SEWARD, Neb. – Concordia University, Nebraska will face an undefeated York University in its final non-conference match on Saturday (Sept. 12). In the past six days, the Bulldogs were constantly tested going 1-2 on the competitive pitch with three games played against Bellevue University, No. 5 William Penn University (Iowa) and No. 17 Grand View University (Iowa). Head Coach Bernie Ochoa and company are 1-4 early in 2026.
This Week
Saturday, Sept. 12 at York, 4:30 p.m.
--Webcast | Live Stats | Location: York Soccer Complex (York, Neb.)
By the numbers
• The coaching change did nothing to change expectations for Concordia heading into the 2026 season. The 2025 GPAC tournament champion Bulldogs were placed atop the GPAC preseason coaches’ poll. The Concordia Athletics Hall of Famer Bernie Ochoa plans to uphold the program’s high standards. During former Head Coach Jason Weides’ 18-year tenure, the Bulldogs won three GPAC tournament titles while reaching the conference championship final six times. The ’25 team broke through on the national stage by triumphing in penalty kicks on the way to the program’s first ever advanced to the second round of the national tournament.
• The Bulldogs competed in their lone non-conference clash against the Bruins, taking the first win of the season and the first of Coach Ochoa’s tenure. The collective victory was topped off by extravagant scores by Hugo Garrote and Kai Olbrich on senior day. Garrote bent in a unassisted corner touch and Olbrich finished from left to right outrunning a couple of defenders for a score. Florian Quast earned his first clean sheet (five saves) of the season and the back line kept the shots tough from being dangerous. The seniors that were honored included Niko Nareike, Michael Wyvill, Hugo Garrote, Kai Olbrich, Jasper Hofland, Mattis Hollnagel and Jason Payne.
• Concordia battled through two tough Iowa road tests, falling 2-0 at William Penn before dropping a 3-1 decision at Grand View. The Bulldogs were held scoreless in Oskaloosa despite producing 13 shots, including four on goal, while Florian Quast made six saves. Two days later in Des Moines, Concordia again generated 10 shots and put four on frame. Karlo Rodriguez provided the lone goal of the trip, finishing in the 81st minute off assists from Milo Hegarty and William Preston. Concordia totaled nine shots on goal across the two matches, while Quast recorded 11 saves. The Bulldogs also earned six corner kicks compared to eight for their opponents.
• A set of twins have shown an immediate impact through the first five games of the 2026 campaign. Lucas and Sebastian Montino look identical and for the new fans of the pair, the numbers on their backs are only one digit apart (No. 12 and 13). The two Iowa Western transfers have been on the pitch a combined 700 minutes, fourth (Lucas) and sixth (Sebastian) on the team. Sebastian leads the side with nine shots (five on goal) as Lucas has three from a wingback position. Both have started in all five contests.
• A healthy season from Sean Stratman will provide a boost on the back line. The Omaha native earned Second Team All-GPAC honors in 2024 before being limited to 11 games in 2025. Stratman was named Concordia’s Bulldog Athletics Association Member Male Athlete of the Week following the road trip to Oklahoma. From the 2025 team, Concordia said goodbye to six of eight GPAC All-Conference honorees. That leaves midfielder Hugo Garrote and center back Mike Wyvill as two of the most decorated returners.
• Of the 14 players who started at least one game on the road trip, five are newcomers: Lucas Montino, Sebastian Montino, Danilo Nikolic, Joao Pedro Moreira and Florian Quast. Over the three contests in Iowa, the most minutes were logged by Stratman (261), Garrote (259), Niko Nareike (258), Michael Wyvill (238) and Joe McCarroll (222).
York
A former Concordia graduate assistant, Head Coach Benny Hanaphy is in his fifth year of the program, improving the team’s record drastically. The Panthers finished with a 12-5-1 record last season and have earned a 3-0 start to the 2026 campaign. York has defeated three GPAC teams including Doane (4-1), Mount Marty (5-3) and Midland (5-2). Scoring 14 goals in the first three contests, the lead finishers are Asaph Achero (four), Tim Schafer (three) and Finlay Lee (two). Eight different Panthers have found the back of the net and the team fires a .630 shot on goal percentage. The defense has given up six goals in two games with all 270 minutes in the net being protected by senior goalkeeper Jamie Watt.
Next week
Following Saturday (Sept. 12)’s matchup with York, the Bulldogs will enter GPAC action on Saturday, Sept. 19 with a drive to Sioux Center, Iowa. The matchup will be at the Dordt Soccer Complex.