Men’s soccer takes on Northwestern in Saturday senior day affair
SEWARD, Neb. – The Concordia University men’s soccer team (6-4-3, 2-1-2 GPAC) returns home on Saturday when it hosts senior night. Northwestern will serve as the opponent in a game slated to kickoff at 7:30 p.m. The Bulldogs hope to defend their home turf, where they are 4-1-1 this season and 20-10-1 since the beginning of the 2011 season.
GAME INFO
Northwestern (10-3-1, 4-2) at Concordia (6-4-3, 2-1-2)
Saturday, Oct. 18, 7:30 p.m.
Site: Seward, Neb.
Stadium: Bulldog Stadium
Webcast: Concordia Sports Network
Head coach Jason Weides’ squad enters the weekend coming off a second-straight draw in conference play. The Bulldogs held leads of 1-0 and 2-1 on the strength of goals from juniors Gideon Soenksen and Dean Stevens in Wednesday’s game at Nebraska Wesleyan. However, Concordia settled for the 2-2 draw when the Prairie Wolves equaled in the 89th minute and both teams went scoreless over two overtime periods. The Bulldogs have already played 10 overtime periods this season and are 0-2-3 in five overtime games.
Concordia has lost just once over its last nine games (5-1-3) since losing three in a row early in the season against nonconference opponents. Over that stretch, the Bulldogs have outscored their opponents 20-10 and have recorded three shutouts. On the season, Concordia has scored 23 goals and allowed 15. Among GPAC teams, the Bulldogs rank fourth in goals scored per game (1.77) and second in goals allowed per game (1.15).
On an individual level, Weides’ club has featured a diverse and balanced attack. A trio of players – senior Chris DeFeyter, Soensken and Stevens – lead the team with four goals apiece. Sophomore Julian Amaya has three goals and freshman Toby Down has two. In goal, senior Brendan Buchanan, a two-time GPAC defensive player of the week honoree this season, has played all but one half. He has made 57 saves and sports a 1.11 goals against average and .792 save percentage in more than 1,200 minutes of action.
The Red Raiders, led by head coach Dan Swier, have won three-straight contests and five of their last six. Over its last three games, Northwestern has out-numbered its foes by a combined score of 13-1 with wins over Nebraska Wesleyan (Oct. 4), Mount Marty (Oct. 7) and Dakota Wesleyan (Oct. 10). Its two conference losses have come to then No. 19 Midland and Briar Cliff. The Red Raiders feature prolific goal scorer Ryan Johnson, whose 11 goals are the most among all GPAC players. He has 21 goals since the beginning of the 2013 campaign.
Behind Johnson, Northwestern has scored the second most goals (42) of any conference team. It also ranks fifth in the GPAC with 1.50 goals allowed per game.
Introducing the 2014 Concordia men’s soccer senior class
#1 Brendan Buchanan
-Parents: Mark and Mary Buchanan
-Hometown: Broomfield, Colo.
“I loved every minute of it. Whether it was practice, bus rides or games, it was always a good time being with my brothers as a part of the soccer family.”
#14 Chris DeFeyter
-Parents: Robert and Patty DeFeyter
-Hometown: Scottsdale, Ariz.
“My four years have been a great here. One thing I have learned is to accept and move on. There have been great times with friends and always amazing times with my brothers. There have been good and bad situations but time will heal all. It’s been an awesome experience and will miss every day of it.”
#7 Rajan Kooner
-Parents: Rajwant and Papinder Kooner
-Hometown: Surrey, Canada
“I felt right at home at Concordia immediately after I transferred here. I look at this team as a massive family who I'd put everything on the line for. This Hindu loves you all loads and I'll cherish all these moments for the rest of my life.”
#3 Daniel Moore
-Parents: Don and Toni Moore
-Hometown: Fruita, Colo.
“In my time here as a student-athlete at Concordia, I have met people here that I will never forget. I know I can look back and know that the teachers and coaches who have helped me succeed also helped me become a better man. Being part of the soccer team I have gained a family, but more importantly I gained brothers that share the same love for a sport that I do. I appreciate all of what Concordia has given and taught me these past four years.”