Men’s soccer welcomes Morningside Saturday to begin GPAC home slate

SEWARD, Neb. – The Bulldogs will look to extend their four-game unbeaten streak when they entertain Morningside (3-6, 0-1) at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday. Seventh-year head coach Jason Weides’ squad hopes to complete a perfect week at home. On Wednesday Concordia picked up its third shutout of the season and won 1-0 over Waldorf College (Iowa) on the strength of Sean Doran’s 55th-minute goal.

GAME INFO
Morningside (3-6, 0-1 GPAC) at Concordia (4-3-1, 1-0 GPAC)
Saturday, Sept. 27, 1:30 p.m.
Site: Seward, Neb.
Stadium: Bulldog Stadium
Webcast: Concordia Sports Network 

Over the past four games, the Bulldogs are 3-0-1 and have outscored their opponents 9-3. Included in the run were wins over Sterling College (4-1), Mount Marty (4-2) and Waldorf (1-0) and a draw with Friends University (0-0). All three losses have come by a margin of just a single goal. In major statistical categories, Concordia ranks second in the GPAC in fewest goals allowed per game (1.0), third in shots on goal per game (6.88) and saves per game (5.25), fourth in assists per game (1.0) and shots per game (13.63) and fifth in goals scored per game (1.5).

The Bulldogs’ 12 goals have come from eight different players. Gideon Soenksen and Dean Stevens are tied for the most goals with three apiece. Soenksen tops the Bulldogs with nine points and three assists. Senior goalkeeper Brendan Buchanan ranks 20th among all NAIA players with 42 saves on the season. He’s also 35th with 5.25 saves per game. He has played every minute in goal and now has three shutouts this season and seven for his career. His results have been bolstered by steady defensive play from the likes of Mark Campbell and holding midfielder Marcos Leon.

Through nine games, Morningside has been outscored by a combined total of 20-8. The Mustangs own wins over Cornerstone (Mich.), 1-0, Viterbo (Wis.), 3-1, and Ottawa (Kan.), 1-0. Those three victories came in succession from Sept. 5-13. Head coach Tom Maxon’s club opened up conference play with a 5-1 loss to GPAC power Hastings on Sept. 21.

Seven of the team’s eight goals have come from the combination of Joao De Camargo Soares (4) and Forrest Maxon (3). Soares and Maxon are the top offensive weapons for a squad that has taken the fewest shots per game (7.44) of any GPAC member. Mustang opponents hold a 167-67 combined advantage in shots.

Last season Concordia overwhelmed Morningside, 5-1, in a game played in Sioux City, Iowa, on Sept.  29. The Bulldogs got two goals from Chris DeFeyter and one apiece from Nathan Douglas, Marcos Leon and Dean Stevens. Morningside was held scoreless until an 89th-minute goal.