Bulldogs push GPAC leading Jimmies

By Jacob Knabel on Oct. 8, 2022 in Women's Soccer

SEWARD, Neb. – As lessons are learned throughout GPAC play, the Concordia University Women’s Soccer team is proving it can hang with the top teams in the league. In a contest with limited scoring chances, the Bulldogs were edged by conference leading Jamestown, 1-0, inside Bulldog Stadium on Saturday (Oct. 8). The lone goal on either side came from Aubree Gessel in the 14th minute. The Jimmies saw out the win by holding Concordia to five shots.

Head Coach Thomas Goines’ squad fell at home for the first time this season. The Bulldogs have dipped below .500 in league play at 2-3-2 (7-3-2 overall).

“Jamestown’s a very talented team,” Goines said. “There’s a reason whey they’re undefeated over the last year-and-a-half in conference play. They’re very athletic and organized. You know it’s going to be a challenge when you play them and the girls stepped up to it. We gave up a bit of a soft goal in the first half and then responded and competed the rest of the way. You’re not going to get a lot of chances because of how they press and how they possess.”

Concordia has been right there in every game it’s played this season. In Saturday evening’s clash, the Bulldogs stuck right with a Jimmie squad that has not lost in GPAC regular season play since the 2020 campaign. The gritty Concordia effort resulted in Jamestown putting only four shots on frame, three of which were saved by keeper Kalie Ward.

Though it found the back of the net only once, Jamestown (8-4-1, 7-0 GPAC) appeared clam and collected. The Jimmies have surrendered only two goals during conference play and rarely allowed the Bulldogs to get into any type of dangerous position. The visitors from North Dakota got their goal when Amber Somera volleyed a cross into the box and found Gessel for the skillfully played header.

Goines wasn’t displeased with the effort. The Concordia back line anchored by center back Grace Soenksen did its part. The Bulldogs simply ran into a talented opponent.

Said Goines, “We’ve played a good brand of soccer as far as our speed of play and energy on defense – and in possession and creating chances. We’ve been able to do things this year we hadn’t the past two years. We can do better at finding the frame consistently, but you can’t ask for much more growth than we’ve had.”

The Bulldogs will be on the road for a short trek to Omaha to take on College of Saint Mary (7-4-1, 4-2 GPAC) at 3 p.m. CT on Wednesday. In last season’s meeting in Seward, Concordia earned a 1-0 decision behind a goal from Mikeila Martinez. The Flames had this weekend off following their 4-1 loss at Briar Cliff on Wednesday.