SEWARD, Neb. – In mirroring where it finished in 2021, the Concordia University Women’s Soccer program has been picked sixth in the 2022 GPAC Women’s Soccer Preseason Coaches’ Poll, released on Monday (Aug. 15) by the conference office. Head Coach Thomas Goines’ squad collected 96 points in the league poll. Nationally, both Jamestown and Briar Cliff represented the GPAC while receiving votes in the NAIA preseason coaches’ poll unveiled on Aug. 10.
The Bulldogs completed the 2021 season at 9-7-2 overall and at 6-4-2 in league play. Concordia saw the season conclude with a 1-0 GPAC tournament quarterfinal defeat at Hastings. Goines led the Bulldogs to a GPAC tournament title as recently as the 2020 season (tournament played in the spring of 2021).
Said Goines, “We’re bringing in 12 freshmen this year so it’s a big incoming class. When you return basically your entire back line, it’s going to be a combination of youth and experience. We’re going to have some freshmen who are going to challenge for time, especially when it comes to finding players who can put the ball in the back of the net. We’ve also added some depth in the midfield.”
Concordia brings back three players who earned All-GPAC honors last season: Grace Soenksen (first team), Allee Downing (honorable mention) and Kalie Ward (goalkeeper). The most significant personnel losses will be felt in the midfield, where the Bulldogs will have a new look in 2022. Soenksen is a team anchor as a two-time first team all-conference award winner.
The 2022 season will officially get started inside Bulldog Stadium as Concordia looks forward to hosting Southwestern College (Kan.) at 1 p.m. CT on Saturday, Aug. 27. The regular season slate includes five nonconference outings and 12 GPAC matchups.
2022 GPAC Women’s Soccer Preseason Coaches’ Poll
-First-place votes in parentheses
1. Jamestown – 143 (11)
2. Briar Cliff – 133 (2)
3. Hastings – 108
4. Morningside – 106
5. Midland – 105
6. Concordia – 96
7. Dordt – 80
8. College of Saint Mary – 64
9. Dakota Wesleyan – 56
10. Northwestern – 52
11. Doane – 30
12. Presentation – 28
13. Mount Marty – 13