SEWARD, Neb. – The electric Hugo Garrote struck the match that would fire off a celebration in front of Bulldog nation after his golden goal free kick ended the GPAC quarterfinal bout (1-0) versus Hastings on Saturday (Nov. 1). The overtime triumph took 94 minutes as both teams ended regulation without finding the back of the net, but the junior out of Jerez De La Frontera, Spain, seized his first game winner in Bulldog blue.
Head Coach Jason Weides and company defeated Hastings twice in the same year for the first time in the program’s history and climbs another rung to a 10-8 record. The No. 3 seed Bulldogs are the highest seed remaining after the first round of play.
“It was relief and joy for the guys,” Coach Weides said. “There is no better feeling than a golden goal when you win and there is probably no harsher thing when you conceded it. It was an incredible game. Either team could have won it. We were fortunate to put away a free kick and it was a great free kick. We are getting closer to the team we thought we could be all season. It was nice today to give our best and be on the good side of it.”
After a foul 10 yards out of the penalty area, Garrote kicked a swirling bender into the top left corner leaving the Hastings keeper and the visiting side seemingly stunned. The second year Monroe College transfer ran to the Concordia fans in excitement of the contest-ending drive. The midfielder scored his third goal of the season and the fourth in his two years.
“It was the best feeling ever,” Garrote said. “Honestly, I practice for that. I went with confidence and it went in, thankfully. I thought it was a good chance to finish the game there. I took a deep breath, I saw the keeper on the right, and said I’m going to go left. It went in and we won.”
| THERE...IT...IS!!!
— Concordia Bulldogs (@cunebulldogs) November 2, 2025
Hugo Garrote ends the GPAC quarterfinal with a set piece golden goal in the 94th minute! @CUNEMSOC will host the semifinal versus Briar Cliff on Friday after the 1-0 triumph over Hastings. pic.twitter.com/awSHUCHj74
Bulldog goalie Inigo Chavarria pitched a shutout and took away four potential shots on target. The guardian of the net has four clean sheets in his 852 minutes played. The back line including the likes of Adrian Wambua, Mike Wyvill, Mattis Hollnagel and Slade Leicht were stout playing bend but don’t break defense giving the talented Broncos minimal quality chances.
On the offensive end, the attack became stronger as the minutes passed and was lead by Garrote, Cleme Suarez and Ricards Busmeisters with three shots taken apiece. Connor Robbins and Kai Olbrich added to the offensive presence to keep the visitors on their toes with 13 total shots (six on goal).
Showing a nose for the ball, the heart of the lineup continued to gain possession and push the ball forward including Oliver Balazs, Garrote, Joe McCarroll and Sam Hamilton.
The Bulldogs held offensive powerhouse Tim Berger to only two shots with zero on goal. The Hastings keeper Till Oppermann collected five saves.
With the wild start to the GPAC tournament, Concordia (10-8) will host No. 7 seed Briar Cliff (8-7-3) on Friday (Nov. 7). The kick start time is set for 2 p.m. CT at Bulldog Stadium.