SEWARD, Neb. – Concordia University, Nebraska Women's Soccer bulldozed No. 7 seed College of Saint Mary (3-0) on Tuesday night (Nov. 4). After going down a score in their past two matchups, the Bulldogs blitzed hot out of the gate scoring two in the first six minutes, putting the game to bed early over the Flames. The home blues stayed on the attack with 17 total shots to the visitors' five.
No. 2 seed CUNE (13-1-5) moves on to host the GPAC semifinals for the third consecutive time under Head Coach Nick Smith.
"A focus of ours since the last two games have been the start," Coach Smith said. "The challenge for us tonight was when chances arose tonight, could we execute. Fortunately, we get two chances inside six minutes. It set the pace for the evening for us."
In the 3rd minute, Savannah Andrews lofted a chip pass to Kierstynn Garner as four defenders converged on the elite goal scorer. Garner delt a smooth assist to Evie Keller and the midfielder smashed the game opening goal into the net just under the crossbar. The Grand Island Northwest alum notched her first score of the season and has five points in her freshman campaign.
Said Smith, "It's a huge goal for her so I can stop giving her crap. I mean she has done everything but score all season long. We know that she has goals in her. The goal she scores tonight is a wonderstrike. It was a really good finish. So, hopefully that is a domino goal for her. It is really a reflection of where Keller has been with us all season long."
Less than three minutes later, Elena Ruiz split two defenders just outside the box and found the pink boots of Andrews crushing the one-touch rope into the far top corner. With the tally, the senior Andrews piled up her 30th career goal.
After the halftime break, Taylor Slaymaker tapped in her third goal of the season and gave the Bulldogs even more insurance in the second frame. Garner added another assist to her belt totaling 12 in 2025.
Aliya Vidro garnered three saves and completed the clean sheet with the back line being steady including Slaymaker, Hannah Kile, Triniti Rowe, Shelby Rugg and Sadie Mares. Vidro now has four complete shutouts.
Midfielders kept possession the majority of the match with the likes of Niah Kirchner, Keller, Ruiz and Charli Preister and 9-1 in corner kicks taken.
Ella Klusman (three) and Jimena Estrada Gomez (two) led CSM in shots taken but were unable to get the chances to fall. The Flames end 2025 with a 6-12-1 record.
Concordia (13-1-5) will take on No. 3 seed Hastings (13-3-3) on Saturday. The Bulldogs will take the field at 6 p.m. in Seward.