SIOUX CENTER, Iowa – The Concordia University women’s soccer team came within an eyelash of a 3-0 start within conference play but settle for a 2-2 double overtime draw on Saturday (Sept. 28) afternoon at Dordt. The Bulldogs twice let one-goal leads slip away. Freshmen Jaiden Beecher and Kaley Heinz supplied the goals for Concordia.
Head coach Chris Luther’s squad had previously earned GPAC victories over Presentation and Northwestern. The Bulldogs are 2-6-1 overall and 2-0-1 in conference action.
“We felt like we had our share of possession,” Luther said. “Dordt attacked really quickly out of their wings and did a good job capitalizing on their opportunities. We had some chances to put the game away a couple different times. We just missed them. We’ve got (Morgan) Raska and Beecher on the wings really moving well. We felt really positive about our attack today. We just have to shore up our defense.”
Beecher found the back of the net in the 11th minute, marking the second game in a row that the Omaha native has gotten on the board. After Dordt equalized in the 36th minute, Heinz answered in the 44th. It was the first career goal for Heinz, who also hails from Omaha. Concordia maintained a 2-1 lead all the way up until the 85th minute.
The Defenders (6-3-1, 3-0-1 GPAC) began conference play with wins over Presentation, Dakota Wesleyan and Doane. At least on the stat sheet, Saturday’s matchup was even beyond just the scoreboard. Both teams fired off 15 shots. Dordt put one more (7-6) on frame than the Bulldogs did.
Luther went on to laud goalkeeper Lindsey Carley for helping the Bulldogs at least walk away with one point towards the GPAC standings. Carley made five saves, including one in the first overtime period.
The increase in offensive firepower in recent outings has been a welcome sight. Said Luther, “I really feel Jaiden has stepped it up the last couple games. She’s been attacking well and really doing the things we’re asking her to do. It’s paying off for her.”
The Bulldogs will take another mid-week bye before returning to action next Saturday (Oct. 5) when Mount Marty (2-2, 1-2 GPAC) makes a visit to Seward. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. CT from Bulldog Stadium. Concordia trounced the Lancers, 12-0, in Yankton, S.D., in last season’s meeting.