SEWARD, Neb. – In a clash between two sides seeking their first victories of 2025, the Concordia University, Nebraska Men’s Soccer team got on the board with the result it needed. Newcomer Ricards Busmeisters wreaked havoc up top while propelling the Bulldogs to a 3-1 win over Central Christian College (Kan.) on cool but sun-soaked Saturday (Sept. 6) from Bulldog Stadium. Following the victory, Concordia honored a class of eight seniors.
Head Coach Jason Weides’ squad has earned its first win if five outings this season. The strong performance is something for the Bulldogs to build upon as conference play draws nearer.
“The winning vibes are nice and the energy is nice,” Weides said. “The message for us though is if we were 4-0 right now, would we play this game any different? That’s the mentality we wanted to have – not to put added pressure on ourselves but to give our best in this moment. We need to focus on the now, and I think our guys did a good job of that. We came out flying.”
A sophomore from Riga, Latvia, and Iowa Western Community College transfer, Busmeisters made his Concordia debut at Benedictine College (Kan.) on Wednesday and has helped spark an attack that is suddenly creating more chances. If not for a close call on an offside, Busmeisters would have had a hat trick in the opening 20 minutes of Saturday’s contest. His first goal as a Bulldog occurred in the fourth minute when he robbed the keeper of the ball and tapped it in. Roughly 10 minutes later, Concordia teammates were mobbing Busmeisters once again as he put a away a corner that came off the foot of Oliver Benson.
Eventually, the Bulldogs put the game to bed as another transfer in Jasper Hofland found the back of the net and made it a three-goal advantage in the final six minutes. Hofland was assisted by Milo Hegarty, who put his teammate one-on-one with the keeper. The late goal supplied a more fitting margin based on Concordia’s thorough advantage in possession. Three Bulldog goals were disallowed due to offside calls.
As for Busmeisters, he starred on Saturday despite feeling under the weather. Said Busmeisters, “I haven’t playing much due to injuries and stuff like that, so I’m just grateful for this opportunity to be back on the field and doing what I love to do … We’re like a family. Everybody loves each other and welcome everyone with open hands. There’s no tension on the team. Everyone’s all together. I’m loving it.”
There will be teaching points that come out of the win. Concordia lost focus a bit in the closing minutes when it conceded a goal (88th) minute and nearly surrendered another one. Overall, it was a solid day for goalkeeper Inigo Chavarria (six saves) and the back line. Chavarria was one of four seniors to start as he was joined in the first 11 by Benson, Slade Leicht and Adrian Wambua. Benson just missed out on a goal late in the first half when the Tiger keeper emerged with a fine save. Wambua came up with a notable denial in the box in the 77th minute. Central Christian (0-4-1) was outshot, 13-10.
The game featured 11 total cards. Both teams played a large portion of the second half with 10 men. Ultimately, the Bulldogs earned the right to ring the bell. Each of the seniors did the honors, including not previously mentioned seniors Santiago Abadia, Caleb Babisak, Lance Kiango and Kondwani Mtawali.
Said Weides, “Sometimes it’s the only opportunity we get to see those families. We have a lot of Nebraska guys and local guys, but we have a lot of guys from out of state and out of the country. They don’t always get a chance to see their parents very often. We know they’re supporting us from afar. It’s fun to celebrate that. We get to see the growth of individuals as they turn from young men into men by the time they graduate. They just hope they love this experience.”
The Bulldogs will get back on the road for a short trek to Papillion, Neb., on Wednesday for a clash with ninth-ranked Bellevue University (3-1-1). The Bruins took last season’s meeting by a 2-1 final score. The previous year (2023), Concordia got the upper hand by the same score.