HASTINGS, Neb. – One of the league’s most intense rivalries came down to a single goal in the 88th minute as the Concordia University Women’s Soccer team met up with Hastings on Saturday (Oct. 16) night. The Bulldogs have gotten comfortable playing in GPAC nail-biters, but it was the Broncos who came away with a 1-0 victory at Lloyd Wilson Field, the scene of Concordia’s very first GPAC championship (back in 2014). Dekota Schubert’s header proved the difference.
Head Coach Thomas Goines’ squad has seen five of its last six games be decided by 1-0 final scores. As of this moment, the Bulldogs (7-5-2, 4-3-2 GPAC) reside in seventh place in the still cloudy GPAC standings.
“I thought the first half we played an even match,” Goines said. “They obviously had a handful more chances and we’ve struggled to get into that final third and create opportunities. That shows up when you’re playing really good teams. They certainly prevented us from creating many chances. Second half, they pressed us out in the middle of the field and made it very hard for us to build and keep the ball.
Concordia struggled most of the night from an attacking perspective, managing just a single shot (Cheyenne Smith in the seventh minute) and none on goal. For Hastings (9-4-1, 5-3-1 GPAC), that type of stinginess defensively was a continuation of recent outings. The Broncos have not allowed a goal in regulation over their past four games. The frustration for Hastings was simply the effort it took to find the back of the net against a Bulldog team that has made its identity as a gritty outfit.
A key for Concordia in hanging with the best the GPAC has to offer has been the play of a back line headlined by the likes of Allee Downing and Grace Soenksen. Schubert is a difficult opponent to keep in check. Her game-winning header gave Bulldog keeper Kalie Ward no chance. It was an overall strong performance once again for Ward, who made six saves while thwarting several dangerous chances.
Said Goines, “Our back line has held up well. Through some injuries we’ve been forced to change the players in the back line and even in the number of players in the back line. It’s put them under pressure. The fact we’ve only given up two goals over the last three games with that many changes – against some very good teams – I’m really happy with how they’ve held together. On the other half of the field, we have to find a way to be more dynamic.”
The Broncos finished with a 15-1 shot advantage (7-0 in shots on goal). Concordia had an edge in corner kicks, 4-2. Hastings (tied for third in the GPAC) effectively avenged their 1-0 loss from last season in Seward. The two programs met in GPAC tournament championship games as recently as 2017 and 2018.
The Bulldogs will hit the road again on Wednesday when they will be at defending GPAC regular season champion Briar Cliff (11-1, 9-0 GPAC) for a 2 p.m. CT kickoff in Sioux City, Iowa. The Chargers will attempt to avenge the 1-0 loss they endured last season in Seward. Concordia has won back-to-back meetings with Briar Cliff.