SEWARD, Neb. – The Bulldogs look ahead to battle two more non-conference opponents traveling to Benedictine College (Kan.) and return to Bulldog Stadium for an early senior day celebration versus Central Christian College (Kan.). Concordia University, Nebraska Men’s Soccer has continued to improve with each game but still seeks its first win of the season after starting 0-3 in 2025.
This Week
Wednesday, Sept. 3 at Benedictine (2-0-1), 7:30 p.m.
--Live Webcast | Live Stats | Location: Legacy Field (Atchison, Kan.)
Saturday, Sept. 6 vs. Central Christian (0-2-1), 12 p.m.
--Live Webcast | Live Stats | Location: Bulldog Stadium (Seward, Neb.)
With two more contests played, the Bulldogs totaled 19 shots with the majority (13) coming from an improved performance (2-1) versus Missouri Baptist University on Saturday. After opening strong, Concordia found itself down in the second half but received a penalty in the 78th minute. Forward Kai Olbrich put the ball on target in the bottom right corner and brought the Dawgs within one. In a game where CUNE maintained a majority of possession, the visitors on Spartan Field were unable to find an equalizer. Goalkeeper Nolan Fuelberth collected five saves and Milo Hegarty led in shots with three.
The back line and goalkeeper Inigo Chavarria were challenged heavily versus William Woods University (Mo.) as the team receiving votes shot 20 times in the contest. Falling 2-0, the Bulldogs were led in shots by Hugo Garrote (two), Cleme Suarez, Mike Wyvill, Hegarty, and Karlo Rodriguez. Transfer Chavarria totaled six saves in his debut between the posts.
Averaging 8.3 shots per 90 minutes, Concordia is led by Hegarty (five), Garrote (four), Niko Nareike (two), Slade Leicht (two) and 12 other players have one, spreading the ball around in the attacking half. The Seward side has a .320 shot on goal percentage and 25 total in three contests.
The Dawgs entered 24 total players and 13 new additions through three games. The fresh face list includes the likes of Hegarty, Niko Nareike, Rodriguez, Sam Hamilton, Brody Haynie, Cleme Suarez, Jasper Hofland, Noah Rakowsky Joe McCarroll, Chavarria, Ricards Busmeisters, 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 Ravens and Dawgs have been pitted against each other for the past two years with each team tasting a victory and a defeat. In 2023, Concordia defeated Benedictine in a 1-0 bout that was won with a Victor Meneses penalty kick to seal the triumph. In 2024, the Ravens stole a match on the road via a Kody Argaez score in the 58th minute. The Ravens lead the series (5-2) since 2007, splitting the last four meetings. Concordia and Central Christian haven't played since 2012 when the Dawgs took a 2-0 shutout over the Tigers. Jake Sells kick in a rebound goal beside the right post and Nathan Douglas booted in the insurance tally as both came in the second half.
The Massey Ratings have the Bulldogs rated 92nd after the start of the year. With a strength of schedule at 31st in the country, Concordia will continue to go higher as the Ravens are currently rated 26th and have a schedule position of 65. The Tigers sit at 163rd in ratings and 172nd in the strength of their slate. Other GPAC teams are rated in order: Midland (30), Northwestern (54), Briar Cliff (61), Morningside (66), and Hastings (74).
Eight seniors will be honored at Bulldog Stadium on Saturday. The seniors include Santiago Abadia, Caleb Babisak, Oliver Benson, Inigo Chavarria, Lance Kiango, Slade Leicht, Kondwani Mtawali and Adrian Wambua. The class achievements include winning the GPAC tournament championship in 2022 and an unbeaten regular season in 2023 (13-0-4). They have a record of 36-10-16 through a little over three years played. Finishing second in two of the three campaigns, the seniors have never finished lower than third in the conference standings.
Benedictine
The Ravens have earned a 2-0-1 record early in 2025 defeating Friends University (Kan.), 3-1, in the season opener. Benedictine tied No. 17 Mid-America Christian University (Kan.), 0-0, and bested Williams Baptist University (Ark.), 1-0. Scoring four goals in the first three games, Argaez leads with a goal and an assist. The other three were scored by Zachary Pedersen, Feliipe Vargas and Fabian Viquez. The Ravens average 11 shots per game and 14 total have been on goal. Allowing one goal, the two keepers have split time early with Payton Travis (180) and Hernan Burdiles protecting the net. A Heart of America Conference member, Benedictine bowed out of the quarterfinals last season in the conference tournament. John Sosa is going into his seventh season as head coach.
Central Christian
The Tigers are 0-2-1 to begin the 2025 campaign after tying Sterling College (Kan.),1-1, in the season opener and falling to Southwestern College (Kan.), 3-2, and Briar Cliff, 4-2. Central Christian will face Kansas Wesleyan University before coming to Seward on Saturday. Head Coach Cody Bartlow enters his second year at the helm and is now director of soccer operations for CCC. Sidney Tippner paces the offense with two of the team’s five goals and Boston Peterson has a score and an assist. The Tigers have given up eight tallies to opposing offenses with Timothy Foster and Nawjot Bhandal splitting time in goal.
Next Week
Concordia will skip over to Bellevue University next. The Bulldogs will be competing at Renner Dennis Outdoor Athletic Complex, then return to Bulldog Stadium a week later.
Wednesday, Sept. 10
7:45 p.m. – at Bellevue