DES MOINES, Iowa – In its first road test of the 2021 season, the Concordia University Women’s Soccer team came up empty on the attack. A pair of first-half goals sent Grand View University on the way to a 3-0 victory on its home field, Crownie Soccer Complex in Des Moines, Iowa, on Tuesday (Aug. 31) night. The Vikings limited the Bulldogs to just two shots for the entire 90 minutes.
Head Coach Thomas Goines’ squad now stands at 1-1 having defeated Tabor College (Kan.) in the season opener. Grand View has been responsible for Concordia’s two most recent losses.
“We played a fairly uneven match today. Give credit to Grand View,” Goines said. “They gave us a counter-attacking shape that we hadn’t seen, and it’s just tough to break down. They brought a lot of energy with them, and we fell down two goals in the first half. You just can’t do that if you want to compete at a high level. Second half was a much better effort and a much cleaner run of play. I was happy with the fight in the second half. Now we have to get better and move on to the next match.”
Tuesday was a learning experience for a Bulldog team that struggled to mount anything in the attacking third. As for offensive chances, Grace Soenksen put one shot on frame in the 49th minute and Senna McMullen misfired wide left in the 88th minute. In other words, it was an uneventful evening for Viking starting keeper Celenka Hommel.
Grand View goals were delivered by Sammy Milani (19’), Ashlyn Williams (39’) and Grace Bernard (75’). The Vikings (2-1) put up 13 shots, including eight on goal. Bernard was particularly active. She was credited with four shots (three on goal) and assisted the goal by Williams.
For the second game in a row, Kalie “Rocket” Ward got the start in goal for Concordia. This was a much stiffer challenge than what was faced three days earlier versus Tabor College (Kan.). A highlight moment for Ward came shortly after the first goal when she made a diving save to her left. It was one of Ward’s five saves on Tuesday.
Goines has gone with an experienced starting lineup so far. Every player in the starting 11 entered this season having played at least two years of collegiate soccer. Four freshmen saw playing time off the bench on Tuesday.
The Bulldogs will have the next seven days off from game action while they prepare to host No. 25 Benedictine College (Kan.) on Wednesday, Sept. 8. Kickoff from Bulldog Stadium is set for 5:30 p.m. CT.