LAMONI, Iowa – A first half of offensive fireworks lit up a path to the first 3-0 start for Concordia University Women’s Soccer since the 2017 season. Five of the seven goals scored on Tuesday (Sept. 6) evening came in the first 45 minutes in a contest that concluded with a 5-2 Bulldog victory at Graceland University, located in Lamoni, Iowa. Kearney High School alum Kierstynn Garner found the back of the net twice as one of four Concordia goal scorers.
Head Coach Thomas Goines’ squad won twice to begin the season over Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference opponents. Now the Bulldogs are in the midst of playing two matches this week versus Heart of America Athletic Conference foes.
“This year’s team is different from last year’s. We’ve found a little more on the offensive side,” Goines said. “It’s a nice balance and it’s nice to see some goals going in early. We want to continue to grow that maturity. We talked to them about it at halftime and after the game – just stay mature in your play. We just have to keep applying pressure and our time (to score goals) will come. In the first half we lost a little focus and then in the second half we stayed focused on what we were looking to do.”
This was as productive as Concordia has been on the attack in some time. The Bulldogs took 30 shots on Tuesday (20 on goal), far surpassing the 11.3 shots per game they averaged during the 2021 season. The likes of Garner, Aliyah Aldama and Elena Ruiz put the Yellowjackets on their heels. When Graceland did manage to pull within a goal (3-2), Concordia eventually responded with an 82nd minute goal from Lina Kirst (assisted by Aldama) and an 86th minute goal from Garner.
The game’s goal scoring line is reflective of a team mixing in both young and old into the lineup. The latest starting 11 featured six academic seniors and five freshmen. The chemistry appears to be working. Even the defensive miscues that occurred on Tuesday seem easily fixable in the eyes of Goines. There’s a lot of confidence in a back line including such veterans as Grace Soenksen and Allee Downing.
“Our younger players are learning what the college game is and certainly improving,” Goines said. “The blending of those players is nice to see. You’re starting to see some combinations from players who have only been playing with each other for a month. I’m happy that the group as a whole is coming together. We’re probably the deepest we’ve ever been. I’m excited to see what we can do moving forward.”
Less than 15 minutes into action in Lamoni, a goal apiece by Aldama and Ruiz (second of the year for both) had put the Bulldogs up 2-0. Graceland (1-2-1) went on to tie it up by the 38th minute. Just before halftime, Garner got on the board with her first career collegiate goal to provide a 3-2 lead at the break. Molly Roberts also turned in an assist on the day.
The Yellowjackets, also defeated 5-1 at Midland last week, were limited to five shots (four on goal). At keeper for Concordia, Kalie Ward made her first start of the season and notched two saves. A native of Cheyenne, Wyo., Ward made 17 starts in 2021.
A third-straight road game is coming up on Saturday when the Bulldogs will be in Atchison, Kan., to battle 22nd-ranked Benedictine College (Kan.). Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. CT from Legacy Field. Concordia is aiming to defeat the Ravens for the first time in program history.