SEWARD, Neb. – Following the senior day celebration, Concordia University, Nebraska Men’s Soccer is set to square off with ninth-ranked Bellevue University on Wednesday (Sept. 10). The Bulldogs defeated Central Christian College (Kan.) for their first win of the season. Head Coach Jason Weides and company have a 1-4 record through five games.
This Week
Wednesday, Sept. 10 at No. 9 Bellevue (4-1-1), 7:45 p.m.
--Live Webcast | Live Stats | Location: Renner Dennis Outdoor Athletic Complex (Bellevue, Neb.)
After going four games without a score in open play, Concordia enters Ricards Busmeisters as the transfer delivers two goals in his second game for the Bulldogs. The fresh-faced Iowa Western forward tallied six shots in the offensive onslaught, including a score in the 4th and 15th (assist by Olver Benson) minutes. Jasper Hofland tacked on his first score as a Bulldog with a pristine assist by newcomer Milo Hegarty. The Bulldogs were dangerous virtually the entire contest with 13 shots. Ten cards were given in the physical bout and goalkeeper Inigo Chavarria blocked six shots for saves. Benson (three shots) and Hofland (two shots) added to the offensive sharpness in the 90 minutes.
With a game where the team improved, the Bulldogs fell (2-0) in the match in Atchison, Kan., versus Benedictine College. Concordia was down early in the contest and let a second goal come with the seconds before the halftime break. Looking to find a score in the second 45, the second frame effort led to Concordia besting the home squad in total corners (9-8) and a slight edge in shots (9-8), while also coming up empty on the scoreboard.
Averaging 10.4 shots per game, Concordia is led by Busmeisters (seven), Benson (seven), Hegarty (six), Hofland (four), Garrote (four), Michael Wyvill (three) and six other players have two, spreading the ball around in the attacking half. The Seward side has a .385 shot on goal percentage and 52 total in five contests.
Busimeisters, a Riga, Latvia, native, made his Bulldog debut at Benedictine College (Kan.) and it hasn’t taken long for him to make himself known in the attacking third. Scoring off a corner kick and an unassisted finish, the sophomore forward has shown he can score in multiple ways early in his time in Seward. Hofland, out of Papendrecht, Netherlands, has made his impact on the midfield and earned his first points in the senior day game.
The Dawgs entered 25 total players and 13 new additions through three games. The fresh face list includes the likes of Busmeisters, Kyle Eck, Hegarty, Niko Nareike, Rodriguez, Sam Hamilton, Brody Haynie, Cleme Suarez, Jasper Hofland, Noah Rakowsky Joe McCarroll, Chavarria, Oliver Balazs and Connor Robbins. The roster has 17 different players added after losing 14 from last year’s squad. Ten players saw action last season that returned for the year and includes a list of all-conference honorees Fuelberth, Stratman and Wyvill. Other notable returners are Oliver Benson, Brown, Garrote, Hollnagel, Slade Leicht, Kai Olbrich and Adrian Wambua.
The then-ranked No. 7 Bruins and Bulldogs clashed in Bulldog Stadium a season ago as the visitors were given a penalty kick in the final minute to win the contest (2-1). Wyvill tallied his first collegiate goal against Bellevue and nine cards were issued in the 2024 matchup. The two teams split in the previous four games, always holding a quality bout in the rivalry.
The Massey Ratings have the Bulldogs rated 79th after the start of the year. With a strength of schedule at 38th in the country, Concordia will continue to go higher as the Bruins are currently rated 14th and have a schedule position of 52. Other GPAC teams are rated in order: Midland (27), Hastings (70), Briar Cliff (71), Northwestern (74) and Morningside (77).
Bellevue
The Bruins are 4-1-1 with all four wins coming against GPAC opponents. Bellevue defeated Doane (4-0), Hastings (1-0), Briar Cliff (3-2), Morningside (3-0) and tied No. 20 Clarke University (Iowa). With 11 goals in six games, three athletes have two goals in Adam Sherwood, Samuel Puth and Jeremiah Hteh. The assist leader is former Bulldog Okan Erkocu, who has three pass-to-goal finishes. Averaging 12 shots per contest, the Bruins have a .153 shot percentage. The defense was even more impressive, giving up only three goals. Keeper Kaden Simpson has 24 saves and a .889 save percentage.
Next Week
Concordia will face York University next. The Bulldogs will be competing at Bulldog Stadium against the Panthers.
Wednesday, Sept. 17
5:30 p.m. – vs. York