SEWARD, Neb. – Concordia University, Nebraska Men’s Soccer claimed its first conference triumph in its shutout (1-0) of Briar Cliff on Saturday (Sept. 27). The Dawgs were a force in the attacking third striking 24 shots at the Chargers yet were just shy of the insurance goal. Nolan Fuelberth claimed his clean sheet with six saves.
CUNE earns a 1-1 GPAC record and a 3-6 showing through the first nine contests.
“We just needed to respond positively,” Head Coach Jason Weides said. "You can’t put too much pressure on yourself. We performed so much better. It was like two different teams from our last performance to this. We had a great week of practice and we wanted to respond like champions. It was a huge step in the right direction. We wanted to get more numbers forward and get our outside backs higher. We did a good job putting them under pressure. We were a bit unlucky or unfortunate that we didn’t convert a second one. We trust if our guys get more chances like that, they are going to put it away.”
The difference tally came as the minutes started to fade in the opening frame. Oliver Balazs rocketed a ball off his foot splitting two defenders and the opposing keeper made a blocking save. Oliver Benson sprinted to the ball for the game-winning header and his first notch of the season. Benson, a Bennington, Neb., native, has scored five goals in his career for Concordia.
“It is a big motivator,” Oliver Benson said. "It motivates this team for what we are hungry for in the GPAC. We come in hungry for every game and make an impact in every moment. Honestly, that’s what is all about. We are ready.”
The offense continued to gnaw on the Charger defense in the second frame with 13 shots fired and 13 total on goal. Pacing the Bulldogs in chances were Ricards Busimeisters (seven), Jasper Hofland (five) and Joe McCarroll (four). Nine different athletes took a shot at the opposing goal.
Hofland, in a different position, made himself dangerous in the attacking third but also was back with the final line and midfielders such as Salde Leicht, Balazs and Hugo Garrote. With the strikers humming, Concordia bested the visitors in corner kicks (8-3) and shots on goal (13-6).
Fuelberth has amassed nine career complete shutouts, and his first this season. The back line helped keep the clean sheet intact with big stops coming from Adraian Wambua, Mike Wyvill, Sean Stratman and Benson.
Briar Cliff (4-4-1, 1-1-1 GPAC) was led by Gabriel Hernandez Les and Angjelos Arapi with two shots on target apiece. The Chargers will take on Midland next Saturday at Faber Field.
Concordia (3-6, 1-1 GPAC) is expected to host Mount Marty (2-2-1, 0-1-1 GPAC) on Wednesday night. The Bulldogs will walk out at 5:30 p.m. CT at Bulldog Stadium.