SEWARD, Neb. – After a string of low goal output games to begin the conference slate, the Concordia University Men’s Soccer team will continue GPAC play this week. The Bulldogs will host Midland on Wednesday before heading to Mitchell, S.D., for Saturday’s matchup with Dakota Wesleyan. Head Coach Jason Weides’ squad came up just short over the weekend at Northwestern with a chance to remain unbeaten within the league. Just over halfway through the regular season, Concordia sits at 4-4-1 overall (2-1 GPAC).
This Week
Wednesday, Sept. 29 vs. Midland (4-4, 1-2), 8 p.m.
--Live Webcast/Stats
Saturday, Oct. 2 at Dakota Wesleyan (1-8, 0-2), 3:30 p.m.
--Live Webcast/Stats
Goals have been at a premium so far in conference play. The Bulldogs own wins over Mount Marty, 2-0, and Dordt, 1-0, and a loss to Northwestern, 1-0. In last week’s victory over Dordt, Concordia got the only goal it needed when Eli Rhodes found the back of the net in the second minute. That score held up for the final 88 minutes while the Bulldogs outshot the Defenders, 20-4. A fine performance by Dordt keeper Brandon Hansen (10 saves) helped his side stay close. Northwestern got its lone goal in this past weekend’s matchup in the 65th minute from Niklas Fitter. The Red Raiders have jumped out to a 7-1-1 overall record.
Quality keeper play from three different starters this season has played a role in Concordia’s ability to limit opposing attacks. Freshman Gabriel Mendoza played all 180 minutes in goal last week and made 11 saves while conceding just one goal. Through nine games, Concordia has outscored its opponents by a combined total of 14-10 while holding a collective shots advantage of 116-98. Last week, Rhodes became the 10th different Bulldog to find the back of the net this season. The team goal scoring leader remains Garrett Perry with three goals. Shaddick and Max Bisinger have contributed two goals apiece.
Concordia twice defeated Midland last season (1-0 and 4-2). In conference play, the Warriors sandwiched a 7-0 win over Presentation in between losses to Jamestown, 2-1 in overtime, and Dordt, 3-2. The Defenders were able to erase a 2-1 deficit with a goal apiece in the 77th and 90th minutes. Midland lost despite a 23-5 advantage in shots. The Warriors struggled through a 2-10-1 season in 2020-21. That mark followed a 13-5-2 (9-1-1 GPAC) record in 2019.
Dakota Wesleyan enters the week with an eight-game losing streak that has included six shutout losses in a row. In their only game last week, the Tigers fell by a 3-0 score at Briar Cliff. Overall this season, DWU has been outscored, 35-6, by its opponents. In last season’s meeting, the Bulldogs defeated the Tigers, 2-0 in Seward. It was a measure of revenge for Concordia, which suffered a 1-0 loss at Dakota Wesleyan in the 2019 regular season finale.
As part of next week’s slate, the Bulldogs will host No. 22 Morningside on Oct. 6 before making the long journey to Jamestown on Oct. 9.