Bulldogs look to extend GPAC streak in first full week of conference action

By Jacob Knabel on Sep. 20, 2021 in Women's Soccer

SEWARD, Neb. – Concordia University Women’s Soccer looks to build upon a confidence-boosting week as GPAC action heats up. In last week’s contests, the Bulldogs wrapped up nonconference play while beginning the GPAC season. The results were a 2-1 double overtime win at Bellevue University and a 7-0 home blowout of Mount Marty. Head Coach Thomas Goines’ squad has won three-straight games as it prepares to host Dordt and then travel to Northwestern.

This Week

Wednesday, Sept. 22 vs. Dordt (5-3, 0-2), 5:30 p.m.
--Live Webcast/Stats

Saturday, Sept. 25 at Northwestern (3-5, 0-2), 1 p.m.
--Webcast | Live Stats

The result against Mount Marty was a continuation of the conference success the Bulldogs (4-2, 1-0 GPAC) enjoyed last season. Including this past spring’s GPAC tournament title run, Concordia owns an 11-game unbeaten streak (9-0-2) against conference foes. A GPAC opponent has not defeated the Bulldogs since they dropped back-to-back games to Dakota Wesleyan and Morningside in early October 2020. In last spring’s GPAC championship game, Concordia defeated Jamestown, 2-1. The Jimmies are currently rated as the GPAC’s top team.

In the win over Mount Marty, Michaela Twito appeared in her 85th career game with the Bulldogs. That number made her the program’s new record holder, placing her above Jeannelle Condame and Esther Soenksen, who both played in 84 games. Two others played in at least 80 games in their Concordia careers: Maria Deeter (81) and Jordan McCoy (80). Twito had played in 79 games before making the decision to return to the program for a fifth year. She helped the Bulldogs win the GPAC regular season title in 2017 and the GPAC tournament title in 2020

No one on the active roster had ever beaten Bellevue, a perennially strong program. Concordia entered last week’s matchup with an all-time record of 2-12 versus the Bruins. This time around, the Bulldogs celebrated when Lina Kirst tapped in the golden goal in the 102nd minute. Kirst earned credit for game-winning goals in both of last week’s matches. Additional goals in the win over Mount Marty were produced by Aliyah Aldama (14’), Lisa McClain (25’; 28’), Senna McMullen (44’) and Madeline Haugen (45’). In addition, Mikeila Martinez tallied two assists.

Concordia topped Dordt, 1-0, last season in Sioux Center, Iowa. The Defenders were rolling along early this season at 5-1 overall until losses in their past two outings – 3-2 at Briar Cliff and 3-1 versus College of Saint Mary. During a four-game win streak that preceded those defeats, Dordt outscored its opponents by a combined total of 13-1. The Bulldogs will want to keep tabs on Avril Baccam, who has already put away nine goals.

Northwestern fell in Seward, 2-0, last September and wound up missing the GPAC tournament. The Red Raiders began conference play last week with losses to College of Saint Mary, 3-2, and Briar Cliff, 3-0. Northwestern has been outscored by a collective total of 17-7 so far this season. The program has a new head coach in Shannon Andringa, a former player for an NAIA national championship team at Spring Arbor University.

Coming up next week, Concordia will host Midland on Wednesday, Sept. 29 and then make a trip to Dakota Wesleyan on Saturday, Oct. 2.