2023 Women's Soccer Schedule/Results
13-4-3 Overall | 8-1-3 GPAC (2nd) | Season Stats | Roster
| Date | Opponent | Location | Result | Record |
| Aug. 23 | Kansas Wesleyan University | Salina, Kan. | W, 4-1 | 1-0 |
| Aug. 26 | Graceland University (Iowa) | Seward, Neb. | W, 2-1 | 2-0 |
| Aug. 30 | York University | Seward, Neb. | W, 1-0 | 3-0 |
| Sep. 2 | Tabor College (Kan.) | Seward, Neb. | L, 0-1 | 3-1 |
| Sep. 9 | Benedictine College (Kan.) | Seward, Neb. | L, 0-3 | 3-2 |
| Sept. 14 | Nebraska Wesleyan University | Lincoln, Neb. | W, 4-0 | 4-2 |
| Sep. 16 | *Mount Marty University | Seward, Neb. | W, 8-1 | 5-2, 1-0 |
| Sep. 20 | *Dordt University | Seward, Neb. | W, 4-0 | 6-2, 2-0 |
| Sep. 23 | *Northwestern College | Orange City, Iowa | W, 8-0 | 7-2, 3-0 |
| Sep. 27 | *Midland University | Seward, Neb. | T, 1-1 | 7-2-1, 3-0-1 |
| Sep. 30 | *Dakota Wesleyan University | Mitchell, S.D. | W, 6-1 | 8-2-1, 4-0-1 |
| Oct. 4 | *Morningside University | Seward, Neb. | L, 0-1 | 8-3-1, 4-1-1 |
| Oct. 7 | *University of Jamestown | Jamestown, N.D. | W, 1-0 | 9-3-1, 5-1-1 |
| Oct. 11 | *College of Saint Marty | Seward, Neb. | W, 2-0 | 10-3-1, 6-1-1 |
| Oct. 14 | *Hastings College | Hastings, Neb. | T, 2-2 | 10-3-2, 6-1-2 |
| Oct. 18 | *Briar Cliff University | Sioux City, Iowa | T, 0-0 | 10-3-3, 6-1-3 |
| Oct. 21 | *Waldorf University (Iowa) | Seward, Neb. | W, 2-1 | 11-3-3, 7-1-3 |
| Oct. 25 | *Doane University | Crete, Neb. | W, 4-0 | 12-3-3, 8-1-3 |
| GPAC Tournament | ||||
| Nov. 2 | Jamestown (Quarterfinals) | Seward, Neb. | W, 2-1 | 13-3-3 |
| Nov. 7 | Midland (Semifinals) | Seward, Neb. | L, 0-2 | 13-4-3 |
2023 Roster
| No. | Name | Pos. | Ht. | Year | Hometown | Previous School |
| 0 | Bradi Ore | GK | 5-6 | Sr. | Keller, Texas | Northwest HS / Allen CC |
| 00 | Zoe Lavigne | GK | 5-5 | So. | Anaheim, Calif. | Orange Lutheran HS |
| 1 | Angela Banks | GK | 5-4 | Jr. | Downey, Calif. | Saint Joseph HS |
| 3 | Hannah Haas | MF | 5-4 | Jr. | Colorado Springs, Colo. | Doherty HS |
| 4 | Kassidy Johnson | MF | 5-7 | Jr. | Lincoln, Neb. | Raymond Central HS |
| 5 | Camryn Higer | MF | 5-6 | Fr. | Savannah, Mo. | Savannah HS |
| 6 | Senna McMullen | D | 5-5 | Jr. | Olathe, Kan. | Olathe South HS |
| 7 | Niah Kirchner | MF | 5-2 | So. | Omaha, Neb. | Milard West HS |
| 8 | Savannah Andrews | F | 5-5 | So. | Gretna, Neb. | Gretna HS |
| 9 | Sierra Springer | F | 5-3 | So. | Valparaiso, Neb. | Raymond Central HS |
| 11 | Katelyn Smith | F | 5-0 | Jr. | Omaha, Neb. | Millard North HS |
| 12 | Olivia Pyle | MF | 4-10 | Fr. | Blaine, Minn. | Concordia Academy (Minn.) |
| 13 | Sadie Mares | D | 5-4 | Fr. | Scottsdale, Ariz. | Chaparral HS |
| 14 | Lilley Barber | D | 5-2 | Jr. | Overland Park, Kan. | Olathe East HS |
| 16 | Ashlee Trujillo | F | 5-4 | So. | Brighton, Colo. | Riverdale Ridge HS |
| 17 | Elena Ruiz | MF | 5-1 | So. | Omaha, Neb. | Omaha South HS |
| 19 | Molly Roberts | D | 5-4 | Jr. | Columbus, Neb. | Columbus HS |
| 20 | Shelby Rugg | D | 5-2 | So. | Clovis, Calif. | Clovis HS |
| 21 | Hannah Kile | D | 5-7 | So. | Lincoln, Neb. | Raymond Central HS |
| 23 | Grace Soenksen | D | 5-5 | Sr. | Lincoln, Neb. | Lincoln Lutheran HS |
| 24 | Olivia Kohl | D | 5-5 | Fr. | Springfield, Neb. | Platteview HS |
| 25 | Shi-Lynn Yon | D | 5-2 | So. | Melbourne, Fla. | Melbourne HS |
| 27 | Kierstynn Garner | F | 5-5 | So. | Kearney, Neb. | Kearney HS |
| 28 | Emily Howard | D | 5-1 | Jr. | Overland Park, Kan. | Olathe East HS |
| 29 | Taylor Slaymaker | D | 5-7 | Jr. | Kearney, Neb. | Kearney HS |
| 31 | Abby Vodicka | MF | 5-3 | Jr. | Unadilla, Neb. | Syracuse Dunbar Avoca HS |
| 32 | Augustine Abshagen | D | 5-10 | So. | Middleville, Mich. | Thornapple Kellogg HS |
| 41 | Grady Smith | GK | 5-4 | Fr. | Richmond, Va. | Monacan HS |
STAFF
Nick Smith, Head Coach (1st season)
Kim Nagel, Assistant Coach
Michael McIntyre, Goalkeeper Coach
Mellonee Hall, Assistant Coach
Nick Holmes, Assistant Coach
Dawgs put Coyotes on heels, strike early and often in season opener
Aug. 23, 2023
SALINA, Kan. – Amidst excessive heat warnings sweeping the plains, the Concordia University Women’s Soccer team opened the 2023 campaign in impressive fashion. The Bulldogs had the host Coyotes on their heels for much of the night in what amounted to a 4-1 victory for the visitors on Wednesday (Aug. 23). Concordia held the advantage for the remainder of the night once Savannah Andrews found the back of the net in the fourth minute.
This marked head coaching victory No. 1 for Nick Smith, who made his Bulldog debut. Coaches are always looking for improvement, but Smith could not have asked for a much better result while up against a foe picked second in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference preseason poll.
“Coming in, I still had some questions about depth,” Smith said. “We were complete tonight. When we made changes and brought players off the bench, the level really never dropped, which is really pleasing for me. If we can be a roster with 18, 19 or 20 deep, we can compete with most. In terms of the play, the parts that were really nice to see is we got the ball down and we controlled it. We were the team that was setting the pace and the tempo of the game. When we found areas we could exploit, we went for the attack.”
The class of super sophomores took on six of the starting roles in the opener as Concordia looked the part of a squad pegged for a top-five GPAC finish. All four goals were delivered by sophomores while the Gretna, Neb., native Andrews put away two – one apiece in the fourth and 61st minutes. Elena Ruiz added a goal in the 16th minute and 2022 leading goal scorer Kierstynn Garner put an exclamation mark on the evening with a scramble goal in the 63rd minute.
On the back line, fifth-year Bulldog Grace Soenksen is the anchor for an overall youthful roster. Soenksen appeared in the 73rd game of her career and helped limit Kansas Wesleyan to four shots on goal. Also along that back line, Taylor Slaymaker returned from the injury she suffered early last season and reclaimed a starting role. Concordia owned advantages in shots, 12-6, and corners, 6-2. The Coyotes cashed in a free kick in the 17th minute for their one goal. Graciela Lopez tapped in past a drawn-out keeper.
There may have been a couple miscues to learn from, but Concordia showed the offensive firepower it hoped to add to the program’s well-earned identity as a rugged defensive outfit. The second goal of the night stood out in the way the Bulldogs executed a corner. Hannah Haas lofted the ball into the box, where Soenksen sent a header to Ruiz, who tucked it inside the right post. As for Andrews, she recorded the first multi-goal game of her career while hinting at more fine moments to come. An assist was credited to freshman Sadie Mares on one of Andrews’ goals. On the other end of the field, Bradi Ore started and played all 90 minutes at keeper in picking up a win. She made a pair of saves.
Smith liked how his team responded after conceding KWU’s one goal. Said Smith, “A big part of that is having the mental strength to get through the tough moments. We’re up 2-0, but we concede a goal almost immediately, and our reaction was tremendous. Coming out of halftime, we scored twice in the opening 15 minutes and that set the tone for the rest of the game.”
Concordia has won seven consecutive games over nonconference opponents dating back to last season. The Bulldogs earned a victory over Kansas Wesleyan for the first time since 2004 when the matchup was contested in Seward.
Concordia will host its home opener on Saturday when Graceland University (Iowa) pays a visit to Bulldog Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 7:15 p.m. CT. The Bulldogs routed the Yellowjackets last season, 5-2, in a trip to Lamoni, Iowa. The two sides are 2-2 against each other all-time.
Nonconference win streak grows to eight in 2-1 win over Graceland
Aug. 26, 2023
SEWARD, Neb. – They may not have been as crisp as they were three days earlier in their season opener, but the Bulldogs are 2-0. The Concordia University Women’s Soccer team rose to the challenge when visiting Graceland University (Iowa) found the equalizer on Saturday (Aug. 26) evening. A strong response resulted in a 2-1 victory over a Yellowjacket squad that attempted to spoil the home opener. A goal apiece from dynamic sophomores Savannah Andrews and Kierstynn Garner prevented that from happening.
Head Coach Nick Smith’s squad put together an impressive opener at Kansas Wesleyan University on Wednesday. The first-year Bulldog leader may not necessarily call the latest outing a step forward, but Concordia will take the result and learn from it.
“The mark of a championship mentality is getting results when you’re maybe not executing at your top level,” Smith said. “I think that was definitely the case for us tonight. It was a good lesson for our girls. We found a tough opponent tonight in Graceland, who pushed us to the limit. The main moment in the game was after we conceded – less than a minute later we’re down the field and scoring our second goal and ultimately the winner. It’s certainly nice to start the home season off with a win.”
The Bulldogs may have walked away feeling a bit more content had they put one or two more of their 10 shots on goal into the back of the net. Graceland keeper Alexia Johnson made eight saves while keeping her side in it the whole way through. The visitors’ ability to dodge bullets made this contest a very different one than the matchup played last season when Concordia won by a 5-2 score in Lamoni, Iowa. This time around, the Bulldogs had to grit one out.
Things got real tense in the 69th minute when a great ball by Sofia Pietra Martins led Emily Carmen behind Concordia’s back line. Carmen was able to win the battle in a 1v1 with the keeper. The response was what most pleased Smith on this particular night. The Bulldogs cashed in on a set piece less than a minute later. The Kearney, Neb., native Garner tucked the ball just inside the right post (at the top of the 18) via the feed from Hannah Haas.
Andrews and Garner have already combined for five goals over the first two games. The goal for Andrews on Saturday was reminiscent of the one scored later by Garner. Andrews intercepted a ball from a Graceland defender and kept a strike inside the left post while standing on the edge of the 18-yard box. Garner and Andrews were joined in the starting 11 by fellow sophomores Hannah Kile, Niah Kirchner, Shelby Rugg and Elena Ruiz.
Said Andrews of the sophomore group, “I think we’re doing amazing. Since a lot of us started last year, I think we’re connecting very well and building on that connection. I think it’s going to keep going up from there.”
Added Smith, “Obviously the sophomore class is a class that’s pretty special. For Savannah and KG both to get goals in each of the first two games for us is huge. If we’re going to be successful this year, we’re going to need both of them to consistently produce. Each of them scored brilliant goals tonight, really good finishes.”
Concordia finished the 90 minutes with advantages of 14-6 in shots and 6-0 in corners. In goal, junior Angela Banks got the start for the Bulldogs and came up with four saves. The ever reliable Grace Soenksen helped get her side out of trouble on numerous occasions when Graceland did manage to mount a threat. Other starters not previously mentioned were Senna McMullen and Taylor Slaymaker. A total of 16 Concordia players saw action.
The next three outings will also be staged inside Bulldog Stadium as Concordia shifts its focus to Wednesday’s clash with in-state York University. Though separated by roughly 30 minutes, the two sides have not played since the Bulldogs won the 2017 meeting by a 5-1 count. Game time on Wednesday is set for 8 p.m. CT.
Season's first shutout victory claimed in renewal of rivalry with York
Aug. 30, 2023
SEWARD, Neb. – The first Concordia-York women’s soccer matchup since 2017 became a physical grinder inside Bulldog Stadium. Ultimately, it came down to a goal from GPAC Offensive Player of the Week Savannah Andrews in the 60th minute on Wednesday (Aug. 30) night. Concordia University Women’s Soccer rode that strike out for a 1-0 victory and its first shutout of the 2023 season.
Head Coach Nick Smith’s squad has run its record to 3-0 while extending the program’s nonconference winning streak to nine. Previous victories this August have come over Kansas Wesleyan University and Graceland University (Iowa).
“This was a good, gritty performance by our team,” Smith said. “We were pushed pretty hard tonight by a very organized, defensive-minded York team. It made it difficult for us to create too many opportunities, but we continued to work on the ball and focus on the things we want to have as part of our game, which is finding the short passes. Luckily for us, Savannah found her fourth goal in three games. She’s off to a great start for us.”
The ball mostly lived on the Bulldog attacking half on an evening when the opportunities for York University were limited. That was simply part of the game plan for the scrappy Panthers, who made it known they were not going to get pushed around. Neither team had registered a single shot by the midway point of the first half. That made it a midfielder’s delight, spotlighting the likes of Niah Kirchner, Elena Ruiz and even Grace Soenksen, who has moved up from the back line in certain situations.
At long last, the jitterbug quickness of Kierstynn Garner resulted in the game’s lone goal. Garner outhustled a York player up the field and delivered a cross to Andrews, who poked a left-footed one-timer inside the right post. It won’t be the last time that combination burns the opposition.
There was nothing easy about a victory that moved Concordia’s record to 26-0 all-time against the neighbors 30 minutes to the west. The Bulldogs were able to more effectively match York’s work rate over the final 45 minutes compared to the first 45.
“Sometimes it’s just fun to get aggressive and get the ball back on the ground,” Kirchner said. “I think we’re a lot more confident this year. We’re more settled on the ball and finding each other’s feet. We’re connecting a lot better.”
Concordia finished with a 9-4 advantage in shots. Seven of the Bulldog shots came via the dynamic combination of Andrews and Garner. In goal, Bradi Ore made her second start, collected two saves and earned credit for a shutout. A total of 15 Concordia players saw action. Among the reserves, returners Emily Howard, Sierra Springer and Ashlee Trujillo continue to get more confident in larger roles.
The encouraging part right now for the Bulldogs is that they are winning games while still not having yet reached their full potential. In the eyes of Smith, this was a step forward from the performance from four days earlier in the 2-1 win over Graceland.
Said Smith of what improved, “Definitely our composure and patience in possession. York was happy to concede possession at times to us tonight, but we took that possession really well. We were able to move the ball from side to side. It’s now about figuring out what that looks like for us to go forward on the final passes and beat our opponents vertically. We were close to connecting quite a few tonight.”
The homestand will continue on Saturday when the Bulldogs will welcome Tabor College (Kan.) to Seward for another 8 p.m. CT kickoff. Concordia emerged from Hillsboro, Kan., with a 1-0 victory over the Bluejays in the 2022 matchup between the two sides. Tabor finished the 2022 season at 7-8-4 overall and is 0-2 to begin 2023.
Season's first blemish handed out by Tabor
Sep. 2, 2023
SEWARD, Neb. – The Concordia University Women’s Soccer team looked to remain unbeaten while visiting Tabor College (Kan.) sought its first victory of the 2023 season. The results were a bit deceiving in the case of the Bluejays, who previously fell at the hands of two quality opponents. Tabor used a 16th-minute goal from Sydney Takash while shutting out the Bulldogs, 1-0, on a muggy Saturday (Sept. 2) evening in Seward. Concordia lost despite owning a majority of possession.
Head Coach Nick Smith’s squad slipped to 3-1 overall as the program’s nine-game winning streak against nonconference opponents came to an end.
“We expected that Tabor was going to give us a tough test,” Smith said. “We actually performed really well. We out-statted them. We had the front end production – it was really just the final ball. There were numerous times tonight where we put ourselves in really good positions to score goals. You have to give credit to Tabor. They defended really well tonight as a team. It’s just one of those nights.”
The Bluejays (1-2) were content to defend all night after gaining an early advantage. Concordia dominated the stat sheet with edges in shots, 15-4, and in corners, 10-4. The visitors dodged some bullets and got six saves from keeper Hayley Bench. This time around, dynamic sophomores Savannah Andrews and Kierstynn Garner were kept in check. Garner delivered a nice strike in the 34th minute that was thwarted by the diving Bench. At the 73-minute mark, Andrews had a good look in the box that was also denied by the keeper.
Andrews and Garner combined to fire off nine shots with two apiece on goal. Somehow, Tabor kept unscathed while fending off corner after corner. The final seven corner kicks of the game (each in the second half) all occurred on the Bulldog attacking end. One last shot from Niah Kirchner in the 87th minute sailed wide of the goal. As 90 minutes passed, Tabor effectively avenged its 1-0 home defeat versus Concordia a year ago.
Making her second start of the season, keeper Angela Banks collected three saves for the Bulldogs. Three-time First Team All-GPAC honoree Grace Soenksen moved into the midfield at various times as Smith attempted to get her more involved in the action on a night with only a handful of dangerous attacking chances for the Bluejays. Not a single goal came during the run of play as Tabor capitalized on a corner for the deciding score.
Said Smith, “We’re looking forward to having the middle of next week off. We did a lot of good things tonight. We played in two different shapes, and I thought both shapes were very effective. Defensively, we really limited Tabor to a few meaningful chances throughout the game. One of the things I preach with the team is set pieces on both sides. They had one corner kick in the first half, their one shot in the half, and it results in a ball going into the back of the net. That’s the game sometimes, but there was a lot of good stuff.”
Concordia went 6-0 in nonconference games last season before starting this season at 3-0. The Bulldogs were shut out for the first time since a 3-0 loss to Briar Cliff on Oct. 19, 2022.
The Bulldogs will enjoy a mid-week bye before hosting Benedictine College (Kan.) at 3 p.m. CT next Saturday (Sept. 9). Concordia went on the road last season and upset the then 25th-ranked Ravens, 1-0, in Atchison, Kan. In a strong conference, Benedictine was picked fourth in the Heart of America Athletic Conference by league coaches.
Penalty kicks help Ravens claim victory over Bulldogs
Sep. 9, 2023
SEWARD, Neb. – Concordia had a week off to prepare before the high shooting Benedictine College (Kan.) came to town on Saturday afternoon (Sept. 9). The Ravens were gifted two penalty kicks in the second half and took advantage, putting distance between them and the Bulldogs for a 3-0 win in favor of the visitors. The home team couldn't keep possession as Benedictine controlled the ball for the majority of the first half. Play evened out in the second giving them confidence moving forward.
Concordia dropped to 3-2 on the season against a talented Raven squad that averaged almost 19 shots a game coming into the matchup. Head coach Nick Smith spoke on the tale of two halves in the contest against Benedictine.
“When we met at halftime, we were happy with our effort but wanted to tweak a couple of things on the field. We made those tweaks really well. We made the second half an even game and two penalties made the win more flattering than what it should have been, but I was pleased with the performance in the second half.
With limited minutes for sophomore Kierstynn Garner, the Bulldogs were off to a rough start in the first half, getting outshot 6-1 in the first 25 minutes and 12-1 through 45. Many chances for the Ravens ended up sailing high off the feet of their potent offense. Benedictine’s leading goal-scorer finally gets through the stout Concordia defense giving them the 1-0 lead in the 27th minute. The two teams would remain scoreless for the rest of the first 45 minutes.
The even-keeled Bulldogs came out of the locker room with a plan to slow down the Ravens attack and tried to find the equalizer, down only one score.
A penalty by CUNE on a Benedictine attacker gave Emily Shepherd a penalty kick in the 53rd-minute. She was able to get it past goalkeeper Bradi Ore for her first goal of the season.
After 23 minutes passed, the Ravens were given another penalty kick in what seemed to be a questionable penalty call on Grace Soenksen. Nevertheless, Shepherd scored her second goal putting the game out of reach for Concordia.
The second half ended with only a two shot (4-2) and one corner (3-2) advantage for the visitors. Ore had four saves on the day. Playing as a unit, the Bulldogs head coach Smith was asked about what you can take from a game like this for the future.
“The big thing we haven’t had this year is the mental tests that test our resolve. Today, I liked our responses to the penalties, but we had a group that never quit. We played through the full 90 minutes and for that, we can be proud.”
Concordia (3-2) will travel for their final nonconference match, stepping on the field against Nebraska Wesleyan University (1-4) on Thursday (Sept. 14). The contest is set to start at 7 p.m. CT at Abel Stadium. The Prairie Wolves lead the series with a 4-3-2 record over the Bulldogs since 2006.
Dawgs bite down on Prairie Wolves in 4-0 win
Sep. 14, 2023
LINCOLN, Neb. – After being shut out the past two games, the Bulldogs were on a warpath in Lincoln, Neb. for a victory against Nebraska Wesleyan University on Thursday night (Sept. 14). Over 24 minutes into the first half, the floodgates opened up for the Concordia offense scoring three goals in the next 20 minutes leading to a 4-0 win. The visitors dominated the ball on both sides with a 15-1 shot advantage (13 on goal) in favor of the Bulldogs.
Concordia got back in the win column, moving up to a 4-2 overall record in their 2023 nonconference slate. Head coach Nick Smith spoke on the offensive attack and adding new goal scorers to the mix.
“We finally found our shooting boots. We came into tonight having a plan to be more ruthless on the front end. The focus has been on purposeful finishing all week. We want to make the keeper make the save. We added two new goal scorers. Hannah Haas had her first goal of the season and Sierra Springer had her first collegiate goal. She (Springer) has been tending upward for us and has earned her first official points.”
Frustrating long vertical passes defined the 0-0 deadlock through the first 24 minutes of play by the Bulldogs.
Kierstynn Garner, having been limited in minutes as of late, showed the type of offensive juggernaut she could be for Concordia. Poking the ball to the right of the defender, she darted left and erased the defender in her wake, scoring the first goal (unassisted) for the Dawgs.
In the 35th minute Springer, looking to get in on the action, took the ball from a back line defender in the box with eyes for a second goal. She passed the ball to an attacking Kassidy Johnson but it was tapped away by the keeper to a pressing Haas who knocked down the first goal of her junior season.
Up 2-0 with less than a minute in the half, Lily Barber stole the ball and hit a perfect tear drop pass to Sierra Springer, striking the ball past the keeper for her first collegiate goal.
With a 3-0 lead coming out of the break, the offense gained confidence from their 9-1 shot advantage over the Prairie Wolves through 45 minutes of play. The Bulldog defense clamped down on the Nebraska Wesleyan offense as only one shot was had by the home team throughout the match.
Garner would score the fourth goal for her first multi-goal game of the season. Springer also added two assists gaining four points in one game. Goalkeeper Angela Banks had one save, and was relieved by goalie Zoe Lavigne for the second half against NWU.
Head coach Smith was happy to get multiple players (21) on the field with some being their first collegiate action on Thursday.
Concordia (3-2) enters conference play, hosting Mount Marty (1-3) on Saturday afternoon (Sept. 16). First kick is set for 3:30 p.m. CT in Bulldog Stadium. The Bulldogs are undefeated (21-0) against the Lancers all-time.
Bulldogs move to 22-0 versus the Lancers all-time
Sep. 16, 2023
SEWARD, Neb. – In the previous 21 meetings, the Concordia women’s soccer team had never lost to Mount Marty. Saturday (Sept. 16) was no different. The Bulldogs ran through the Lancer defense like it was dust, scoring five unanswered in 16 minutes in the sunshine of Bulldog Stadium. This series couldn’t be more one sided and the 8-1 victory over Mount Marty reflected its history.
Concordia moves to 5-2 overall and 1-0 in the GPAC as the new ‘shooting boots’ fit nicely after two wins this week. Head coach Nick Smith commented on how the team responded in their matchup versus the Lancers in the GPAC opener.
“This was a continuation of what we saw on Thursday. We are starting to find confidence in front of the net and we have multiple players who are putting chances away. To have five goals in the first 16 minutes, it really set the tone for today.”
A flurry of goals came from the start of the whistle as Kierstynn Garner picked up where she left off scoring by feed of Sierra Springer only four minutes in. Niah Kirchner, the always steady midfieldfielder, scored her first goal of the season adding the fourth of her career.
Savannah Andrews, who started her first week of the season with three goals and a GPAC Offensive Player of the Week award, had not scored in two games. Enter her downpour of goals, which started in the 12th minute and continued for a hat trick by minute 16. Andrews added her fourth goal in the 66th minute for good measure, and her collective eight goals this season have planted her at the top of the GPAC in goals scored.
Andrews commented, “It was nice to put a lot of goals away after struggling to make goals last week as a team. We found our shooting boots again as Nick (head coach) said. It was a good start to the GPAC season.”
Sierra Springer received a feed via Kassidy Johnson in the 57th minute to score first after the conceded goal by the Dawgs. Springer was also involved in two other goals with two assists which put her tied for first in assist (4) in the GPAC. Springer garnered her first start against Mount Marty and has already shown how much she can help the team.
The Bulldogs held advantages over the Lancers in shots, 22-3 and corner kicks, 9-0. Garner added another goal late for her sixth goal of the season as Kate Smith added her first point with an assist. Many players got to see action to help Concordia to an 8-1 win. Grady Smith got her first action in goal in the second half.
Concordia (5-2, 1-0 GPAC) will host another level of GPAC opponent in Dordt (3-2-1, 1-0-1 GPAC) on Wednesday (Sept. 20). The Bulldogs will be under the lights at 8 p.m. CT as the first whistle blows in Bulldog Stadium. CUNE has not lost to the Defenders since 2010 and leads the series 9-7-4 all-time.
Bulldogs find that 'final touch' in home rout of Dordt
Sep. 21, 2023
SEWARD, Neb. – All facets of the game are starting to come together for Concordia University Women’s Soccer. In the attacking third, Savannah Andrews and Kierstynn Garner have continued their mockery of opposing backlines. The sophomore duo got loose again on Wednesday (Sept. 20) and helped lead the Bulldogs to a rout of Dordt, 4-0, inside Bulldog Stadium. Defender Hannah Kile even got into the goal scoring ledger as part of the fun.
Head Coach Nick Smith’s squad bumped its overall record to 6-2 (2-0 GPAC) thanks to a third straight comfortable win. This matchup with the Defenders (3-3-1, 1-1-1 GPAC) looked nothing like the 1-1 draw from a year ago.
“I think the last couple of games we’ve sort of found our voice up front,” Smith said. “We have players who are dangerous in many different ways. It helps that you score a goal in the first six minutes and really set the tone. Then Sav hits an absolute screamer of a goal 30 minutes in and it’s 2-0 at halftime. It’s nice to have a set-piece goal on our third one – another new goal scorer on the year and another sophomore, Hannah Kile. Then KG finishes it off for us at the end. It was a really well-rounded performance. This was probably the most complete game we’ve had on the season.”
Andrews and Garner get the glory for their offensive exploits – and they’ve earned it. By night’s end, Andrews pushed her GPAC leading goal count to nine with Garner right on her heels with eight. The Kearney, Neb., native Garner put her athleticism on display in going out on a lengthy run that ended with her beating the keeper 1v1 for the game’s first score. She bookended that goal with another one after rebounding her own shot in the 85th minute. Andrews found the back of the net in the 29th minute and Kile got her goal in the 65th minute.
To the delight of Smith, Concordia never stopped attacking. The Bulldogs held the lion’s share of possession and owned the shot category, 22-3. Dordt keeper Jenna Wright made 10 saves in an attempt to keep her side in the contest. She was peppered frequently by the likes of Andrews, Garner and Sierra Springer. That trio combined for 15 shots (10 on goal).
There was credit to go around, not only for the goal scorers. The back line has stabilized with the help of Kile and Taylor Slaymaker. In the middle of the park, Niah Kirchner and Grace Soenksen have shined throughout the first half of the season. Kirchner is another of the sophomores who have taken flight. In goal, Bradi Ore picked up the shutout on Wednesday. She made the one save she was called upon to make.
Confidence is high for a squad that has outscored its foes by a combined total of 16-1 over the past three outings. Said Smith, “A lot of it is the confidence within the group, believing in each other and also believing in the style we’re trying to play. When we want to, we can get the ball down and we can connect passes against anyone who’s going to step out on the field with us. Early in the season, we were creating the opportunities, we just didn’t have the final touch. We’re starting to find that.”
While in the middle of a postgame interview, Garner was doused with water by teammate Hannah Haas. During that same interview, Garner’s teammates could be heard affectionately referring to her as “barbie,” but it’s all in good fun. Garner is soaking it all in.
Said Garner of the goal scoring between her and Andrews, “There is no rivalry. We just work hard in practice and we push each other. When one scores, we’re excited for them. When another teammate scores, we’re excited for them too.”
The first GPAC road test of the 2023 season will arrive on Saturday when the Bulldogs will be headed to Orange City, Iowa. Kickoff with the Red Raiders (3-5, 1-2 GPAC) is slated for 3:15 p.m. CT. Concordia Northwestern played to a 0-0 draw in Seward last season (after the two sides had tied, 2-2, in 2021).
Bulldogs trounce Red Raiders to claim third straight GPAC win
Sep. 23, 2023
ORANGE CITY, Iowa. – Playing after the men’s game, left a field that was wet and torn through before Concordia women's soccer matched up against Northwestern. The conditions didn’t slow down the Bulldog offense, scoring eight unanswered goals in a route (8-0) over the Red Raiders on their home pitch. Elena Ruiz got CUNE started and kept going as she had a hat trick by the 48th minute, showing her offensive prowess along with many others.
The Dawgs are 7-2 overall and 3-0 in the GPAC midway through the season. Head coach Nick Smith spoke on his players' showing tonight.
“We have a lot of players that are becoming more and more comfortable in front of the net. We have been working with Elena to pick her spots and it felt like she really capitalized on what she had been practicing. We felt like her only missing piece was goal scoring until tonight. We had a great save from both goalkeepers and Kate Smith added her first collegiate goal and another assist tonight.”
It had been since the season opener that Elena Ruiz had scored a goal. Eight matches later she found three scores in one night. Ruiz stole the ball from a Northwestern defender inside the Red Raider penalty area, slid the ball to her right foot and smashed a ball into the far bottom corner in the 14th minute. Less than one minute later, Savannah Andrews dropped a ball right at the feet of Ruiz and she finished once again for the score. She would have her third goal in the opening minutes of the second half.
Sadie Mares, the Arizona product, has garnered playing time early in her freshman campaign in the defensive third. Waiting for the free kick from Andrews, the defender headed the ball far out of the box at the feet of Mares. Sadie made the strike and bent the ball just inside the top right post for the third score of the half.
With the Red Raiders hanging on by a thread, the Bulldogs’ Kierstynn Garner (1) and Sierra Springer (2) scored three goals to put the game out of reach in the second half.
in the final minute, Kassidy Johnson kicked a smooth pass through for a wide open Kate Smith. Kate ran the ball down and crushed the ball on a line, straight past the keeper for her first collegiate score.
CUNE outshot their opponents 21-11 and owned a 9-1 corner advantage through 90 minutes. The Bulldogs had 14 shots on goal in the match.
Concordia (7-2, 3-0 GPAC) will come back and face their toughest test to date against Midland (6-2-1, 3-0 GPAC) in Seward, Nebraska. First kick is set at 8 p.m. CT, under the lights of Bulldog Stadium. The series was tied at 13-13-3 before the Warriors won (3-1) in Fremont, Nebraska in 2022.
Confidence grows in draw between hopeful GPAC title contenders
Sep. 27, 2023
SEWARD, Neb. – A pair of teams with identical 3-0 conference records met Wednesday (Sept. 27) in a renewal of the women’s soccer rivalry between Concordia and Midland. After the Bulldogs played the role of aggressor in the first half, the circumstances flipped early in the second half. Concordia wound up settling for a 1-1 draw while missing out on a potential statement win. Decorated center back Grace Soenksen notched the lone Bulldog goal.
Head Coach Nick Smith’s squad faced its stiffest challenge so far within conference play while on the heels of a four-game win streak. Concordia currently sits tied atop the GPAC standings at 3-0-1 in league play (7-2-1 overall).
“It was a really competitive contest,” Smith said. “We started really well. We got the ball down on the ground and we were connecting passes and were really able to break them down. We created some good opportunities and ended up getting a goal from Grace. We were feeling really good at halftime. In the second half we saw that Midland turned up its intensity a little bit in terms of the press. For 15-20 minutes in the second half, we struggled to adjust to it. Once we settled ourselves and reestablished our flow, it was even and could have gone either way.”
Both sides had come off goal scoring outbursts as the Bulldogs pummeled Northwestern, 8-0, four days earlier and Midland had trounced Dordt, 6-2, over the weekend. They met their match on Wednesday in what became more of a grind-it-out type of clash. Concordia held a commanding 8-1 advantage in shots over the first 45 minutes. However, the Warriors got the equalizer in the 48th minute when Rosa Schellmann expertly crossed the ball into Ashley Atkinson for what proved to be the game’s final goal.
Suddenly, Midland (6-2-2, 3-0-1) had the Bulldogs back on their heels. Concordia managed to dodge a couple of bullets, such as the strike by Hannah Schimmer that hit the left post at the 62-minute mark. The Warriors also had a free kick opportunity from just outside the box at the 69-minute mark. Keeper Bradi Ore (two saves) and the Bulldogs hung tough in the face of an opponent that is receiving votes nationally.
The Soenksen goal came in the 39th minute when she hit a one-timer off the corner from Savannah Andrews. Soenksen’s rocket left the Midland keeper no chance and resulted in the sixth career goal for the Lincoln Lutheran alum. Soenksen played like a first team all-conference player once again. Part of her duty was simply to make life difficult on the star striker Schimmer, whose quickness can rival that of Kierstynn Garner. Soenksen and the back line of Hannah Kile, Taylor Slaymaker and Shelby Rugg enjoyed a solid night.
Each of the leading goal scorers were held off the board, including Garner and Schimmer, as well as Andrews (the GPAC’s top three goal scorers entering the night). In the case of Concordia, it lacked the finishing touch as only two of its 10 shots were placed on frame. The Bulldogs also had plenty of other set piece chances and led the corner kick count, 9-1.
Overall, Smith was encouraged by what he saw. He has a team that is starting to believe it can be right in the mix at the top of the GPAC. Said Smith, “The biggest challenge for us is putting together a full 90. If we play a full 90 tonight, I’m really confident we get the result. We can take solace in knowing this is a team that is receiving national attention, and we hung right there tonight. In terms of moving forward, I think we have to be really confident with where we stand right now.”
For a second Saturday in a row, the Bulldogs will be headed north for another GPAC road battle. Concordia is slated to tangle with Dakota Wesleyan (2-6, 1-3 GPAC) at 5:30 p.m. CT on Saturday from Mitchell, S.D. The Bulldogs toppled the Tigers in dominant fashion in 2022, 5-0, in Seward.
Bulldogs blow past Tigers to road triumph; Stay lone unbeaten in GPAC
Sep. 30, 2023
MITCHELL, S.D. – Concordia scored six unanswered, thumping Dakota Wesleyan on Saturday (Sept. 30), toward their 6-1 win at Pepsi-Cola Soccer Complex. GPAC leading scorers, Savannah Andrews and Kierstynn Garner charged the Bulldog offense with goals early and often toward their route over the Tigers. Grace Soenksen, Taylor Slaymaker, and Hannah Kile, among others, kept the back line steady through double digit shots from afar, as Dakota Wesleyan tried to catch up with the visitors.
CUNE is now the only team left unbeaten in the GPAC (4-0-1) and 8-2-1 overall. Head coach Nick Smith commented on the matchup and how much his players are growing in the box.
“We were able to limit many of their chances from deep. We have tried to get bodies in the box, which allows for more and more goal scorers so that they can’t key on just one person. Now, more of our girls are taking shots and making their chances in front of the net. KG (Garner) and Savannah both know where the goal is right now. They can score in many ways and are dangerous from multiple spots.”
Seemingly racing each other to find goals in the past few weeks, Garner and Andrews came out hot by no surprise to anyone who watches the league closely. In the 5th minute, Andrews struck first in the top right corner via the feed of her teammate Garner. KG answered the bell, outrunning a defender, she only had the keeper to beat. She kicked it left, just out of reach of the diving keeper, as Garner leaped over the different-colored jersey to tap in the empty goal strike.
In the 20th minute, the Tiger keeper came outside of the penalty area and made a mistake, giving the ball to Garner for a long rolling score. Andrews came back four minutes later, kicking in a score (11th season) off a previously blocked shot by the keeper, making the match (4-0) undesirable for the Dakota Wesleyan fan base. Kierstynn would later kick in a hat trick goal (first this year) in the 57th minute for her 12th goal of 2023.
Kassidy Johnson netted her first goal of the season off an assist from Hannah Haas. Johnson has three goals in her career and has given the team quality minutes throughout the season. Bradi Ore and Angela Banks split time but had a save apiece between the two.
The shot advantage was barely in favor of the Bulldogs(14-13) but the final proved the difference in quality shots. The Tigers gained an edge on corner kicks (4-1).
Concordia (8-2-1, 4-0-1 GPAC) hosts Morningside (5-2-3, 2-1-2 GPAC) on Wednesday (Oct. 4) at Bulldog Stadium. First kick is set for 8 p.m. CT under the lights. The Dawgs fell to the Mustangs (2-1) in Sioux City last year.
Attack muzzled by Mustangs in first GPAC defeat
Oct. 4, 2023
SEWARD, Neb. – For the first time in nearly a month, the Concordia University Women’s Soccer team has tasted defeat. The Bulldogs missed a prime chance to take a first half lead and never could crack the visitors from Sioux City, Iowa, while enduring a 1-0 loss to Morningside on Wednesday (Oct. 4). The Mustangs got a 25th-minute goal from Keyera Harmon and outplayed Concordia on a pleasant fall evening with virtually no wind inside Bulldog Stadium.
Head Coach Nick Smith’s youthful squad is still learning how to find results in competitive contests against other contenders at the top of the GPAC. The Bulldogs slipped to 8-3-1 overall (4-1-1 GPAC) with their first conference defeat of 2023.
“I think we had a slow start,” Smith said. “Morningside came out and they were the team that was exceeding us in work rate and energy. They made a couple of adjustments. They largely shifted to a strong side formation with three lines of two to match what our middle was doing. We failed to make the adjustment in the first half. What we’re going to see from teams now is that if they score, they’re going to sit in a little bit. Once Morningside got its goal, they became pretty defensive, which makes it tough to break a team down.”
Concordia entered the night averaging a GPAC high of nearly 3.5 goals per game. However, attacking opportunities were few and far between on Wednesday. The Bulldogs managed only four shots (three on goal) for the entire 90 minutes. Not even nine minutes into action, Sierra Springer found herself 1v1 with the keeper. The Mustangs’ Kyla Syverson was up to the task in making the denial. Springer recorded Concordia’s only two shots of the first half.
Morningside (6-2-3, 3-1-2 GPAC) got the only goal it needed in the 25th minute. Harmon played a touch past a Concordia defender and then capitalized on an uncontested shot in the box, marking her seventh goal of 2023. Harmon and her teammates held a 14-4 advantage in shots, though corners were even at 5-5. The Mustangs have beaten Concordia by a single goal in back-to-back years.
Senior goalkeeper Bradi Ore rose to the occasion to keep the Bulldogs within a goal for the final 65 minutes. Ore collected four saves, including a couple that required her to sacrifice her body with strikers firing from just feet in front of her. Ore also punched a corner out of the box and away from trouble. The Mustangs had a shot to go up 2-0 in the 28th minute when Tuva Hammarlund peppered the crossbar.
In crunch time, Smith turned the likes of Niah Kirchner and Grace Soenksen loose in an attempt to find the equalizer. Kirchner nearly knotted it at the 69-minute mark but was thwarted by a Morningside defender on a shot from less than 10 feet out. The Mustangs effectively kept the prolific sophomore duo of Savannah Andrews and Kierstynn Garner (23 combined goals this season) at bay. Garner was held to a single shot while Andrews left the game in the 52nd minute due to an injury.
There remains plenty of upside for a Concordia squad built around its sophomores and a few key veterans. Said Smith, “We changed shape in the second half to try and exploit the wide areas, and it was better at times. A little bit tonight, we showed that we are a younger team in not staying true to what was working, even though it wasn’t resulting in goals. There were moments where we were adopting their style, which was very direct. That was difficult for us.”
The longest road trip of the season awaits this weekend. The Bulldogs will make the trek to Jamestown, N.D., to take on the Jimmies (3-4-3, 3-1-2 GPAC) at 7 p.m. CT on Saturday. Jamestown is the reigning GPAC regular season champion and has won each of the past two meetings with Concordia by 1-0 scores.
Garner goal, shutout push Bulldogs to victory over defending GPAC champs
Oct. 7, 2023
JAMESTOWN, N.D. – It will be a happy trip back home on Sunday for Concordia University Women’s Soccer. In a battle between teams vying for the top of the conference standings, the Bulldogs rode an eighth-minute goal from Kierstynn Garner to a 1-0 victory at defending GPAC champion Jamestown on Saturday (Oct. 7) evening. Concordia celebrated its first ever win in Jamestown, N.D., having gone 0-2-1 way up north since the Jimmies joined the GPAC starting in 2018.
Head Coach Nick Smith’s squad effectively bounced back from what remains its only conference defeat, 1-0, to Morningside this past Wednesday. The Bulldogs have ascended to first place in the GPAC standings with a 5-1-1 league mark (9-3-1 overall).
“Largely, we played really well tonight,” Smith said. “It was one of our best performances of the season. I thought we controlled the ball a lot better than what we saw in the middle of the week. We were able to consistently move it from sideline to sideline and that was causing them some issues. For 90 minutes, we outworked them. Our work rate was immense. I challenged our group to win the physical battle tonight because Jamestown is a physical team. I’m ecstatic with the girls’ response.”
Smith sprinkled credit up and down the roster for the effort on a chilly (but not yet bone chilling) fall evening. Concordia held the lead virtually the entire way thanks to Garner’s GPAC leading 13th goal of 2023. Garner took advantage of the Jimmies’ high line and was played through on a perfectly executed pass by Sierra Springer. The Bulldogs wound up putting six shots on frame (eight total shots) in what became a defensive battle.
Concordia fended off 14 total shots (nine on goal) by Jamestown as goalkeeper Bradi Ore picked up her third shutout this season. She was credited with nine saves. She had help from the likes of Taylor Slaymaker, who put together her “best performance of the season by far,” according to Smith. Also on the back line, fifth-year Bulldog Grace Soenksen appeared in her 85th career game, moving her to No. 2 on the program’s all-time games played list. She moved past her older sister Esther on Saturday.
Smith put 14 players to use while relying heavily on the starting 11. That group helped pick up the slack as Savannah Andrews (11 goals) missed the game with an injury she suffered on Wednesday night. Smith also lauded the freshman Sadie Mares, who celebrated her birthday on game day.
Said Smith in discussing Mares and Springer, “Sierra came up huge for us tonight. She had a really complete performance for us. Another young player who stepped up was Sadie Mares. She played the full 90 minutes in a center defensive midfield role and she was just outstanding. She was really good winning the ball. To a player tonight, we were really good. This was a really good win.”
Jamestown went unbeaten (11-0-1) in league play in 2022. The Jimmies (3-5-3, 3-2-2 GPAC) received votes in the latest NAIA coaches’ poll. In Saturday’s clash, Miarosa Gyllenswan was the team’s most active attacker with three shots (two on goal). Jamestown has had some difficulty finding the back of the net this season with 13 goals scored in 11 games.
One of the two remaining home games in the regular season will take place on Wednesday when College of Saint Mary (6-2-4, 4-1-2 GPAC) is scheduled to visit Bulldog Stadium for a 7 p.m. CT kickoff. Concordia has beaten the Flames by identical 1-0 scores in each of the past three series meetings. CSM dipped outside of league play on Saturday and dropped a 1-0 decision at Harris-Stowe State University (Mo.).
Dawgs smite Flames; Stay atop the GPAC
Oct. 11, 2023
SEWARD, Neb. – With storms coming in, Concordia and College of Saint Mary (CSM) gathered on the pitch one hour earlier than planned on Wednesday night (Oct. 11). The Bulldogs came out swinging with an early goal by Sierra Springer and finished with a late score by Ashlee Trujillo, putting the game out of reach in the 2-0 victory. The home team outshot the visitors 12-2 (6-0 shots on goal), with the back line controlling the defensive third and claiming the shutout.
CUNE improved to 10-3-1 on the year and 6-1-1 to stay tied atop the GPAC late in their 2023 campaign. Hastings and Concordia share the top of the standings and have started to separate themselves from the pack with 19 points apiece. With only a handful of games left in the season, the winner of the bout this Saturday will have the lead in the final leg of the race for the GPAC regular season championship.
Head coach Nick Smith spoke on the top tier matchup between CSM and the Bulldogs. “It was a tough game for us tonight. We knew they were third in the conference table (standings). We knew it was going to be a challenge, but largely we played well tonight. Defensively, we were lights out. That starts with Grace (Soenksen) who helps secure the back line, but it’s not just her. Shelby Rugg, Hannah Kile, and Taylor Slaymaker the last couple of games have been absolutely outstanding. We are making it tough for teams to establish a rhythm and doing a good job of limiting their options.”
In the first 45 minutes, the Dawgs came out kicking, dangerously hitting the posts multiple times, on the way to a 7-1 (4-0 on goal) shot advantage. In the 17th minute, Sierra Springer intercepted a ball passed back from a Flame. Dribbling between two defenders, Springer finished a score just past the outstretched hand of the CSM goalkeeper to put Concordia up early.
With less than 10 minutes to go in the second half, the home team needed another goal to extinguish the Flames chances of finding an equalizer. Getting the nod from coach Smith, forward Ashlee Trujillo came on the field with fresh legs looking for her first collegiate goal. With Kierstynn Garner making a couple of shifty moves, she kicks a cross over to Trujillo, as the Brighton, Colorado product buried the score past the keeper, sealing the win in the final minutes. Garner tallied her fourth assist of the season with the nifty pass.
Trujillo commented on scoring her first goal as a Bulldog. “It’s a great feeling to get a goal like that. I couldn’t have done it without my teammates. All the balls they have played through, and this time, I was able to get it in the back of the net.”
Goalkeeper Bradi Ore was able to get the shutout without having a save. The clean slate brings her total to four on the season, as she still sits at 29 saves. With this start, Grace Soenksen tied her sister (Esther Soenksen) with the second most starts (83) by a Bulldog on her birthday.
Garner and Ore bolster comeback tie versus No. 22 Hastings
Oct. 14, 2023
HASTINGS, Neb. – Down 2-0 early, Concordia used their limited chances to roar back into the match at Hastings on Saturday night (Oct. 14). Kierstynn Garner (KG) scored two consecutive goals to knot the two teams (2-2), unable to get the third late to take the win on the road. With this match, the Bulldogs remain tied in the conference for first place with 20 points apiece. Both teams have three GPAC opponents remaining before the regular season conference champion is crowned.
The Dawgs are 10-3-2 overall and 6-1-2 in the Great Plains Athletic Conference. Head coach Nick Smith reviewed his thoughts on certain points in the game and what helped the team bounce back.
“I looked at the coaching staff (after giving up back to back goals) and said I guess we are going figure out how much we are going to grow up in this moment,” commented coach Smith. “It was tough to concede the two goals because they were within three minutes of each other. Both were carbon copies of each other. Hastings wanted it more in those moments and if you don’t see out those plays, they are going to punish you for it. We brought the team together and changed up our shape. After, I feel like we gained confidence and it gave us some belief.”
The Broncos showed why they were a ranked team, as they were up two goals after 25 minutes looking to pile on and take full ownership of the conference. Both scores came from rebounds off two great saves from goalkeeper Bradi Ore, who tallied nine on the night. Hastings, having been the only team to score two non-penalty goals against Concordia, kept trying to pour on scores as the Bulldog backline stiffened.
Garner, having missed an open goal shot earlier in the match, made the Broncos pay in the 38th minute of the match. Off a corner kick, Savannah Andrews slid the ball to Kiestynn, just a few feet from the goal line. She kicked a score past the keeper, as hardly anyone moved, not expecting the ball to bend in on its own for her first goal of the evening.
Having spent plenty of time on the field together, Niah Kirchner passed Garner open as she ran down the ball in the box in the second half. Seeing the goalkeeper running out, KG chipped the ball over her opponent for her second score of the night. With this goal, Garner stayed the league’s leading goal scorer (15) and reclaimed the lead in points scored (34) for the GPAC.
Both Garner and Ore had highs and lows throughout the match, whether it be giving up a goal or missing an open net opportunity. Coach Smith commented on the two players' resiliency and fortitude to make the most of their next chances. “Kierstynn is a tremendous player, and shooters are gonna shoot. Sometimes that means you miss. She got the second opportunity in the first half and she made the ball and showed her mental strength. Bradi is a player who had to wait her turn (at Concordia). Ever since she grabbed the No. 1 spot and she has been a more confident player.”
Concordia (10-3-2, 6-1-2 GPAC) travels to Briar Cliff on Wednesday (oct. 18) and will face off on Faber Field. First kick is set for an early 3:30 p.m. CT start. The Bulldogs will need to win the next three matches to guarantee the regular season title, starting with the Chargers.
Windy environment kills high flying offense in scoreless standof
Oct. 18, 2023
SIOUX CITY, Iowa – The Bulldogs had less than desirable conditions in their early midweek match, as Concordia and Briar Cliff couldn’t find the back of the net through full time. The 0-0 bout brought offense that was as cloudy as the overhanging sky, leaving the teams knotted at Faber Field. CUNE was able to outshoot the Chargers 7-3 and kept the ball for the majority of the match, scoring an 11-1 corner kick advantage in Sioux City.
The Bulldogs are now 10-3-3 overall and 6-1-3 in the conference, tying their second straight match. Head coach Nick Smith commented on Briar Cliff's defensive shape and the reasons for low opportunites.
“Briar Cliff made it difficult because they set up in a pretty defensive shape tonight. In the 90 minutes, we weren’t able to create a ton of opportunities and we weren’t playing clinical enough to execute. When you pack the box (as Briar Cliff did), it makes you have limited space consistently. I also think they reached a point where they were happy with a 0-0. There are going to be teams that won’t be able to play us straight out and we are going to see this more in the years to come.”
The two offenses started slowly taking cracks at the goal, as the first shots were by Concordia in the 20th minute. Niah Kirchner and Kierstynn Garner took big swings as both were saved, one by the crossbar and the other by the Briar Cliff keeper.
Garner and company kept trying to build the offense for a goal, but the Chargers piled in the box, making the goal even smaller for the visitors.
In the second half, the Bulldogs came out swinging staying the attacking third for five minutes straight. Savannah Andrews smashed a header early but was unable to get it past the keeper, adding another save to her total.
The Bulldogs would rattle off four shots in the second half, but with a packed box, the match was still locked up at nil. They would stay on the attack with an 8-0 corner kick showing over Briar Cliff in the last 45 minutes. Concordia picked up on the fouls (10) in the second half, hitting double digits (13) before the final whistle.
Trying to find the game winner, the visitors left eight of their 11 starters out on the pitch for the full 90 minutes. The back line continued to stand strong with Grace Soenksen, Taylor Slaymaker, Hannah Kile and Shelby Rugg battling through the whole match to keep the Chargers’ offense at bay.
Another full time starter was goalkeeper Bradi Ore, gathering all three shots on goal, bringing her save count to 41 and complete shutouts to five on the season. The senior has been a bright spot as of late, earning shutouts in three of her last four matches.
Concordia (10-3-3, 6-1-3) comes back home for senior day against Waldorf (0-9-3, 0-6-2 GPAC) on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 21). First kick is set for 4:30 p.m. CT at Bulldog Stadium as the team honors three seniors in Hannah Haas, Kassidy Johnson, and Bradi Ore. The two teams last faced in 2017 with the Dawgs running over the Warriors 7-1 in Forrest City.
Dawgs get up early in Senior Day victory
Oct. 21, 2023
SEWARD, Neb. – Three seniors were honored before the 2-1 win over Waldorf on Saturday (Oct. 21). Kassidy Johnson, Hannah Haas and Bradi Ore played in their final regular season match in Bulldog Stadium, as the sun came down in the final minutes. Kierstynn Garner scored early and collected another goal in a seemingly similar fashion, giving the insurance goal and the eventual game winner in the first half.
Concordia moves their record to 11-3-3 overall and 7-1-3 in the conference. Nick Smith commented on the match flow and how important this senior class was in accepting him as their new head coach.
“We came out with a hot start, scoring with less than four minutes into the game. For a large portion of the match, I think we were really comfortable. We were passing the ball well. The only hang up that I have is that we weren’t able to score more goals, particularly in the first half. They were sitting in deep and it just made things difficult. I’ve been really fortunate to inherit this senior class. Bradi Ore has been an absolute stud for us in goal. Hannah Haas has been a vice captain for us this year and a great leader in the locker room. Kassidy (Johnson) is a really good kid and works really hard. That group has been really good in accepting me and helping me start my new journey here at Concordia.”
Garner seemingly scored as the first whistle blew, with a long pass by Savannah Andrews, maneuvered past the goalie in a one-versus-one scenario for an easy score. In the 33rd minute, a similar goal came at the feet of KG, as the long feed came from Niah Kirchner, sending the ball from midfield.
With her second goal, Kierstynn surpassed her single season record (five) for game winning goals from last year and tied Sami Birmingham (2016) for the second most (six) in program history. She, as a sophomore, has also earned the second most career game winning goals (11) in program history, tying Jennifer Davis (2003-06) and Gentri Brown (2003-06).
The offense stalled in the second half, as the Dawgs experienced a hunkered down defense once again. Despite Concordia’s slight edge in shots (5-3), the Warriors were able to capitalize in the 88th minute, leaving CUNE only up one. The Bulldogs received the ball first off the visitor's goal and ran the clock out in the final two minutes for the victory.
The Warriors had four shots total to the home team’s 13 and goalkeeper Bradi Ore credited her back line and fifth year center back Soenksen.
“The best thing is communication to help set the defense in the back. With Grace Soenksen, as a senior defender, she was able to help get the ball out of the back as well.”
Concordia (11-3-3, 7-1-3 GPAC) faces off against Doane (3-7-4, 2-5-3 GPAC) on Wednesday (Oct. 25) for their final match of the regular season. First kick is set for 7:15 p.m CT at Al Papik Field. The Dawgs bested the Tigers (2-0) in Seward last season.
Dawgs drill Doane, lock up GPAC's No. 2 seed
Oct. 25, 2023
CRETE, Neb. – Entering the night, Concordia University Women’s Soccer held hopes of capturing perhaps a share of the GPAC regular season title. The Bulldogs did not get the result they needed in the Dordt-Hastings clash, but they controlled their end of the bargain. Prolific striker Kierstynn Garner put away two more goals on Wednesday (Oct. 25) as the Bulldogs closed the regular season with a 4-0 drilling of Doane in Crete. The Tigers managed only one shot on goal for the entire 90 minutes.
Head Coach Nick Smith has worked wonders in year one while helping lift Concordia from a seventh place GPAC finish in 2022 into conference championship contention in 2023. The Bulldogs will carry a 12-3-3 (8-1-3 GPAC) record into the postseason.
“We had a sharp performance and came out with the right intensity early on in the game,” Smith said. “We had a couple early goals to really set us on our way, but the most pleasing aspect of the performance tonight was that the level never dropped. We were able to go pretty deep into our bench and everyone who came on maintained that level and maintained what we wanted in terms of tempo and energy off the ball. It was a really complete performance.”
Concordia never allowed Doane a chance in a rivalry matchup that has been decidedly one-sided over the past decade. The breakout sophomore Garner widened her GPAC lead in the goal scoring department with strikes in the ninth and 22nd minutes, respectively. In the process, the Kearney, Neb., native moved her season goal count to 19. The Bulldogs left no doubt as Savannah Andrews converted a penalty kick goal (12th of the season) in the 24th minute and Sierra Springer parked a shot into the back of the net in the 60th minute.
Those offensive exploits were more than enough on an evening when Doane (3-8-4, 2-6-3 GPAC) had very little going for it on the attack. The Tigers recorded a grand total of four shots (compared to 15 for Concordia). The Bulldogs also owned a 9-0 advantage in corner kicks. An overall solid defensive outing for Concordia kept goalkeeper Bradi Ore clean. She made one save while picking up her sixth shutout of the season.
If the Bulldogs are to hoist a conference championship trophy, it will have to be in the postseason. A team laden with sophomore starters wasn’t necessarily expected to go wire-to-wire with a chance at the league title. Here they are after following the lead of three-time First Team All-GPAC center back Grace Soenksen and GPAC Player of the Year candidate Garner.
“This is a great start,” Smith said. “Coming into preseason, we were picked fifth in conference, but all of the groundwork is here already. We’re a very young team. All but five of our goals have been scored by sophomores and freshmen. We have the pieces here to build the foundation for sustained success for the years to come. We have work to do this year. We’re excited about the tournament and looking to make a run and see how long we can extend our season.”
An assist apiece was credited to Taylor Slaymaker and Shelby Rugg on Wednesday. Contributions were made by many others that weren’t reflected in the stat line. The coaching staff has been consistently high on the work of Niah Kirchner as a defensive midfielder. While Garner steals many of the headlines, Andrews has backed her with the third highest goal total in the GPAC this season.
Concordia will have a bye this weekend as it awaits the results of Saturday’s action from around the GPAC. Official conference tournament pairings will be announced this weekend by the GPAC at the conclusion of all regular season action. As the No. 2 seed in the conference, the Bulldogs will host a GPAC quarterfinal game on Thursday, Nov. 2.
Hot start leads to victory over Jamestown in conference quarterfinals
Nov. 2, 2023
SEWARD, Neb. – Just a season ago, Concordia women’s soccer program was knocked out of last year’s GPAC tournament in the first round as a No. 7 seed. The Dawgs flipped the script, earning a No. 2 seed and aligning their path with seventh-seeded Jamestown for their quarterfinal clash. Raining down 18 total shots, Concordia scored two in the first half and held on for their first conference tournament victory (2-1) since winning the postseason tournament in 2020.
First year Head Coach Nick Smith’s squad has now won 13 games (13-3-3), which hasn’t been accomplished since 2018. Coach Smith commented on the match and growing confidence in his young team.
“I thought our first half was good. We played really well, created chances, and were able to score two big goals. I thought the second half we battled, considering we gave up an early goal. We were moving the ball really well. In the first half, I thought we were good at finding our wide players and we have a front group that is dangerous. We are a young group and we got through the second half with confidence. We have a group that is learning the game and the level (of play). The more we get ourselves into meaningful games like this, the more belief will grow in our group.”
The No. 2 seed looked comfortable under the lights at Bulldog Stadium, asserting their offensive dominance by scoring on their second shot of the match. Ruiz seized the ball in the box and created room for herself, crushing the first goal past the keeper in the early going. She spoke about her first goal since September and how the team is growing on the offensive end.
“It felt really good. Everyone around me was telling me to shoot it, so I did and it went in. Within our team, communication and effort have gone way up. I feel like we have matured as a team as well. We play off each other more and our energy goes up the more games we play.”
Piling on a 10-2 shot advantage in the first 45 minutes, Andrews found her chance in the 36th minute to score off a rebounded save and knocked in her second goal in two games. The Bulldogs have now totaled 51 goals this season, growing immensely from last season’s 33.
Coming out of the locker rooms, the Jimmies' offense revealed a pulse with a goal less than two minutes off the clock.
The side for the home team tried to answer with three consecutive shots but was unable to break through for a third score. Goalkeeper Bradi Ore collected two massive saves, keeping the Jimmies from the equalizer. Taylor Slaymaker and Grace Soenksen silenced a majority of their chances, as the final minutes of time ticked off the clock.
Concordia will host the third-seeded Midland on Tuesday (Nov. 7) in Bulldog Stadium. The Warriors moved to the semifinals by defeating sixth-seeded CSM 4-0. The two teams tied in their first match (1-1) in Seward in late Sept.
Dawgs drop match in semifinal to Midland
Nov. 7, 2023
SEWARD, Neb. – The two-seeded Bulldogs hosted the three-seeded Warriors on Tuesday night (Nov. 7) for the chance to go to the finals in the GPAC tournament for the first time since 2020. Concordia was unable to get the offense going, as Grace Soenksen and the back line had to defend a majority of the match, giving up a goal in each half for the 2-0 loss in Bulldog Stadium. Concordia tied for the fifth most wins in a season (13) in program history. CUNE leaped from seventh place in the GPAC in 2022 to second place in 2023. The Bulldogs 48 of the team's 51 goals were scored by underclassmen. The other three scorers were seniors Soenksen, Hannah Haas, and Kassidy Johnson.
The 2023 team will likely end their season with a 13-4-3 overall record in Head Coach Nick Smith’s first season. Coach Smith commented on struggling to dictate play and excitement for the future.
“It was a tough game for us tonight. They played in a shape that we had expected, but we struggled to dictate play like we did over the course of the season. We crafted ourselves some really quality chances. Unfortunately, when you don’t take those chances this time of year, you are going to be the loser. This group exceeded the expectations I had for this year. The excitement I have is the program moving forward. I knew we had a young and talented group. We have a group that can compete at this level. We have a group that can win a championship at this level. It was just unfortunate to run into a team that was playing really well tonight.”
Midland came out shooting, which put the Bulldogs continually on their heels in the first half, with a shot advantage (6-1) in favor of the visitors. Forward Sydney Herren came on in relief of Ami Lewis, scoring in the 36th minute of the match and the eventual game winner.
GPAC’s leading scorer Kierstynn Garner was constantly surrounded as the Warriors focused on trying to eliminate the offensive juggernaut. Concordia built to their attacking third many times but was unable to find the equalizer in the second half.
As time started to become a factor in the final minutes, the Warriors found a second goal by Addison Castellanos via feed from Herren.
Goalkeeper Bradi Ore kept the Dawgs in the match with four saves and was kept busy a lot of the night with the 12 total shots of the visitors.
Fifth year senior Grace Soenksen played her 92nd career game for the women’s soccer team tonight. She's a three-time First Team All-GPAC award winner, team captain, and leader.
With the conference tournament coming to a close for Concordia, the 2023 season will likely be finished barring a national tournament bid once the conference tournaments are concluded.
Season-In-Review: 2023 Concordia Women's Soccer
Nov. 26, 2023
The Concordia University Women’s Soccer program isn’t going anywhere. That’s a message the 2023 Bulldogs delivered loud and clear despite a roster containing only three graduating seniors (two of which are set to return in 2024). Head Coach Nick Smith pushed a lot of the right buttons in his first year at the helm while first fortifying the team’s chemistry and togetherness. Things began to fall into place back in the spring when Smith scored his first big recruiting victory: convincing Grace Soenksen to play a fifth season of college soccer.
Coming off a seventh place GPAC finish in 2022, league coaches pegged Concordia to place fifth prior to the ’23 campaign. The bump to fifth likely had a lot to do with the return of what had been a talented freshman class in 2022. Even so, the Bulldogs outperformed outside expectations.
“We exceeded what my expectations were if I’m honest,” Smith said. “I knew that we were a young group and we had a lot of talent. A lot of that talent wasn’t really tested yet at the college level. For me, I’m not from the area, so it was a little bit of a learning experience to see what the competition in the area held and what the GPAC was all about. I think we showed incredibly well. Just about every metric we could compare ourselves to from the year before, we were better. We earned more wins this year and had fewer losses this year. We scored nearly 20 more goals this year. Of the 51 goals we had on the year, 47 of those goals were scored by sophomores and freshmen. What that tells me is we’re going to be consistently competitive for a good while.”
Guided by the Whitehouse, Ohio, native Smith, Concordia even flirted with a potential national tournament bid. Unfortunately, those hopes were dashed on Nov. 7 with a home loss to eventual GPAC postseason champion Midland in the conference semifinals. The ending was a bitter pill to swallow, but the Bulldogs can take pride in knowing they made remarkable strides throughout the fall. At 13-4-3 overall, the 2023 Concordia team tied for the fifth most wins in a season in school history. Some of the more impressive performances included the 4-0 rout of Dordt, the 1-0 win at reigning GPAC champion Jamestown and the 2-2 tie at Hastings that required the Bulldogs to rally from a 2-0 deficit.
In sum, Concordia outscored its opponents by a combined total of 51-16. Eight shutouts were recorded with the help of Soenksen, who became the second player in program history to be named GPAC Defensive Player of the Year. The 2023 Bulldogs equaled a school record with five First Team All-GPAC selections as Soenksen was joined with that distinction by sophomore teammates Savannah Andrews, Kierstynn Garner, Hannah Kile and Niah Kirchner. In addition, Sierra Springer landed on the second team and Bradi Ore and Taylor Slaymaker garnered honorable mention status.
With one different result here or there, Concordia could have celebrated a GPAC championship in 2023. How exactly did it improve so dramatically this fall? Says Soenksen, “I think it was the maturity that we gained through last year. Nick does a really good job of working with the players and the talents that we have. He helped everyone understand why we were doing things a certain way. Things just clicked.”
While Soenksen and company played stout defensively, the program’s ability to put away goals has been a big reason for its ascent back near the top of the league standings. The Bulldogs have gone from 23 goals scored in 2021 to 33 in 2022 and to 51 in 2023. It certainly helps to have dynamic talents like Garner and Andrews in the attacking third. The Kearney, Neb., native Garner exploded onto the scene in 2023 and led the GPAC in goals during the regular season with 19. That total represented the highest for a Concordia player since Sami Birmingham’s 20 goals in 2016.
Andrews backed Garner with 13 goals of her own (four of which came in the 8-1 stomping of Mount Marty. Meanwhile, Springer and Elena Ruiz contributed five goals apiece. As a team, Concordia’s average of 2.55 goals scored per game ranked second best among GPAC teams. With ‘KG’ back in 2024 as a junior, the Bulldogs plan to put forth an even more lethal attack.
“I can’t say enough good things about Kierstynn,” Smith said. “She brings it every day to training and she brings it on game days too. She’s definitely a player who leads through example. She has a number of different ways that she can impact a game. She’s incredibly efficient when she crafts herself an opportunity in front of the net. The system and style of soccer that we play is really beneficial to players like KG. We were a team this year that wanted to control possession as much as possible. What that means is we’re constantly stretching our opposition and making them put in a lot of work off the ball. What that does is allow a player of KG’s caliber to pick and choose the right moments as to when to be direct and when to be aggressive. She took a huge step forward. We’re looking for more growth from her. I truly believe she can get 30-plus goals per season.”
Soenken teamed up in the back with the likes of all-conference award winners in Kile and Slaymaker. Also a Kearney native, Slaymaker returned from injury and started all 20 games. She was one of six Bulldogs to be able to claim that same feat. The others were Garner, Kile, Kirchner, Soenksen and Shelby Rugg. In goal, Ore took command of the starting role (17 starts) and picked up six shutouts while making 49 saves and recording a goals against average of 0.81. Ore effectively answered the questions at the keeper spot after the program graduated two-year starter Kalie Ward. Ore was one of three seniors honored on senior day (in addition to Hannah Haas and Kassidy Johnson). Ore and Johnson both plan to stay for one more season.
As Smith has relayed to his team, the 2023 Bulldogs were a bit of an underdog story with modest outside expectations entering the season. That won’t be the case in 2024. Smith will begin the process of getting his team to embrace lofty expectations as the spring semester sets the tone for the ’24 campaign.
“It’s about making sure we’re continuing to raise the bar in our offseason and not settle with what we’ve done this year,” Smith said. “When we’re out recruiting, we want to add depth to the roster and consistently push that level with who we bring in. I’m incredibly proud of this group. We did a lot of growing up this year. Looking back, 13-4-3 is a great record. I also felt like we let a couple results go. That is to be expected with a relatively young group. For the majority of the year, we started eight sophomores and one freshman. We’re going to see the rewards for all that experience they earned in the years to come. We’re a program that’s trending in the right direction. Hopefully next year we can take a couple more steps forward and compete for GPAC regular season and tournament titles.”