SEWARD, Neb. – Two teams situated in the top four of the current GPAC standings will challenge the Concordia University Women’s Soccer team this week. The Bulldogs will welcome Morningside to Seward on Wednesday and then make the long haul up to North Dakota to play Jamestown on Saturday. Head Coach Thomas Goines’ squad will look to start up a new unbeaten streak after slipping, 1-0, at Dakota Wesleyan over the weekend. Concordia (5-3-2, 2-1-2 GPAC) enters the week in fifth place in the GPAC with seven games remaining in the regular season.
Wednesday, Oct. 6 vs. Morningside (6-2-1, 3-1-1), 5:30 p.m.
--Live Webcast/Stats
Saturday, Oct. 9 at Jamestown (10-0, 5-0), 4 p.m.
--Webcast | Live Stats
It had been nearly a full calendar year since the Bulldogs had endured a loss to a GPAC opponent. After a 3-0 loss at Morningside on Oct. 7, 2020, Concordia went 10-0-4 in its next 14 games against conference foes. The unbeaten string, which included last season’s GPAC tournament title run, was finally interrupted last week by Dakota Wesleyan. The streak had been threatened already this season in draws with Dordt and Northwestern and in the 1-0 victory over Midland on Sept. 29. During the aforementioned streak, the Bulldogs defeated nine rival GPAC programs at least once.
In her return from injury, Cheyenne Smith emerged with the lone goal in the win over Midland. Smith had not played since the season opening win over Tabor College (Kan.). Now in her fourth season in the program, the native of Alpine, Calif., has played a key role for the Bulldogs throughout her career. Smith is a two-time Honorable Mention All-GPAC honoree with the ability to play just about any position on the field. One of the more veteran players on the roster, Smith has tallied seven goals in 60 career collegiate games. Mikeila Martinez (11 goals) is the only active Concordia player with more career goals.
Concordia came away from the trip to Mitchell, S.D., believing it had played well enough to win – it just couldn’t buy a goal. The Bulldogs put 10 shots on goal, including four from Aliyah Aldama. Down 1-0 at the break, Concordia came out of halftime and exercised control (10-3 shot advantage over the final 45 minutes). The Bulldogs just couldn’t break the goal line. Tiger keeper Hannah Trumbull made 10 saves in the process of locking down the clean sheet. It marked the third time Concordia had been shut out this season and first time since Sept. 8 versus nationally ranked Benedictine College (Kan.).
The Bulldogs are hoping to defeat Morningside for the first time since the 2018 GPAC tournament quarterfinals. The Mustangs finished last season tied for second in the GPAC regular season and saw their season end with an upset loss to Midland in the GPAC quarterfinals. So far this fall, Morningside’s lone GPAC loss came against Jamestown. The Mustangs have outscored their opponents by a combined total of 24-11 with the help of top goal scorer Nathalie Larsson (five goals).
The Jimmies have not been beaten since they were edged, 2-1, by Concordia in last season's GPAC tournament championship game. Jamestown is 5-0 in conference play with its closest call being a 2-1 double overtime win at Midland. The Jimmies have been dominant in outscoring their opponents, 35-7, through 10 games. Cassandra Diaz paces the team with nine goals while Kamryn Fiscus has found the back of the net five times (six assists). Concordia and Jamestown have met in the GPAC quarterfinals in each of the past two seasons.
In next week’s action, the Bulldogs will host College of Saint Mary on Oct. 13 and travel to Hastings on Oct. 16.