GPAC Preseason Men’s Soccer Coaches’ Poll
SEWARD, Neb. – The Concordia University Men’s Soccer program aims to get back into the running amongst the top dogs within an improving league. After placing sixth in 2019, the Bulldogs landed fifth in the GPAC Preseason Men’s Soccer Coaches’ Poll released on Thursday (Aug. 27). Concordia was credited with 77 points in the poll.
Head Coach Jason Weides is getting set for his 13th season leading his alma mater. Weides has led the program to great heights – such as a school record 16 wins in 2017 and a GPAC tournament title in 2015. Last season, the Bulldogs went 10-6-2 overall. It marked the ninth-straight season that Concordia has notched at least 10 victories. The ’19 campaign concluded with a loss to eventual national runner up Hastings in the GPAC tournament quarterfinals.
Concordia returns three honorable mention All-GPAC performers in midfielder Renzo Bozzo, forward Moises Jacobo and midfielder Garrett Perry. The Bulldogs bring back eight players who started at least eight games last season. That group includes the three aforementioned names as well as Mauro Figueroa, Caleb Goldsmith, Decker Mattimoe, Carlos Orquiz and Isaiah Shaddick. Concordia outscored its opponents by a combined total of 38-21 in 2019.
Says Weides, “The GPAC has been getting better every year. The depth of the quality teams is improving and those quality teams are competing better at the national stage, more consistently. I think the GPAC is garnering a little bit more respect nationally the last few years. It’s becoming more and more competitive. You have to show up every day in the GPAC if you’re going to get the results.”
2020 GPAC Preseason Men’s Soccer Coaches’ Poll
*First-place votes in parentheses
1. Hastings – 120 (10)
2. Morningside – 105 (2)
3. Briar Cliff – 93
3. Midland – 93
5. Concordia – 77
6. Northwestern – 74
7. Jamestown – 68
8. Mount Marty – 43
9. Dordt – 37
10. Doane – 35
11. Dakota Wesleyan – 29
12. Presentation – 11