Thirteen Bulldogs represented the Concordia Women's Soccer program on the list of 2022 NAIA Scholar-Athletes. The repeat honorees include Aliyah Aldama, Allee Downing, Ellie Eason, Lina Kirst, Kadyn Lane and Lisa McClain.
There were ups and downs in 2022, but Concordia Women’s Soccer proved it could hang with anyone in the GPAC. The Bulldogs blended seniors and freshmen and put together the longest unbeaten run to begin a season in program history.
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 with Academic All-District Team recognition.
Grace Soenksen has capped her collegiate career by earning a third-straight First Team All-GPAC award. She was joined on the 2022 all-conference lists by teammates Kierstynn Garner and Ellie Eason.
A goal in the 85th minute allowed Concordia to force overtime and put second-seeded Briar Cliff in jeopardy of falling victim to a GPAC quarterfinal upset. However, the Chargers responded in OT and ended the Bulldogs' 2022 season.
Thanks to their performances in last week's 2-0 win over Doane, Kierstynn Garner and Kalie Ward have been named GPAC players of the week. Garner notched a goal and an assist in the win and Ward made four saves as part of the shutout.
Three-time GPAC tournament champions as a program, the seventh-seeded Bulldogs will be at No. 2 seed Briar Cliff on Wednesday for the conference quarterfinals. Concordia enters the postseason at 10-5-2 overall.
With the fate of the season at stake, the Bulldogs rose to the occasion and defeated Doane, 2-0, on Wednesday (Oct. 26) while wrapping up the regular season. Kierstynn Garner and Savannah Andrews both found the back of the net.
Postseason hopes are on the line this Wednesday as the Bulldogs will conclude the regular season with a visit from Doane. Currently, Concordia resides in sixth place in the GPAC standings. The program has a 13-year streak of reaching the postseason.
Concordia improved its chances of securing a GPAC tournament berth while taking a 1-0 win at Presentation on Saturday (Oct. 22). The lone goal was delivered by freshman Savannah Andrews in the 24th minute.
While challenging itself significantly this spring, Concordia Women's Soccer began preparing for lofty expectations in 2024. Coach Nick Smith has emphasized better possession and standing up to physical play.
The Concordia Women’s Soccer program isn’t going anywhere. That’s a message the 2023 Bulldogs delivered loud and clear while following the lead of the likes of Grace Soenksen and Kierstynn Garner. Concordia exceeded outside expectations.
Ninety-two career games played and four First Team All-GPAC awards to her credit, Grace Soenksen can humbly say that she left a legacy that will stand the test of time. Said Head Coach Nick Smith, "She’s going to go down as a legend."
The transitional phase for Concordia Women's Soccer began back in the spring as Nick Smith took the reins of the program. With the return of Grace Soenksen and a talented sophomore group, the Bulldogs are optimistic about this fall.
In the middle of March, Nick Smith found himself hitting the ground running with spring training sessions. The new Concordia Women's Soccer head coach sees a program with the right foundation for short- and long-term success.
There were ups and downs in 2022, but Concordia Women’s Soccer proved it could hang with anyone in the GPAC. The Bulldogs blended seniors and freshmen and put together the longest unbeaten run to begin a season in program history.
Fresh off a normal spring for the first time since 2019, the Bulldogs are working towards another season of GPAC championship contention. Coach Goines' squad returns a strong nucleus while welcoming an athletic freshman class.
At one point determined to go anywhere but Concordia, Grace Soenksen wound up following in the footsteps of four of her older siblings. She's proven, however, that she is not another Esther. Grace has made her mark in her own way.
The leadership group has begun to be reshaped as the program works on building an identity for the 2022 season. Captains Allee Downing and Grace Soenksen helped lead that process as part of a productive spring for Head Coach Thomas Goines' squad.
Gritty defensive performances and one-goal games were the story in 2021 for the Bulldogs, who competed closely with everyone in the GPAC. Concordia finished 9-7-2 overall while being led by an accomplished senior class.