DES MOINES, Iowa – Playing their second game in three days, the Bulldogs tried to earn a win on the trip in Iowa, but the late push came as the time was running out against Grand View University, 3-1, on Labor Day (Sept. 7). The two teams traded blows in the second half, but the Vikings held on to a lead thwarting many of Concordia University, Nebraska’s final touches. Karlo Rodriguez scored his first career goal in the match.
The men’s soccer team drops to 1-4 overall and 0-2 in the two ranked matchups in Iowa. Concordia has one contest remaining before entering conference play.
“I think we ended up picking it up because, being down 1-0 at halftime,” Head Coach Bernie Ochoa said. “The tactical game plan kind of changes a bit. Obviously, you're looking to tie the game up and play more offensively, but at the same time, you’re trying to keep it defensive and keep the game close. Tactically, you want to pick it up a little bit, be more offensive, and be able to score, finish and tie the game up.”
Down one at the half, the Bulldogs looked to rally, matching the former NAIA national champions shot for shot (6-6) in the last 45 minutes. The Vikings broke through twice more via Lucas Newhard in the 73rd minute and Anthony Ulloa in the 80th.
Less than a minute later, Concordia threw the ball into Milo Hegarty as he kicked the cross inside the box. The pass found Michael Wyvill for a header downward to Rodriguez who punched in the score late in the bout. The sophomore, out of Millard South, found the back of the twine in his third shot this season.
Ochoa continued, “This weekend, both games were kind of a mirror image of the style of play and where we were at. We knew coming into this game that we wanted to give some guys some quality minutes. Karlo came on at the end and definitely gave us a spark and was able to get that late goal. A lot of guys were able to get some minutes, get their feet wet and get that experience, which is what we want moving forward as well. It was great. Again, we battled like we did last game, created opportunities and scored another late one.”
Both squads hit double figures in shots, but the Bulldogs edged out Grand View in corners (5-3) and saves (5-3), while the home team had 14 tries to Concordia’s 10.
Sebastian Montino, an Iowa Western transfer, led the visitors in shots with four. Florian Quast was able to block back four saves in his third consecutive start.
Nineteen Bulldogs saw playing time with Mattis Hollnagel and Joao Pedro Moreira earned their first starts in 2026.
Grand View (1-2-1) relied on Newhard heavily as he was a part of every score with a goal and two assists. It will compete against Baker University (Kan.) in the next match.
Concordia (1-4) will make the shortest trip of the season to take on an undefeated York University (3-0) on Saturday (Sept. 12). The Bulldogs are set to face the Panthers at 4:30 p.m. CT at the York Soccer Complex.