Kierstynn Garner and Grace Soenksen garnered recognition on the primary 11-person All-Midlands women's soccer team announced on Thursday (Dec. 24) by the Omaha World-Herald. Three Bulldogs were recognized as honorable mention.
Kierstynn Garner and Grace Soenksen garnered recognition on the primary 11-person All-Midlands women's soccer team announced on Thursday (Dec. 24) by the Omaha World-Herald. Three Bulldogs were recognized as honorable mention.
Thirteen Bulldogs represented the Concordia Women's Soccer program on the list of 2022 NAIA Scholar-Athletes. The repeat honorees include Aliyah Aldama, Allee Downing, Ellie Eason, Lina Kirst, Kadyn Lane and Lisa McClain.
There were ups and downs in 2022, but Concordia Women’s Soccer proved it could hang with anyone in the GPAC. The Bulldogs blended seniors and freshmen and put together the longest unbeaten run to begin a season in program history.
For their work in the classroom and on the playing field, seniors Allee Downing and Ellie Eason of the Concordia University Women’s Soccer program have been honored with Academic All-District Team recognition.
Grace Soenksen has capped her collegiate career by earning a third-straight First Team All-GPAC award. She was joined on the 2022 all-conference lists by teammates Kierstynn Garner and Ellie Eason.
A goal in the 85th minute allowed Concordia to force overtime and put second-seeded Briar Cliff in jeopardy of falling victim to a GPAC quarterfinal upset. However, the Chargers responded in OT and ended the Bulldogs' 2022 season.
Thanks to their performances in last week's 2-0 win over Doane, Kierstynn Garner and Kalie Ward have been named GPAC players of the week. Garner notched a goal and an assist in the win and Ward made four saves as part of the shutout.
Three-time GPAC tournament champions as a program, the seventh-seeded Bulldogs will be at No. 2 seed Briar Cliff on Wednesday for the conference quarterfinals. Concordia enters the postseason at 10-5-2 overall.
With the fate of the season at stake, the Bulldogs rose to the occasion and defeated Doane, 2-0, on Wednesday (Oct. 26) while wrapping up the regular season. Kierstynn Garner and Savannah Andrews both found the back of the net.
Postseason hopes are on the line this Wednesday as the Bulldogs will conclude the regular season with a visit from Doane. Currently, Concordia resides in sixth place in the GPAC standings. The program has a 13-year streak of reaching the postseason.
There were ups and downs in 2022, but Concordia Women’s Soccer proved it could hang with anyone in the GPAC. The Bulldogs blended seniors and freshmen and put together the longest unbeaten run to begin a season in program history.
Fresh off a normal spring for the first time since 2019, the Bulldogs are working towards another season of GPAC championship contention. Coach Goines' squad returns a strong nucleus while welcoming an athletic freshman class.
At one point determined to go anywhere but Concordia, Grace Soenksen wound up following in the footsteps of four of her older siblings. She's proven, however, that she is not another Esther. Grace has made her mark in her own way.
The leadership group has begun to be reshaped as the program works on building an identity for the 2022 season. Captains Allee Downing and Grace Soenksen helped lead that process as part of a productive spring for Head Coach Thomas Goines' squad.
Gritty defensive performances and one-goal games were the story in 2021 for the Bulldogs, who competed closely with everyone in the GPAC. Concordia finished 9-7-2 overall while being led by an accomplished senior class.
Just over four months since celebrating a GPAC tournament title, Concordia Women's Soccer is ready to follow it up with a talented 2021 squad. All-GPAC standouts such as Allee Downing, Mikeila Martinez and Grace Soensken return.
Faced with a major life decision, Michaela Twito chose to return to Concordia for a fifth season inside the women's soccer program. Said Twito, "This is my last chance to play competitive soccer with a team I love."
Back in April, Concordia Women's Soccer made a memorable GPAC tournament championship run behind the likes of keeper Lindsey Carley. The Bulldogs finished at 11-6-2 overall.
Factors such as team chemistry, mentality and confidence led the Bulldogs back near the top of the GPAC standings this fall. Concordia will head into the spring believing it can make a run.
After a long wait, many safety protocols and a head coaching change, the 2020 Concordia Women’s Soccer season is right around the corner.
