Bethel ends Concordia’s unbeaten run
HASTINGS, Neb. – Concordia men’s soccer head coach Jason Weides knew the competition would ratchet up this weekend with games against a pair of teams either ranked or receiving votes in the latest NAIA coaches’ poll. The Bulldogs were unable to get off to their typical fast start on the offensive end on Friday and fell, 1-0, to Bethel College (Ind.) in their first game of the Hastings Tournament in Hastings, Neb.
The Pilots (3-0-1), who were in the “receiving votes” category in the NAIA rankings, nipped Concordia (3-1) by notching the game’s lone goal in the 52nd minute. Bethel’s Daniel Moyo assisted Ricardo Carvalho, who deposited the goal from eight yards out to send the Bulldogs to their first defeat of the season.
“We played a poor second half after conceding the goal,” Weides said. “We played too direct and didn’t hold the ball well. We didn’t handle their speed and direct play well.”
Concordia had just as many opportunities as the Pilots in terms of shots and shots on goal, with each team posting 10 shots and four on goal. Attacking senior forward Aaron Skipworth fired off a match-high four shots and one on goal but is still looking to find the back of the net for the first time this season. Skipworth and company had clean looks in the final minutes, but couldn’t capitalize.
Bulldog sophomore keeper Brendan Buchanan, who earned shutouts in each of the team’s first two wins, played all 90 minutes in goal. He collected three saves.
Concordia continues play in Hastings on Saturday with another tough opponent in No. 20 Grand View (Iowa) at 5 p.m. The Vikings were previously ranked No. 6, but dropped 14 spots after losing their first two games. However, Grand View hung tough with GPAC power and No. 14 Hastings on Friday before the Broncos prevailed, 1-0.