Seward, Neb. – The Bulldogs will host familiar KCAC opponents starting with York University (Aug. 30) and Tabor College (Kan.) on Saturday (Sept. 2). CUNE women’s soccer had a great opening week with wins over Kansas Wesleyan University (4-1) and Graceland University (2-1). Concordia wants to keep growing from week one and the following two opponents will present different challenges for the Bulldogs. York and Tabor have become common opponents for the Bulldogs since early 2006 for the Panthers and late 2010’s for the Bluejays.
This Week
Wednesday, Aug. 30 vs. York (0-1), 8 p.m.
--Live Webcast | Live Stats | Location: Bulldog Stadium
Saturday, Sept. 2 vs. Tabor (0-1), 8 p.m.
--Live Webcast | Live Stats | Location: Bulldog Stadium
By the numbers
· Concordia came out and scored early against Kansas Wesleyan by way of Savannah Andrews who added her first mulit-goal performance of her career. Her goals were in the fourth minute and the 61st minute. The game was out of hand for the Coyotes after Elena Ruiz (16’)and Kierstynn Garner (63’) scored putting the game away early in the second half. Two seniors (Hannah Haas and Grace Soenksen) and a freshman (Sadie Mares) added an assist each on the match. The Bulldogs doubled the Coyotes in shots (12-6) and tripled them in corner kicks taken (6-2). Ore had two saves in her first start of the 2023 season. The Bulldogs dominated the ball and capitalized on their chances with a big game from their massive and potent sophomore class.
· The Bulldogs took more time against the Yellow Jackets to be able to put the ball between the posts as a much improved Yellow Jacket squad rolled into Seward. Andrews once again looking comfortable with the ball between her feet kicked a strike from the top of the penalty area into the top left corner to give the Bulldogs the lead in the first half. An equalizer was had by Graceland in the 69’ to give them confidence but Kierstynn Garner had no part of a comeback kicking in a bender past the keeper less than a minute later. The Bulldogs started a different keeper in Angela Banks who had four saves on the day as Haas, a junior, kept her assists streak going to two games as she had previously no assists before this year. Concordia had the advantage on shots, 14-6 and corner kicks, 6-0.
· Benny Hanaphy is now the co-head coach of the Panthers women’s soccer team. A connection to Concordia as he was an assistant coach for the men’s soccer program (2011-2013 seasons), while getting his Masters in Education. He was under current head coach Jason Weides helping post overall records of 11-5-3, 11-8, and 10-9 during his three seasons with the Bulldogs. Hanaphy played soccer for the York men’s program from 2005-2008. While playing at York, Benny was named All-Conference all four seasons, with an NAIA All-American honorable mention his sophomore year.
· Ore and Banks sharing the time between the posts so far this season. Bradi has been in six games and started in two so far in her career at Concordia. She didn’t allow any goals in five games she played in last season and has only allowed one so far this year. She has totaled seven saves on her career and in 220 minutes of time. Angela started in three games and played in five totaling 295 minutes throughout her career at Concordia. She has tallied 10 saves while allowing four goals through her time. Both of these keepers have garnered playing time and we will see what comes of the future for the Bulldog goalkeepers to give them the best chance at winning games for coach Smith.
York
The Panthers went 1-15-1 in their 2022 season going 0-3-1 against the GPAC last season not to add on a loss from now GPAC affiliate member Waldorf (Iowa). York and Concordia have played fifteen matches in history dating back to 2006 and the Bulldogs are undefeated 15-0. They scored four goals to their opponents 45 last year and gave up an average of seven more shots a game than their opponents. A bright spot was their shots on goal percentage was higher than their 17 opponents and their goals were all by a different Panther. They retained two of those players, Riley Gilbert and Nora Martin-Mora. York is 0-1 so far this season but gave a much improved effort losing a nailbiter (0-1) to common GPAC foe Midland who was picked ahead of Concordia in the preseason poll. While they still lacked offensive firepower only getting off two shots in the match, they clamped down defensively enough to give themselves a shot to win the match against a top-tier GPAC opponent. The Panthers added new talent with five freshmen starting in their first match in Harumi Cornejo, Rieke Wolff, Gracie Reynolds, Sofia Villa Monterd, and Celia Agudo Rezusta.
Tabor
The Bluejays went 7-8-4 last season and went 0-2 against the GPAC last year including matches against Hastings and Concordia. The Bulldogs won in a low scoring contest (1-0) and this matchup has had four games where three were decided by one goal giving the historic advantage to CUNE (3-1). The lone goal from the most recent matchup was kicked by returning sophomore Elena Ruiz. Tabor returns Payton Eskridge their double digit leader in goal scoring and assists with 10 apiece. The second and third leaders in goal scoring return as well in Jami Dooley (6), April Ochoa (5) and Marie Seeger. These three also combined for 15 assists from 2022. The Bluejays have only played in one match so far in their young 2023 season against Bellevue University. Bellevue, who received preseason votes, won over Tabor 4-0 in the season opener. Others big returners are Ashly Johnson, Stepahanie Torres, Kyler Duham, and Kylee Bush.
Next Week
The Bulldogs will stay at home to host a match versus a Heart of America Conference opponent on Sept. 9. The match is listed below and will be played at Bulldog Stadium in Seward.
Saturday, Sept. 9
3:00 p.m. – vs. Benedictine