the short end of a 1-0 clash with rival Hastings. Concordia was limited to three shots on goal while having a tough evening on the attack.
All three losses for the Bulldogs (8-4-2, 3-4-2 GPAC) during the month of October have been decided by a margin of one goal. Head Coach Thomas Goines still felt encouraged by much of what he saw on Saturday.
“Whenever Hastings and Concordia play it’s a tough match,” Goines said. “You knew it was going to be physical and it was going to be fast. Tactics seemed to take a back seat to the intensity and the physicality of that game. This was no different – another 1-0 game. Unfortunately we’ve been on the wrong side of those a couple times now. I can’t be prouder of the girls. They kept their composure and played with a level of class that I expect of them.”
All eight Concordia seniors were included in the starting lineup. Though sidelined for the season by injury, Kadyn Lane even got the nod in order to allow her name to be called one more time. Collectively, the seniors gave the Broncos their best shot. Not a single goal was scored during the run of play. Hastings got the deciding goal in the 31st minute via Dekota Schubert’s successful penalty kick. The Broncos then went to work on snuffing out any Bulldog attacking chances.
Hastings keeper Sofie Jackson-Pederson came through with three saves to preserve the shutout. Two shots were put on frame by Concordia’s Lina Kirst while freshman Kierstynn Garner had one particularly dangerous run in the second half. On the other end, it was a fine night for Bulldog keeper Kalie Ward, who collected eight saves. Concordia continues to display gritty qualities that routinely give it a fighting chance.
The senior class sets the tone for that type of attitude. It’s a group that will never forget the 2020 GPAC tournament title run that actually occurred in the spring of 2021. The eight seniors honored during pregame festivities were: Aliyah Aldama, Caitlin Davis, Allee Downing, Ellie Eason, Lina Kirst, Kadyn Lane, Lisa McClain and Grace Soenksen. Former assistant coach Chris Luther also dropped in to show his appreciation.
Said Goines, “It’s a great weekend to be able to celebrate four years of effort and commitment to a program. All eight of these women have done so much for us. They’ve grown so much and it’s been an honor to be part of their journeys.”
By the end of Saturday night, Concordia sat in a tie for seventh place (11 points) in the league standings. Work is yet to be done to ensure the seniors get another shot at a postseason run. Hastings (10-2-2, 5-2-2 GPAC) resides in fourth place. Goines says his squad will put the focus on its next opponent.
The Bulldogs will be at home again on Wednesday to host defending GPAC tournament champion Briar Cliff (10-1-2, 8-0-1 GPAC) in a tilt set to get underway at 5:30 p.m. CT. The Chargers are unbeaten in conference play with their one league tie coming at Hastings. Concordia will attempt to avenge it’s 3-0 loss endured last season at Briar Cliff.
GPAC positioning on the line in battles with Briar Cliff, Presentation
October 17, 2022
SEWARD, Neb. – Critical conference points will be on the line this week as the Concordia University Women’s Soccer team hosts GPAC title contender Briar Cliff on Wednesday and then travels to Presentation on Saturday. The Bulldogs are coming off a week that featured two contests decided by 1-0 scores. Concordia won, 1-0, at College of Saint Mary on Oct. 12 and then fell at the hands of Hastings, 1-0, on Oct. 15. Head Coach Thomas Goines’ squad enters this week at 8-4-2 overall (3-4-2 GPAC).
This Week
Wednesday, Oct. 19 vs. Briar Cliff (10-1-2, 8-0-1 GPAC), 5:30 p.m.
--Live Webcast/Stats | Location: Bulldog Stadium (Seward, Neb.)
Saturday, Oct. 22 at Presentation (5-4-3, 2-4-2 GPAC), 1 p.m.
--Live Webcast | Live Stats | Location: Saints Soccer Field (Aberdeen, S.D.)
By the numbers
· There’s work to be done in terms of ensuring a spot in the GPAC tournament that begins with the quarterfinals on Nov. 2. The Bulldogs are currently tied with Morningside for seventh place (11 points) while situated just behind the likes of Midland (14 points) and College of Saint Mary (12 points) and just in front of Doane (10 points). The top eight teams in the standings participate in the league playoffs. As a program, Concordia has qualified for GPAC postseason 13-straight years and won GPAC tournament titles in 2014, 2016 and 2020.
· Through 14 games, the Bulldogs have outscored their opponents by a combined total of 29-12. Concordia has outscored its league foes, 15-8. In the most recent official GPAC ratings, the Bulldogs were no longer listed in the top six. A new NAIA Women’s Soccer Modified Ratings Percentage Index will be released on Wednesday. In the edition unveiled on Sept. 28, Concordia landed at No. 43 in the NAIA. Individually, four Bulldogs have scored at least three goals this season: Kierstynn Garner (seven), Ellie Eason (four), Lina Kirst (four) and Elena Ruiz (three). Niah Kirchner has a team high three assists.
· The Bulldogs have beaten College of Saint Mary by a 1-0 score in each of the past three series meetings. Incredibly, the Flames have not managed to score a goal against Concordia since 2015. The latest meeting came down to Kirchner’s goal in the 54th minute (assisted by Lisa McClain). The game was affected significantly by strong wind gusts – the Bulldogs actually got their one goal while going against the wind. Concordia was outshot slightly, 13-10, but had edges in shots on goal, 6-4, and corners, 4-3. Kalie Ward earned credit for the shutout while making four saves.
· There have been plenty of close battles in recent years with Hastings, which ended the Bulldogs’ 2021 season in the GPAC quarterfinals, 1-0. It was a physical and intense clash last week without a single goal scored in the run of play. Dekota Schubert gave the Broncos a lead they would not surrender with a penalty kick goal in the 31st minute. Two shots were put on frame by Kirst while Garner had one particularly dangerous run in the second half. On the other end, it was a fine night for Ward, who collected eight saves.
· Since beginning the season at 6-0, Concordia has ridden the wave of an up-and-down conference slate. Goines has not been disappointed by the fight and effort of this group, which has had a legitimate chance to win in every game it’s played. Against teams currently situated in the top four of the league standings, the Bulldogs lost by 1-0 scores to Jamestown and Hastings and had a 1-1 draw at Dordt in a game they led with 66 seconds left in regulation. In other words, the margins have been slim for a Concordia team that feels like it isn’t far off from being a top three or four team in the GPAC. One impressive note – the Bulldogs are now 5-2-1 in away games after last week’s win at CSM.
The opponents
The defending GPAC tournament champion and 2021 NAIA national qualifier, Briar Cliff has a showdown looming with Jamestown on Oct. 29. But first, the Chargers will be at Concordia this week and at Midland on Oct. 26. The player to watch out for is freshman Mady Soumare, a native of Paris, France, who has racked up 16 goals (10th most in the NAIA) this fall. On the season, Briar Cliff has outscored its opponents, 48-9, and has outshot them, 150-53. Keeper Ruby Campa’s goals against average of 0.72 ranks 27th best nationally. Head Coach Clark Charlestin is in his second season leading the program.
Presentation first began competing as a GPAC member (soccer only) in 2018. At 2-4-2 in league play this season, the Saints are currently on the outside of a top eight standing needed to qualify for the GPAC tournament. Presentation will be at Northwestern on Wednesday night before hosting the Bulldogs on Saturday. Through 12 games, Presentation has been outscored, 21-17, by its opponents. Jayda Hammer leads the team with three goals. Head Coach John Mclean is in his fourth season leading the program.
Next week
Concordia will conclude the regular season on Oct. 26 by hosting Doane. The GPAC tournament will begin with the quarterfinals on Nov. 2.
Bulldogs shut out as Briar Cliff remains unbeaten in GPAC play
October 19, 2022
SEWARD, Neb. – The Concordia University Women’s Soccer team had its hands full on Wednesday (Oct. 19) with one of the nation’s most prolific goal scoring teams. Mady Soumare and the Chargers emerged from Bulldog Stadium with a 3-0 victory while controlling the action. The Bulldogs surrendered a goal in the 14th minute and never recovered in a game that was uncharacteristically one-sided.
Head Coach Thomas Goines’ squad had come off a 1-0 loss to Hastings in which no goals were scored in the run of play. Concordia slipped to 8-5-2 overall and 3-5-2 in GPAC play with two games remaining in the regular season.
“Any time you give a good team a couple goal lead, it makes everything exponentially harder,” Goines said. “Their first couple goals were just really good soccer. They knocked it around. Their second goal came on a really good sequence of play and a really nice finish. Certainly we hoped to defend a little better, but there was some high quality play in the first half. That second half we challenged the girls to respond with energy. The second half was much more representative of who we are as a group.”
In order to pull off the upset, the Bulldogs needed to capitalize on whatever attacking chances they could muster. Those opportunities were extremely limited (four shots and two shots on goal). On the other end, Soumare and her attacking mates showed off some flair in combination play that resulted in two well-executed first half goals. Ariana Rodriguez had the first and Soumare put away the second. The visitors from Sioux City, Iowa, led the shot count, 11-4.
Concordia managed to more adequately mark the Charger strikers over the final 45 minutes. The only goal during that stretch was an own goal that provided Briar Cliff a commanding 3-0 advantage. One of the biggest highlights of the second half for the Bulldogs was a diving save made by Kalie “Rocket” Ward at the 75-minute mark. It was still a two-goal game at the time.
It’s just a matter of time before freshman Kierstynn Garner gets back into the goal scoring column. Still the team’s top goal scorer with seven goals in 2022, Garner put one shot on frame on Wednesday. Garner and Soumare represent two of the league’s most talented freshmen. Soumare has put away 17 goals for the defending GPAC tournament champion Chargers (11-1-2, 9-0-1 GPAC).
Said Goines, “The second half is where we want to play in terms of energy level. We’ve seen it most of the year but maybe had it dip in the first half. It’s playoffs now. We’re in playoff mode. We have to win to continue getting chances to play in the playoffs. That’s where we’re at as a team and where we’re at in the season. The focus has to be on finding results.”
The Bulldogs will take to the road this weekend, bound for Aberdeen, S.D., where they will take on Presentation (6-4-3, 3-4-2 GPAC). Kickoff from Saints Soccer Field is slated for 1 p.m. CT. Concordia has won all four meetings with the Saints since they joined the GPAC beginning with the 2018 season. Last year’s clash ended in a 2-0 victory for the Bulldogs.
Shutout, Andrews goal lead to crucial 1-0 win at Presentation
October 22, 2022
ABERDEEN, S.D. – The Concordia University Women’s Soccer team entered a weekend road trip up north knowing its season is on the line. Aided by a Savannah Andrews goal and an overall stout defensive effort, the Bulldogs picked up a 1-0 win at Presentation that they had to have on Saturday (Oct. 22). Most impressively, Concordia limited the host Saints to just three shots.
Head Coach Thomas Goines’ squad picked up three league standings points and better positioned itself for a spot in the GPAC tournament. With just one game left in the regular season, the Bulldogs have moved to 4-5-2 within league play (9-5-2 overall).
“In the GPAC right now, pretty much teams four through 10 are competitive matches,” Goines said. “I think everybody is beating everybody up. It’s reflected in the standings. Presentation is far improved from where they have been. We knew coming here on a long trip was going to be a challenge. We’re happy to find a result in a tough place to play. We generally managed most of the match.”
As Goines noted, keeper Kalie “Rocket” Ward made a “huge save” not long after kickoff that prevented Concordia from having to play catch up on the road. Then in the 24th minute, Savannah Andrews slotted in the game’s first goal, off an assist from Niah Kirchner. From that point forward, Presentation (6-5-3, 3-5-2 GPAC) did not register another shot until the 84th minute. Saints top goal scorer Jayda Hammer did not fire even one shot.
Ward collected three saves as part of the defensive-minded battle. A freshman from Gretna, Neb., Andrews put two shots on frame (most of any player in the game). It wasn’t a contest about offensive firepower though, this was 90 minutes ruled by Concordia’s strong defensive play. The Bulldogs shored things up following this past Wednesday’s 3-0 loss to Briar Cliff (now 9-0-1 in GPAC play).
Said Goines, “We’ve decided who we are going to be and a defensively-sound team is one of those core principles. The girls bought into it. We made the effort to make sure the first ball wasn’t going to be behind us. It took an entire team to do. We had good play from our keeper and our backline and our midfield did a great job.”
As of Saturday night, Concordia resided in a tie for sixth place in the GPAC standings. Ten teams are in serious contention for the eight conference tournament positions. The goal is to extend the program’s active streak of 13-straight years of reaching GPAC postseason play.
The Bulldogs will be at home on Wednesday to finish up the regular season. The opponent will be rival Doane (7-7-2, 4-5-1 GPAC) with kickoff at 5:30 p.m. CT from Bulldog Stadium. Concordia has won each of the last nine series meetings with the Tigers. Both sides are in a fight to try to make the GPAC tournament.
Postseason hopes on the line as Bulldogs set to wrap up regular season on Wednesday
October 24, 2022
SEWARD, Neb. – Both sides will be treating it like a playoff game on Wednesday night when the Concordia University Women’s Soccer team welcomes Doane to Bulldog Stadium. The Bulldogs and Tigers are in the hunt for the six through eight spots in the GPAC standings with the regular season set to conclude this week. Head Coach Thomas Goines’ squad currently resides in a tie for sixth place in the GPAC. Where many league teams have two games to play this week, Concordia (9-5-2, 4-5-2 GPAC) will have a bye this Saturday.
This Week
Wednesday, Oct. 26 vs. Doane (7-7-2, 4-5-1 GPAC), 5:30 p.m.
--Live Webcast/Stats | Location: Bulldog Stadium (Seward, Neb.)
Saturday, Oct. 29 – Bye
By the numbers
· The Bulldog program has reached the GPAC tournament in each of the previous 13 seasons (missed the postseason most recently in 2008). The current standings remain muddled as the likes of Concordia (14 points), Morningside (14 points), Doane (13 points), College of Saint Mary (12 points) and Presentation (11 points) fight for the sixth through eight seeds in the GPAC tournament. Things will clear up a bit after Wednesday night. If the Bulldogs can hold off Doane at home, they would be a near lock to finish top eight. All Concordia wants is a shot. Its veteran players were part of the 2020 GPAC tournament title run.
· The series with Doane has been a lopsided one in recent years as the Bulldogs have taken each of the past nine meetings. Several of the matchups have been blowouts with Concordia winning 7-0 in 2020, 5-0 in 2018 and 5-0 in 2016. The Tigers’ most recent win in the series occurred in 2013 by a 3-1 score. Doane once held a commanding lead in the all-time series that now favors the Tigers just barely, 16-15. Last season’s meeting was a competitive one with the Bulldogs taking it, 1-0, on the strength of Michaela Twito’s goal in the 44th minute.
· Based on how league play has transpired, the Bulldogs knew they would have to play close to flawless in order to beat Briar Cliff last week. The Chargers showed some flair on the attack in building a 2-0 lead by halftime. An own goal put the contest completely out of reach and allowed Briar Cliff (11-1-3, 9-0-1 GPAC) to remain unbeaten within the conference. One of the biggest highlights of the second half for the Bulldogs was a diving save made by Kalie “Rocket” Ward at the 75-minute mark. It was still a two-goal game at the time. The Chargers outshot Concordia, 10-4, although the Bulldogs had a slight edge in corners, 3-2.
· The mid-week loss basically made the match at Presentation a ‘must have.’ Concordia rose to the challenge, particularly in its defensive play in limiting the Saints (6-5-3, 3-5-2 GPAC) to three total shots. The Bulldogs just had to find that one goal, which they did in the 24th minute courtesy of freshman Savannah Andrews, a native of Gretna, Neb. She was assisted by fellow freshman Niah Kirchner. As part of the shutout (the team’s eighth this season), Ward made three saves. Andrews led all players in the game with two shots on goal.
· Youth in the attack has shown up during GPAC play as Concordia has relied upon gritty defensive play to keep close with some of the league’s top teams. The Bulldogs have not scored more than one goal in a game since their 5-0 home win over Dakota Wesleyan on Oct. 1. There have been four games decided by 1-0 scores during the month of October, including wins over College of Saint Mary and Presentation and losses to Jamestown and Hastings. Overall this season, Concordia has tallied 30 goals while surrendering 15. Talented freshman Kierstynn Garner has been stuck on seven goals since last scoring at Mount Marty on Sept. 17.
The opponent
Doane has made a big leap forward after finishing 2021 at 3-13-1 overall (1-10-1 GPAC). Head Coach Jennifer Kennedy-Croft’s squad finds itself with a chance to play in the postseason in 2022. It’s been a topsy-turvy ride through conference play as the Tigers have posted wins over teams like Dordt and College of Saint Mary and have also been routed by the likes of Morningside, 3-0, Hastings, 6-1, and Midland, 4-0. On the season, Doane has scored 29 goals and has allowed 30. Four different Tiger players have five or more goals this season: Michaela Thompson (six), Lexi Torok (six), Celeste Galvan (five) and McKenna Rathbun (five).
Next week
The GPAC tournament will get underway with the quarterfinals on Wednesday, Nov. 2. The semifinals will follow on Nov. 5 with the championship game slated for Nov. 10.
Under pressure, Bulldogs defeat Doane, lock up postseason berth
October 26, 2022
SEWARD, Neb. – With the season on the line in back-to-back games, the Concordia University Women’s Soccer team came through. An early goal on Wednesday (Oct. 26) from freshman Kierstynn Garner allowed the Bulldogs to settle in and control the action in a 2-0 victory over visiting Doane. The result gave a proper sendoff to the senior class, which likely played for the final time in Bulldog Stadium.
Head Coach Thomas Goines’ squad concludes the regular season at 5-5-2 in GPAC play (10-5-2 overall). The 17 league points put Concordia in sixth place as of Wednesday night. The Bulldogs have assured themselves a spot in the GPAC tournament.
“We definitely put ourselves under pressure with some results we didn’t like, but the girls have responded well against two very tough opponents to finish the season,” Goines said. “Doane was playing with everything on the line for them, so we knew they were going to give us the best game they could. We had to respond to that. I was really proud of the effort the girls put out there, finding a couple goals and taking the seal off a little bit. We’re really happy to give ourselves a chance in the postseason.”
Not only did the Bulldogs keep the 2022 season alive, they also continued their series ownership of the Tigers. The series win streak moved to 10 (dating back to 2013) on a night when Concordia was the clear aggressor. Impressively, the Bulldogs earned the clean sheet against a Doane side coming off a 6-4 win over Dordt. Concordia ruled the final shot count, 16-7, on Wednesday and had opportunities to make it a rout.
Garner’s goal in the seventh minute (assisted nicely by Aliyah Aldama) relieved whatever pressure the Bulldogs may have felt against a rival also fighting for a shot at the postseason. Additionally, Garner had a breakaway shot hit the right post minutes later. The Kearney, Neb., native remained active in assisting fellow freshman Savannah Andrews’ goal in the 54th minute. A talented freshman duo, Garner (eight) and Andrews (four) have combined for 12 goals this season.
This game was as much about what Concordia did in limiting Doane as it was about offensive prowess. Said Goines, “Doane is very dangerous, especially in the counterattack. We had to focus on that the last couple of days. We knew they were going to come fast and physical and fly at us. We had to manage the ball a little more and possess. We were able to establish the ball for large portions of the game and minimize their counterattack.”
Downing and the senior class were determined to give themselves one more chance to make a run like they did in the spring of 2021 when they celebrated a GPAC tournament title. Said Downing, “I think it helps that we have a lot of seniors on the field, and I think we realized that we had to give it everything. We passed that on to the underclassmen. We had to give it our all the last two games in order to have a chance to play on.”
Doane has proven to be a vastly better team than it was a year ago (outscored 40-13 in 2021). Heading into the weekend, the Tigers (7-8-2, 4-6-1 GPAC) have put up 13 standings points and are tied for ninth. While trying to earn a win over Concordia for the first time since 2013, Doane put five shots on goal – each of which were denied by senior goalkeeper Kalie Ward. On the other end, the Bulldogs put 10 shots on frame.
Now the Bulldogs wait for everyone else to play this weekend. Official GPAC tournament pairings will be announced on Saturday when regular season action has gone final. Unofficially, Concordia will be either the No. 6 or 7 seed.
2022 GPAC women's soccer quarterfinal preview: Concordia at Briar Cliff
October 31, 2022
SEWARD, Neb. – Thanks to a pair of wins to close the regular season, the Concordia University Women’s Soccer team earned a shot in the postseason. The program will appear in the GPAC tournament for a 14th straight year while preparing to go up against second-seeded Briar Cliff. The seventh-seeded Bulldogs will be headed to Faber Field in Sioux City, Iowa, for a 1 p.m. CT kickoff on Wednesday as part of the GPAC quarterfinal round. Head Coach Thomas Goines’ squad went 10-5-2 (5-5-2 GPAC) during the regular season.
This Week
GPAC Quarterfinals: Wednesday, Nov. 2 at Briar Cliff (12-1-4, 10-0-2 GPAC), 1 p.m.
--Live Webcast | Live Stats | Location: Faber Field (Sioux City, Iowa)
--Admission: $10 for adults/senior citizens, $3 for K-12; only those with NAIA passes and GPAC student ID’s are admitted free of charge.
GPAC Semifinals: Saturday, Nov. 5 (if win on Wednesday)
--Concordia/Briar Cliff winner will play the Hastings/Morningside winner
By the numbers
· Concordia would like to channel the postseason success the program has enjoyed in recent years. Over the previous nine GPAC tournaments, the Bulldogs have reached at least the semifinals seven times and have played in the championship game six times (five straight years from 2014 through 2018). The program celebrated GPAC postseason championships in 2014, 2016 and 2020. Goines was at the controls for the run in 2020, which actually occurred in the spring of 2021 due to the schedule being affected by COVID-19. There are five players on the current roster who started the 2020 GPAC tournament final: Aliyah Aldama, Allee Downing, Ellie Eason, Lina Kirst and Grace Soenksen.
· Concordia has taken ownership of the rivalry with Doane. The Bulldogs have won all 10 meetings since 2013, allowing the program to even the all-time series, 16-16. In the latest matchup (on Oct. 26), Concordia relieved some of the pressure it may have felt – with its season on the line – when freshman Kierstynn Garner found the back of the net in the seventh minute (assisted by Aldama). Breathing room came in the 54th minute when Savannah Andrews notched her fourth goal this season with the help of Garner’s pass. There were chances to score again, but the Bulldogs won somewhat comfortably, 2-0, while owning a 15-7 advantage in shots. Keeper Kalie Ward made four saves in the process of earning a shutout.
· Getting Garner going on the attack could be a key to Concordia’s ability to make a run in the postseason. The Kearney High School product leads the team with eight goals this season. She came close to a second goal in the win over Doane when one of her shots hit the right post. Garner had not scored a goal since putting away two goals in the win over Mount Marty on Sept. 17. She has also paced the team with four game-winners. Three of her teammates have scored four goals apiece this season: Andrews, Eason and Kirst.
· As a team, the Bulldogs have outscored their foes, 32-15, and have outshot them, 138-81, in 2022. The team’s season high for goals was six in the 6-0 win over Mount Marty on Sept. 17. Last week’s shutout of Doane marked the ninth of the season for Concordia, which has gotten solid goalkeeper play from Ward (8-5-2 record this season). Among conference teams, the Bulldogs rank sixth in goals scored and fourth in goals against average (0.83). Within conference play, Concordia outscored its foes, 18-11.
· The Bulldogs and Chargers just played each other in Seward on Oct. 19 with the result being a 3-0 win for Briar Cliff. The Chargers got a goal apiece from Ariana Rodriguez and Mady Soumare in the first half and then got the benefit of an own goal in the second half. The Chargers went unbeaten this season in GPAC play (10-0-2) and haven’t lost to a GPAC team since a 2-0 defeat at Midland on Oct. 27, 2021. Briar Cliff is the defending GPAC tournament champion. Concordia is 16-8 all-time versus the Chargers.
The opponent
As stated, Briar Cliff is looking to defend its 2021 GPAC tournament title. The Chargers have received votes in the national poll while making a dominant run through the regular season. Briar Cliff is fresh off a showdown with conference regular season champion Jamestown, which ended in a 1-1 tie in Sioux City. The Chargers have outscored their opponents, 54-10, behind sensational freshman Mady Soumare (18 goals and four assists). Head Coach Clark Charlestin’s squad was especially impressive within conference, outscoring GPAC foes, 46-4, while registering eight clean sheets.
GPAC tournament pairings
Quarterfinals – Wednesday, Nov. 2
(8) Doane at (1) Jamestown, 6 p.m.
(5) Dordt at (4) Midland, 7:30 p.m.
(6) Morningside at (3) Hastings, 7 p.m.
(7) Concordia at (2) Briar Cliff, 1 p.m.
Semifinals – Saturday, Nov. 5
1/8 winner vs. 4/5 winner, time TBA
2/7 winner vs. 3/6 winner, time TBA
Championship – Thursday, Nov. 10
Highest remaining seed hosts, time TBA
Garner, Ward make for Concordia sweep of GPAC weekly awards
November 1, 2022
SEWARD, Neb. – As a result of their performances in last week’s regular season finale (a 2-0 win over Doane), freshman Kierstynn Garner and senior Kalie “Rocket” Ward have made for a Concordia sweep of the GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Women’s Soccer Player of the Week awards. Garner (Offensive POW) and Ward (Defensive POW) were announced as the conference’s latest honorees on Tuesday (Nov. 1). Ward collected the same GPAC award on Sept. 13.
Ward made four saves last week while earning her fourth clean sheet of the season (ninth as a team). The native of Cheyenne, Wyo., has played in 15 of 17 games (14 starts) in 2022 and has posted a save percentage of .819 and goals against average of 0.91. Ward is in her second season as a starter and has played in 32 games over the past two seasons. Her record as a keeper is 16-12-4. Ward has made 127 career saves in nearly 3,000 minutes of action.
In her first collegiate season, Garner has immediately become the team’s top goal scorer. She notched her eighth goal of the season in the victory over Doane and also assisted the goal scored by Savannah Andrews. A native of Kearney, Neb., Garner has started all 17 games and has produced five game-winning goals. Garner came to Concordia via Kearney High School, where she was a standout in both soccer and basketball.
The postseason is up next. Garner, Ward and the Bulldogs (10-5-2, 5-5-2 GPAC) will play at Briar Cliff at 1 p.m. CT on Wednesday in the GPAC tournament quarterfinals. The winner will play again on Saturday in the semifinals
Bulldogs push Chargers to OT before falling short of postseason upset
Novermber 2, 2022
SIOUX CITY, Iowa – A goal from freshman Niah Kirchner in the 85th minute sparked hopes of a GPAC quarterfinal upset. Those hopes were squelched in extra time by second-seeded Briar Cliff, which got a goal apiece in the first and second overtimes on Wednesday (Nov. 2) afternoon and sent the seventh-seeded Concordia University Women’s Soccer team to a 3-1 defeat. Under new overtime rules for the postseason, two 10-minute overtimes were played out to completion.
Head Coach Thomas Goines’ squad saw its season end with an overall record of 10-6-2. The Bulldogs were looking to pull the upset of the Chargers (receiving votes nationally) and avenge the 3-0 loss from the regular season.
“They came out with a chip on their shoulder today,” Goines said. “Briar Cliff’s a very good team. If there are 25 teams better than them (in the NAIA), I’d be surprised. We came out and executed like we have all year against good teams. It felt more like a semifinal or a final than a quarterfinal.
“Niah’s ability to find it and put it away in a really big moment was awesome. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to keep that going in overtime. Overall, I’m very proud of the girls and their effort today.”
Concordia’s 2022 postseason roster included five players who started the 2020 GPAC championship game victory over Jamestown. In other words, the Bulldogs had hopes of channeling that magic by shocking the Chargers. The formula of gritty defensive play used on Wednesday is a familiar one for the Concordia program. The Bulldogs didn’t have many attacking chances, but they effectively hung within a goal by forcing difficult shots for Briar Cliff.
Because the Chargers (13-1-4) failed to add that second goal, Concordia just had to seize on one opportunity. The hustle of Kirchner put her in position to play a shot over the head of the keeper for a goal with just over five minutes left in regulation. It was a tie game despite the Bulldogs having registered only four shots over 90 minutes.
In overtime, Briar Cliff scored in roughly a minute-and-a-half on a play that involved one of Concordia’s center backs going down with an injury. The Chargers pounced with what proved to be the game winning goal by Sydney Robbins. Down 2-1, the Bulldogs were forced to push numbers forward and subsequently surrendered a counterattack goal by Taylor Alkire (second of the game). That score sewed up Briar Cliff’s spot in the GPAC semifinals on Saturday.
Barring a late decision to use a COVID year, nine seniors have finished their Concordia soccer careers. That group includes keeper Kalie “Rocket” Ward, who made five saves on Wednesday. It also features past all-conference award winners in Allee Downing (Sioux City native) and Grace Soenksen (the fifth Soenksen sibling to play at Concordia). Seniors in Wednesday’s starting 11 were Downing, Soenksen and Ward in addition to Aliyah Aldama, Ellie Eason and Lisa McClain. That class will always remember the strange COVID year of 2020-21 when the Bulldogs won three GPAC tournament games in the spring while celebrating a championship.
Said Goines, “We have nine young women who put four-plus years into this program. It’s been a heck of a ride for them. When that moment comes where you realize it’s the last time you get to put on a Bulldog jersey, it’s a sad moment. I couldn’t be more proud of those seniors. They’ve put in the kind of effort that will be hard to follow going forward.”
The 2022 season was characterized by a mixture of senior leaders who helped welcome in a talented group of freshmen. Highlights of the campaign included a 6-0 start and the 1-0 win at then 25th-ranked Benedictine College (Kan.) back in September. Kierstynn Garner (team high eight goals) headlined a freshman class that will be a big part of the future for Concordia Women’s Soccer.
Soenksen earns third career First Team All-GPAC award; trio of Dawgs awarded
November 14, 2022
First Team
Grace Soenksen
Second Team
Kierstynn Garner
Honorable Mention
Ellie Eason
SEWARD, Neb. – Senior center back Grace Soenksen has accomplished the rare feat of being named a first team all-conference selection for a third time. Soenksen was one of three Bulldogs to represent the Concordia University Women’s Soccer program on the 2022 all-conference team announced on Monday (Nov. 14) by the GPAC. In addition, freshman forward Kierstynn Garner landed on the second team and senior midfielder Ellie Eason was recognized as an honorable mention award winner.
Head Coach Thomas Goines’ squad concluded the 2022 season at 10-6-2 overall (5-5-2 GPAC) while qualifying for the conference tournament.
A Lincoln Lutheran High School alum, Soenksen enjoyed a phenomenal four-year career with the Bulldogs. During her time at Concordia, Soenksen played in 72 games (69 starts) and helped the 2020 squad win the GPAC tournament title and qualify for the national tournament. The three-time first team All-GPAC center back also notched five goals and three assists in her career. The only other three-time first team all-league player in program history was Maria Deeter, another Lincoln Lutheran graduate. Grace was the fifth different Soenksen sibling to play soccer at Concordia.
Garner figures to be a big part of the future for the Bulldogs. As a rookie, the Kearney High School product paced the team with eight goals while adding one assist. Garner started all 18 games and produced five game winning goals, including the difference maker in the 1-0 victory at then 25th-ranked Benedictine College (Kan.). Garner put away two goals apiece in wins over Graceland University (Iowa) and Mount Marty.
Eason, who hails from Kirkland, Wash., was a four-year stalwart similar to Soenksen. Also an NAIA Scholar-Athlete, Eason posted a career high four goals (and one assist) in 2022 as a steadying force in the midfield. Eason’s role was more about winning the ball and maintaining possession than it was about scoring goals. She played in 71 games during her collegiate career and posted five goals and three assists. Like Soenksen, Eason was a starter on the ’20 GPAC postseason championship team
Downing, Eason selected to 2022 Academic All-District Teams
November 15, 2022
College Sports Communicators Release
SEWARD, Neb. – For their work in the classroom and on the playing field, seniors Allee Downing and Ellie Eason of the Concordia University Women’s Soccer program have been honored by College Sports Communicators. The organization named Downing and Eason to its 2022 Academic All-District Women’s Soccer Team released on Tuesday (Nov. 15). Both Downing and Eason have received this honor for the first time in their careers.
The 2022 Academic All-District® Men’s and Women's Soccer Teams, selected by College Sports Communicators, recognize the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom. Student-athletes must achieve a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher in order to be nominated for this award. The CSC Academic All-America® program separately recognizes soccer honorees in four divisions — NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA — for each gender.
A Sioux City, Iowa, native, Downing did not miss a single game during her four collegiate seasons. She appeared in all 74 games and was a key figure for the 2020 squad that won the GPAC tournament title and qualified for the national tournament. Downing has played an outside back role while helping Concordia consistently rank as one of the toughest teams in the GPAC to score upon. Downing notched two goals and two assists in her Bulldog career. She was named Second Team All-GPAC in 2020 and Honorable Mention All-GPAC in 2021 and has been an NAIA Scholar-Athlete while studying Biology.
Eason, who hails from Kirkland, Wash., was named a 2022 Honorable Mention All-GPAC selection. She has been a dependable four-year contributor just like Downing. Also an NAIA Scholar-Athlete, Eason posted a career high four goals (and one assist) in 2022 as a steadying force in the midfield. Eason’s role was more about winning the ball and maintaining possession than it was about scoring goals. She played in 71 games during her collegiate career and posted five goals and three assists. Eason was a starter on the ’20 GPAC postseason championship team. Eason majors in Environmental Science.
Academic All-District® honorees advance to the CSC Academic All-America® ballot. First-, second- and third-team Academic All-America® honorees will be announced in early December.
Season-In-Review: 6-0 start, win over Benedictine highlight 2022 campaign
November 18, 2022
There were ups and downs in 2022, but the Concordia University Women’s Soccer team proved it could hang with anyone in the GPAC while also making history with the longest unbeaten run the program has ever had to begin a season. Ultimately, the Bulldogs hit the 10-win mark behind a uniquely blended starting 11. A group of nine seniors set the tone and helped mentor a talented freshman class that became a major part of the present and the future.
Head Coach Thomas Goines believes the ’22 campaign can be one that lays a foundation for future Concordia teams to return to GPAC title contention. That’s the standard that has been set in place by recent Bulldog sides.
“There were a lot of good moments this season,” Goines said. “Any time you win 10 games, it’s a pretty good year. Certainly the expectation is to challenge for championships. We fell short of that mark, but we had a good year. From the beginning, we knew we had to blend in some of the younger players. We had to figure out how quickly they could contribute and get into the flow with our returning players. That was the exciting part for us. We had some very good returning players with a lot of experience and championship level experience. We started out strong and had a middle of the season where we had to work through some things and figure out who we were going to be. By the end of the year, we were on the right trajectory and playing at a high level.”
The season came to a close on Nov. 2 in the GPAC quarterfinals when a gritty Concordia team gave eventual national qualifier Briar Cliff all it could handle. A late Niah Kirchner goal forced overtime before the Chargers eventually prevailed. The final overall record for the Bulldogs stood at 10-6-2. As part of the journey, Concordia raised some eyebrows when it started 6-0-2 with a victory at then 25th-ranked Benedictine College (Kan.), a perennially strong program that the Bulldogs had never beaten.
Upon returning to Seward on the evening of Sept. 10 after it defeated Benedictine, Concordia rang the bell, signaling that this was a team capable of making noise. The Bulldogs also hung right with two other GPAC national qualifiers in 1-0 losses to both Hastings and Jamestown. With Grace Soenksen again playing at a First Team All-GPAC level at center back, Concordia retained an identity as a blue-collar outfit that was tough to crack on its defensive half.
“That was a great moment (at Benedictine), and you could tell our alumni were stoked that we pulled something off the program hadn’t previously done,” Goines said. “At the end of the day, it was a fun game and showed the potential of our team. We went into a place that’s hard to win at. It was a really cool experience for the girls to have. I think it fed into the season as we played other high-quality teams. We let one match against Briar Cliff get away from us, but we came back and took them to overtime (in the GPAC tournament). We weren’t far off the mark. We were competitive against good teams but found ourselves on the wrong side of some 1-0 games. The season as a whole is one they can be proud of.”
In that final game of the season, the starting 11 included six seniors and five freshmen. That dynamic was a theme that played out over the course of the 2022 season. The senior starting group was made up of Aliyah Aldama, Allee Downing, Ellie Eason, Lisa McClain, Soenksen and Kalie Ward. There were also contributions made by Caitlin Davis, Lina Kirst and Kadyn Lane. The way they helped lead the freshmen along will have an impact on what happens in 2023 and beyond. Each of those seniors were part of the GPAC tournament championship run in 2020.
An intriguing story, Ward (aka “Rocket”) became a two-year starting keeper all while fulfilling military duties. A rock her entire career, the Sioux City, Iowa, native Downing played in all 72 Concordia games over the past four seasons. At center back, Soenksen became just the second player in program history to earn three First Team All-GPAC awards (joining Maria Deeter). She was the fifth Soenksen sibling to play soccer for the Bulldogs. Lastly, Eason picked up Honorable Mention All-GPAC accolades in 2022 and tallied four goals. Said Goines, “The seniors gave a lot to our freshmen as far as experience, knowledge and emotional strength to get through a tough conference.”
The freshman class supplied a sorely needed supply of offensive firepower. Named Second Team All-GPAC, Kearney High School product Kierstynn Garner burst onto the scene while displaying her speed and athleticism. Garner led the team with eight goals, including five game winners. Other freshmen that contributed offensively were Savannah Andrews (four goals), Kirchner (three goals, four assists) and Elena Ruiz (three goals, one assist). On the back line, Hannah Kile stepped in when Taylor Slaymaker went down with an injury. Additionally, Shi-Lynn Yon started 15 games.
Many of those names will be the backbone of the ’23 squad. Said Goines, “I’m very excited for what the next few years look like for this program. I’m excited about the incoming class and some of the players we are talking to. Then if you look at the players we’re returning in this program, we return a large percentage of our goal scoring and midfield play. We’re going to be heavy on sophomores and juniors next year and have a good core group. We should be able to find consistency day-in and day-out.”
A prolific goal scorer during her high school career, Garner has the potential to become one of the very best strikers in the GPAC. “To be our leading scorer and get all-conference recognition as a freshman is a big deal,” Goines said. “She’s only scratching the surface. Not only is she a good athlete and goal scorer, she’s a really good person and a good teammate. She’s a humble person. I’m excited to see how she grows and continues on. She always wants more and wants the team to achieve more. It’ll be fun to watch the next three years and just how far she can take it.”
As Garner does her thing up top, Goines will happily welcome Slaymaker back into the mix as she continues to rehab and make her way back for 2023. Concordia will have a new keeper next season and will say goodbye to a wealth of experienced veterans. However, the Bulldogs know they have talent. Colorado Springs native Hannah Haas will be the team’s most experienced senior on the ’23 roster. The spring semester will help to define new leaders and form a new identity.
Said Goines, “We open up five or six spots that were filled by those graduating seniors. You don’t just replace them. We’ll continue to develop the current players. It’s their turn to show they can play at that level – or beyond. Our spring is going to be finding those vocal leaders, those lead-by-example players and the ‘team mom.’ Going forward, this group has to create its own identity. I’m excited to see where it goes.”
Women's soccer program places 13 Bulldogs on 2022 NAIA Scholar-Athlete list
November 28, 2022
2022 NAIA Women’s Soccer Scholar-Athletes
SEWARD, Neb. – The Concordia University Women’s Soccer program is well-represented on the list of 2022 Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athletes. Thirteen Bulldogs were honored with NAIA Scholar-Athlete status, as announced on Monday (Nov. 28). That number is an increase from the nine Scholar-Athletes the program garnered for the 2021-22 academic year.
The 2022 list of women’s soccer honorees includes 1,557 student-athletes. In order to be nominated by an institution’s head coach or sports information director, a student-athlete must maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, must appear on the eligibility certificate for the sport and have attended one full year at said institution.
Below is the list of Bulldog Scholar-Athletes. Repeat honorees for the program include Aliyah Aldama, Allee Downing, Ellie Eason, Lina Kirst, Kadyn Lane and Lisa McClain.
Concordia University ranks as the NAIA’s all-time leader in number of Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athletes with 2,121 entering the 2022-23 academic year. The school record for number of Scholar-Athletes in one academic year is 226 achieved in 2019-20. Concordia has been a regular national leader for both Scholar-Athletes and Scholar-Teams.
2022 Women’s Soccer NAIA Scholar-Athletes
· Aliyah Aldama (Torrance, Calif.)
· Lilley Barber (Overland Park, Kan.)
· Allee Downing (Sioux City, Iowa)
· Ellie Eason (Kirkland, Wash.)
· Emily Howard (Overland Park, Kan.)
· Lina Kirst (Koeln, Germany)
· Kadyn Lane (Phoenix, Ariz.)
· Lisa McClain (Fraser, Colo.)
· Lauren Edmond (Gastonia, N.C.)
· Senna McMullen (Olathe, Kan.)
· Molly Roberts (Columbus, Neb.)
· Taylor Slaymaker (Kearney, Neb.)
· Katelyn Smith (Omaha, Neb.)
Garner, Soenksen highlight Concordia All-Midlands Team selections
December 25, 2022
Omaha World-Herald news article
SEWARD, Neb. – As a reward for their performances throughout the fall, five Bulldogs have been named to the 2022 NAIA/NCAA Division III All-Midlands Women’s Soccer Team, as announced by the Omaha World-Herald on Saturday (Dec. 24). Kierstynn Garner and Grace Soenksen represented the Concordia University Women’s Soccer program on the primary 11-person team chosen by the Omaha news outlet. Meanwhile, three Bulldogs garnered honorable mention status: Allee Downing, Ellie Eason and Kalie Ward. They helped Concordia to an overall record of 10-6-2 in 2022.
2022 Concordia All-Midlands honorees
Kierstynn Garner, F
2022 – 18 games (18 starts), 8 goals (5 game winners), 1 assist; Second Team All-GPAC.
Grace Soenksen, D
2022 – 18 games (18 starts), 1 goal, 1 assist; First Team All-GPAC.
Allee Downing, D (HM)
2022 – 18 games (18 starts), 1 assist; CSC Academic All-District.
Ellie Eason, MF (HM)
2022 – 18 games (18 starts), 4 goals (1 game winner), 1 assist; Honorable Mention All-GPAC; CSC Academic All-District.
Kalie Ward, D (HM)
2022 – 16 games (15 starts), 64 saves, 1.03 GAA, .800 save %, 4 shutouts, 8-6-2 record.
2022 NAIA/NCAA D-III All-Midlands Team (Omaha World-Herald)
F - Kierstynn Garner, Concordia
F - Naomi Pedroza, Hastings
F - Sami Reding, Bellevue
F - Michaela Thompson, Doane
MF - Ximena Jauregui, Bellevue
MF - Brittany Llames, Midland
* MF - Dekota Schubert, Hastings
D - Mikayla Chase, Midland
D - Megan Lampe, Hastings
D - Grace Soenksen, Concordia
GK - Jenn Amaro, Bellevue
Honorable mention: Bellevue: Sinai Bernal, Claudia Gallegos, Millie Hopkisson, Ella Pelletier, Emma Stock. College of Saint Mary: Abbie Anderson, Kylie Anderson, Jimena Estrada Gomez. Concordia: Allee Downing, Ellie Eason, Kalie Ward. Doane: McKenna Rathbun, Jenna Tardiff. Hastings: Eva Dunker, Sofie Jackson-Pedersen, Dulce Lopez, Miley Prine, Julia Vilanova. Midland: Ariana Flores, Bailey Locano, Hannah Tillison. Nebraska Wesleyan: Megan Cooper, Hannah Rhodes. UNK: Cammie Davis, Raegan Downham, Dolcie Hanlon, Emma Middleton. Wayne State: Reagan Allen, Olivia Bollman, Chloe Schlines, Abby Sutton, Annika Syvrud. York: Jacky Cervanes-Cruz, Alexa Moreno.
* - honorary captain
Nick Smith hired to lead women's soccer program
March 9, 2022
SEWARD, Neb. – Most recently the assistant coach at NAIA member Lourdes University, Nick P. Smith has been tabbed the Head Women’s Soccer Coach at Concordia University, Nebraska. Smith becomes the eighth head coach in the history of the program. He takes over an outfit that has won four GPAC championships since 2014.
Smith will officially begin his duties on March 20. He envisions leading a program that continues to hold itself to high standards from a standpoint of Christian values while contending for championships on the field.
Said Nick Smith, “I am delighted to be named the Head Coach of the Women’s Soccer Program here at Concordia University, Nebraska. My family and I cannot wait to get to Seward and are looking forward to joining the Bulldog Community. From the fantastic facilities on campus to the sustained levels of success in this program over the years, I believe we have an opportunity to build on those past successes and become a highly competitive program – one capable of routinely challenging for conference and national honors.”
The athletic leadership team identified Nick Smith as a rising young coach in the collegiate soccer circles. Director of Athletics Devin Smith said, “We are pleased to welcome Coach Nick Smith to the Bulldog Family. Nick possesses extensive soccer knowledge and experience and his vision aligns with that of the women’s soccer program, Bulldog Athletics, and Concordia University, Nebraska. We are confident in his abilities to serve as a strong Christian mentor, to recruit and develop players on the field and in the classroom, and to foster meaningful relationships throughout the campus and community.”
Originally from Whitehouse, Ohio, Nick Smith possesses extensive experience at the college and club levels. Smith had served Lourdes University since the summer of 2019 as an assistant coach for both the men’s and women’s soccer programs. In his one season with the women’s program, Smith helped the Gray Wolves break a school record for wins in a season and claim a victory at the conference tournament for the first time ever. In his assistant role, Smith involved himself in all aspects of the program, including training sessions, tactical breakdowns, recruiting, academic mentoring and lineup selections. The men’s program also broke its school record for wins in a season with Smith’s aid.
While simultaneously coaching college soccer, Smith lent his expertise as Associate Head Coach of Toledo Villa FC (2019-2023) and Director of Coaching/Staff Coach at Pacesetter Soccer Club (2021-2023). He assisted in the Pacesetter Soccer Club winning its first national championship. His experience also includes time spent as Head Coach of the Royal Oak FC (2020-2021) and collegiate stops at NCAA Division II Chaminade University (2016-2018) as Assistant Men’s Soccer Coach and University of Bridgeport (2012-13) as a graduate assistant.
As a collegiate student-athlete, Smith played at both Chaminade and Bridgeport and was a team captain for both programs. He went on to play in the USL League Two for the Indiana Invaders.
Smith owns Coaching/Scouting Licenses from the English FA and USSF and previously lent his knowledge as a soccer color commentator for Buckeye Cable Sport Network. In his professional career, Smith has also used his law degree as a practicing attorney.
Smith is a 2011 graduate of the University of Bridgeport with a degree in International Political Economy and Diplomacy. He earned a Juris Doctor degree in 2016 from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law in 2016. Nick and his wife Marcy have two daughters, Ellis and Andi, and a German Shepard named Achilles.