SIOUX CENTER, Iowa – The dangerous Abby Haynes came in clutch in the final third notching a goal and assist in the defeat of Dordt (3-1) in the GPAC opener on Saturday (Sept. 19). The Bulldogs relentlessly put the pressure on with three different finishers, two of which were first career goals from Addie Snyder and Kiana Perez.
Concordia University, Nebraska Women’s Soccer is on a roll going unbeaten in the last four games to force an even overall record (2-2-2) starting the conference with a win (1-0).
“Honestly, it was a good performance overall for us,” Head Coach Jason Weides said. “Some of the things that we focused on were being a little bit better in some 1-v-1 situations, especially in wide areas, and we took a step forward in those. Early in the season, we were just giving up possession too cheaply, and now we’re protecting the ball, hiding it better, and making simpler decisions in attacking transition. Ultimately, we’re getting into the attacking third more. Once we do, we’re a little bit more threatening, with some connected ideas, and scored some goals today.”
Haynes made life difficult for the Defenders running down passes from her teammates to take strikes in multiple final possessions. In the opening minutes, the Columbus, Neb., native fired a potential score that was saved by Dordt goalkeeper Lizzie Graham. Snyder sprinted toward the punch out to beat another defender, burying her first goal for the Dawgs.
Later in the half, the ultra-talented Perez worked to find just enough space to get a shot off from outside the penalty box. In the 37th minute, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln transfer booted a left footed take from the far side to the opposite low post to give Concordia the eventual game winner.
Haynes put on the finishing touches in the second half with a nutmeg goal after a perfect touch pass from Molli Kalsbeck to split the opposition. With the finish, the Columbus High alum scored her third career goal.
Haynes and Perez led the offensive onslaught with a game high four shots apiece (three on goal each). Concordia doubled Dordt in offensive takes (14-7) with Guadalupe Sanchez and Snyder firing two as well.
Weides continued, “KP (Perez) and Abby certainly were a handful today. Abby is really starting to come into her own on the wing and is really starting to become a little bit more dangerous 1-v-1. It was fun to see her excel a little bit and have some good opportunities because she can be a really threatening player for us.”
The Defenders (1-3-2, 0-1 GPAC) garnered a score in the final minute by Lexi Terpstra. Joslyn Vander Molen paced the home squad in shots and Graham made life difficult with five saves.
The Bulldogs (2-2-2, 1-0 GPAC) will stay in-state on their next road trip facing Doane (0-6-1, 0-1 GPAC) in Crete, Neb. Concordia will take the field at 5 p.m. CT on Wednesday (Sept. 23). The Seward side defeated the Tigers, 2-1, in 2025.