SEWARD, Neb. – The Bulldogs will travel for the first time to Bellevue University (Sept. 5), while returning home for a clash with McPherson College (Kan.) on Saturday (Sept. 9). The Bulldogs relived an early season goal against York University but finished strong with a 3-1 win on Wednesday (Aug. 30) over their out of conference neighbors. Last Saturday (Sept. 2), the Bulldogs stayed undefeated with a tight 1-0 shutout defeating Tabor College (Kan.). Concordia moves to 3-0 as their mission to go further continues against two quality opponents who will challenge them on the grass this week.
This Week
Tuesday, Sept. 5 vs. Bellevue (2-2-2), 7:30 p.m.
--Live Webcast | Live Stats | Location: Papillion Landing
Saturday, Sept. 9 vs. McPherson (0-3), 5:30 p.m.
--Live Webcast | Live Stats | Location: Bulldog Stadium
By the numbers
· The matchup against York felt like a recurring dream for the first six minutes of the game. The Panthers scored in the 3’ which was the same as their season opening match. Then Hinman answered in the 6’ which came in the same minute in the contest against the Yellow Jackets. The team grew from their first match not settling and finishing with a 3-1 victory over York. The goal by Hinman featured another assist by Matin Herrera adding his second straight game with an assist and notched the eighth of his career. Victor Meneses put the eventual game winner pas the keeper right before halftime as he tied his freshman year in goals (2) in only two games. Meneses received the feed from transfer D’andre (Dre) Williams, making his presence known early, after gaining eligibility one day before the match. Fifth Year (covid) Izzy Shaddick put a set piece between the posts for the final goal gaining the 18th goal of his career and moving him into sole ownership of 13th place on the all-time scoring list for Concordia. The Bulldogs outshot the Panthers 11-4 and corner kick 6-2. This is their only common opponent for Concordia this week as Bellevue defeated York, 4-0.
· Hinman, the defensive line and everyone in between helped lead CUNE to a shutout of Tabor after an early goal. Carter, putting his third goal in three games, looked to give the Bulldogs the early lead for the first time this 2023 season. Scoring in minute three, he plunged in a goal off an assist from Braden Spath tallying the third of his career. While Concordia won by a slim margin, the Bulldogs stayed on the attack winning the shot battle 15-5, not being able to capitalize on the many chances over the 90 minutes. The Bulldogs also had advantage on corner kicks 8-2.
· The win over Tabor helped the Bulldogs stay undefeated (3-0) and the first time under Weides since 2019 and tying the 2017, 2012. With a win over Bellevue, the 2023 Bulldogs will have surged to the second best start under Weides in his 16 years as head coach of Concordia. The 2019 team went 7-0 over before finally losing to Kansas Wesleyan University, 1-2 (OT).
· Goalkeeper Nolan Fuelberth gathered his first shutout of his career having only played half a match his freshman season, he earned two starts this week. Battling with Gabriel Mendoza for playing time, he allowed one goal against the Panthers but was able to grab two saves for the Bulldogs. That was enough for Fuelberth as he helped set the back line for the defense that only allowed five shots through 90 minutes.
Bellevue
Bellevue (2-2-2) looks to go above .500 against Concordia having played common opponent York in a 4-0 win over the Panthers. This rival game seems to always be a tight one, as the last six matchups have ended with a 3-3 overall record between these two teams. The last game was in Bulldog stadium on Sept. 10 2022, where the Dogs escaped with a 1-0 victory through an unassisted goal from Carlos Orquiz. The physical match ended with 10 cards as the teams battled for all 90 minutes. The Bruins have also matched with GPAC opponents Morningside, Briar Cliff, and Doane so far this season. Losing to Morningside (2-1) and Briar Cliff (3-1), Bellevue redeemed themselves with a win over Doane (2-0). They return leading goal scorer from last season Jake Cover (7) though he has yet to score through six matches. Allvaro Moros Sanz (2nd in goals in 2022), Gabriel Dias Juliani, Fletcher Hedge and Ombeni Mubake all have two goals so far in the team attack. They lose their second team all conference goalie Romeo Paparesta and Sebastain Zapata to their lineup.
McPherson
McPherson (0-4) has yet to find the win column this season but wants to do so against Concordia. They have faced two GPAC opponents losing to Briar Cliff (7-1) and Doane (3-0) in their matchups early this season. The Bulldogs of Concordia and McPherson have faced four times since 2009 and Concordia leads the series 2-1-1 with the last two (2018, 2019) matchups decided by overtime. CUNE won both overtime bouts, 3-2. Shaddick had an assist to Carlos Ferrer in the 2019 win, as CUNE had an 8-7 shot advantage over McPherson. Concordia will no longer have over 90 minutes to get the job done as regular season matches are no longer allowed overtime. McPherson has scored three goals so far this season in Abdul Kanu and Benedict Mbogga (third goal unknown). Anthony Pereira holds the only assist so far through four games.
Next Week
The Bulldogs will get back on the road this season traveling to Benedictine College (Sept. 13) and then return home to host their conference opener on Saturday (Sept. 9). The matches are listed below and will be hosted at Village of Lisle-Benedictine University Sports Complex and Bulldog Stadium.
Wednesday, Sept. 13
7:30 p.m. – vs. Benedictine
Saturday, Sept. 16
1:00 p.m. – vs. Mount Marty