MITCHELL, S.D. – Elena Ruiz plunged a dagger in the back of the net in the second half for the eventual contest winner over Dakota Wesleyan on Saturday night (Oct. 18). In the battle of complete opposite play styles, the dangerous Bulldog offense found the go-ahead score in the 69th minute against a stingy Tiger defensive third. It would be enough as Concordia University, Nebraska Women’s Soccer took the 1-0 victory.
The Seward side has won four in a row totaling an 11-1-4 overall record and a 6-1-2 GPAC showing.
“At this point of the year, getting a result is important,” Head Coach Nick Smith said. “Dakota Wesleyan has gotten some results against tough teams this year. They defend really well. We did enough in the second half where we had earned a goal. I’m pleased with that. They are really organized. They have some athletic bodies back there that do a lot of work for them. They set themselves up to play a counter game. They cause teams to have a difficult time to score goals against.”
The battle was known from the outset as the conference’s most prolific offense was visiting a Dakota Wesleyan squad that had allowed less than one goal per game (0.75) in their previous 12 matchups.
In a second half corner kick, Kierstynn Garner soared in a rainbow to Evie Keller, pushed it toward the goal as Taylor Slaymaker battled for the ball, and kicked it back toward the net. Elena Ruiz stepped up and crushed the score past a Dakota Wesleyan defender in the top left corner. Ruiz, an Omaha South High alum, tallied her ninth goal of her career.
The offense continued to spray the opposing goal with 18 total shots to the Tigers’ nine. Garner matched the DWU total chances (nine) all on her own but was unfamiliarly unable to find the final touch. Abby Haynes was second for the Bulldogs in shots (four) hitting the cross bar late, looking for her second season tally. Five others made up the shots on the score sheet including Niah Kirchner, Savannah Andrews, Kyana Rios, Ruiz and Guadalupe Sanchez.
The midfield and back line did much work in holding and controlling possession as Concordia dominated on-the-ball minutes. Ruiz, Kirchner and Evie Keller were in control of the ball and Triniti Rowe was a consistent presence to help preserve the clean sheet. Combined, the two levels of defense held the Tigers to one shot on goal and high offensive shot taker Hannah Petrucci to only one chance.
Keeper Aliya Vidro collected one save and her third shutout of 2025.
Dakota Wesleyan was led on offense by Noelie Prat and Esmeralda Guzmán with both taking two shots. Goalie Abigail Colgrove was pivotal in defense of the contest not being lopsided with six saves in the net. The Tigers will face Briar Cliff on Wednesday, up next.
Concordia (11-1-4, 6-1-2 GPAC) will have next Wednesday off before hosting Dordt (7-5-2, 6-2-1 GPAC) on Saturday (Oct. 25). The Bulldogs will take the field at 3:30 p.m. CT in Seward, Neb.