SEWARD, Neb. – After enjoying a mid-week break, the Concordia University Men’s Soccer team looks forward to returning to action on Saturday when it will be at Lloyd Wilson Field in Hastings, Neb. Matchups with the perennially powerful Broncos are always highly anticipated. Saturday’s kickoff is set for 8 p.m. CT. Head Coach Jason Weides’ squad will enter the weekend at 6-6-1 overall (4-3 GPAC).
Saturday, Oct. 16 at Hastings (7-3-1, 6-2), 8 p.m.
--Live Webcast/Stats
Last time out, the Bulldogs earned a 3-0 win in the pouring rain at Jamestown on Oct. 9. Concordia goals were generated by Yessine Bessaïes (40’), David Moreno (52’) and Martin Herrera (55’). Bessaïes also contributed an assist. The Bulldogs held an advantage in shots, 17-13 (7-4 in shots on goal). Keeper Gabriel Mendoza made four saves while earning the shutout. From top to bottom, Weides believed it was one of the team’s best performances of the season.
As of Thursday morning, Concordia sits in fifth place (12 points) in the GPAC standings with possible room for upward mobility. The Bulldogs are currently looking up at Northwestern (8-0 GPAC; 24 points), Briar Cliff (7-1 GPAC; 21 points), Hastings (6-2 GPAC; 18 points) and Morningside (5-3 GPAC; 15 points). Concordia has work to do if it is going to extend an active streak of 10 straight seasons with at least 10 victories. Since the start of the 2011 season, Weides has guided the program to an overall record of 116-67-23.
On the season, the Bulldogs have outscored their opponents by a combined total of 24-15. Seven Concordia players have notched at least two goals: Garrett Perry (four), Isaiah Shaddick (four), Bessaïes (three), Moreno (three), Max Bisinger (two), Martin Herrera (two) and Ryan Wokutch (two). After going through a run of attacking struggles, the Bulldogs have totaled 10 goals in three games during the month of October. That stretch includes the 5-1 win at Dakota Wesleyan. Defensively, Concordia has held five of its seven GPAC opponents to either one or no goals (three shutouts).
Hastings may not be the top team in the GPAC at this moment, but it remains a dangerous foe. The Broncos are just a couple of years removed from a national championship game appearance. During its current three-game win streak, Hastings has beaten Midland, Mount Marty and Doane. Within conference games, the Broncos have outscored their opponents by a combined total of 19-9. Cole Poppen is currently serving as the program’s Interim Head Coach. Since upsetting Hastings in the 2015 GPAC tournament championship game, the Bulldogs have beaten in each of the past nine meetings (four in postseason play) with the Broncos.
In next week’s action, Concordia will be at Briar Cliff on Oct. 20 and then host Presentation on Oct. 23. Entering this weekend, the Bulldogs have just four games remaining in the regular season.