Bulldogs unable to stop Briar Cliff win streak

By Jacob Knabel on Oct. 20, 2021 in Men's Soccer

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – A schedule adjustment on short notice meant a full day in Sioux City, Iowa, for the Concordia University Men’s Soccer team on Wednesday (Oct. 20). Following a long wait, the Bulldogs slogged through rainy, cold conditions and fell at the hands of red-hot Briar Cliff, 1-0, at Memorial Field. A goal by Marcus Horwood early in the second half accounted for the game’s lone score.

Head Coach Jason Weides’ squad entered the week with virtually no margin for error in terms of its bid for a top four seed in the GPAC standings. Concordia (6-7-2, 4-4-1 GPAC) currently resides in fifth place in the conference.

From Weides’ perspective, it was a poor start to the second half that made the difference on Wednesday. Said Weides, “It’s frustrating to not get results when you feel like you have the opportunity to. It would be different if we were getting played off the field in these games, but that’s just not the case. I think this one was a tale of two halves. We played pretty well in the first half. I was really pleased with so many aspects of our game. We had the lion’s share of the ball in the first half. They were far better in the second half.”

The run of hot goal scoring during the month of October ended on Wednesday with the Chargers stymying the Bulldogs, who put only four shots on frame (including two from center back Decker Mattimoe). Concordia had totaled 13 goals over its previous four outings. On a positive note, Bulldog keeper Gabriel Mendoza made six saves to help keep the visitors within a goal. In these tight games with foes situated at or near the top of the GPAC, it always seems to be the opposition that capitalizes on a mistake.

Briar Cliff (10-5, 8-1 GPAC) needed this one in order to keep pace with Northwestern (9-0 GPAC) and keep hopes alive for a conference regular season title. The Chargers rode Horwood’s 51st-minute goal to victory while recording their third shutout within GPAC play. Briar Cliff has won six straight games since its 2-0 loss at Northwestern on Sept. 18.

Said Weides, “Second half, we still had some opportunities and had some clear-cut good chances. We just couldn’t quite put it on frame. Unfortunately we were chasing the lead in the second half. Credit to Briar Cliff. I think they played pretty well with that lead. They defended well and managed the game. Briar Cliff’s a good team. There’s a reason why they’re in second place. It’s another example of how we can be there. We’re just not doing those little things.”

To illustrate Weides’ point, the Bulldogs have been right on the heels of the current top four in the GPAC. They dropped decisions by one-goal margins to Northwestern, Briar Cliff and Morningside and tied with Hastings. Those four teams are a combined 28-6-1 in conference play.

Wednesday’s contest was originally scheduled to be played at 3:30 p.m. CT at Faber Field (grass) on the Briar Cliff campus. Due to heavy rain, the game was pushed back to 7 p.m. and played on a turf field at Sioux City Bishop Heelan High School.

The Bulldogs now look forward to their final home game of the 2021 regular season. They will honor a group of six seniors prior to Saturday’s 8 p.m. CT kickoff versus Presentation (2-10, 1-8 GPAC). Concordia has gone 3-0 against the Saints since they became a member of the conference (soccer only) beginning in 2018.