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The Concordia University women's soccer team was able to put a scare in Kansas Wesleyan, ranked No. 24 in the nation, before the Coyotes could feel comfortable in a 4-2 defeat of the Bulldogs on Monday afternoon at Bulldog Stadium in Seward, Neb.
The two teams went to halftime tied 0-0 before the Coyotes quick-strike offense was able to jump out to a 3-0 lead. The Bulldogs youth showed its own quick -strike capabilities as Sarah Hoffman scored on a free kick and just one minute and thirty seconds later Mallory Blanck scored off an assist from Molly Millard.
"Overall I am proud of my team," said head coach Rob Giesbrecht. "We showed our team's character and didn't surrender when we were down 3-0, we fought back and made it interesting. KWU is a good team, they are talented, experienced and played very cohesively. We started 5 freshmen tonight, so tonight was about us taking a step."
The Coyotes would add another goal with eleven seconds remaining in the second half as the Bulldogs attempting an offensive rush of their own to tie the score. The Bulldogs' best late opportunity came when Jordan Meyer made a run of the left hash and cut to the middle only to have her shot stopped at the goal line. "She (Meyer) had a great game, she ran miles for us and pestered their defenders," said Giesbrecht. "She is a tough battler up top and was unlucky not be rewarded when she was brought down in the box in the dying minutes of the match."
"The biggest difference was the physical play by our opponents," continued Giesbrecht. "I was very impressed by their strength on the ball and their willingness to pay the physical price. When we competed physically, we played with them. When we lacked the physical intensity required we really struggled."
The Bulldogs will take Tuesday to recover before heading to Bellevue, Neb., to take on the Bellevue University Bruins on Wednesday night at 7 p.m.
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