Goals from Mussell, Sklenicka lead to GPAC-opening victory

By Taylor Mueller, Sports Information Assistant

SEWARD, Neb. – The women’s soccer team opened up the conference season with a 2-1 victory over Mount Marty College, notching its fourth win of the season in the process. The Bulldogs (4-3, 1-0 GPAC) dominated the action throughout much of Saturday afternoon’s victory inside Bulldog Stadium.

Junior Rachel Mussel got things started with a goal off a corner kick in the 15th minute, which was followed by an unassisted goal by junior Ashlie Sklenicka in the 40th minute.

Going into the game, the Bulldogs were focused and determined to set the stage right for conference play.

“It was a goal coming into the game to come out of it 1-0 in conference play and we achieved that goal today,” head coach Greg Henson said.

“There’s not really an easy game in the GPAC conference. Mount Marty is a quality opponent and they weren’t going to make things easy on us. We played better in the first half and we had a lot of opportunities but their goal keeper played outstanding.”

Sklenicka stayed busy throughout the game, getting off eight shots in the game.

“I couldn’t do it without the 10 players behind me tonight,” Sklenicka said. “They did an awesome job playing me the ball and giving me the opportunity to get in front of the goal.”

Although they narrowly missed a shutout, Henson was pleased with his team’s play.

“We were able to find two openings when Rachel Mussell and Ashlie Sklenicka got on the scoring board and we went in 2-0,” Henson said. “Unfortunately, (we had) a little bit of a defensive lapse in the second half but we came away with a 2-1 victory, so we’re pleased.”

Defensively, the Bulldogs had a new face in front of the goal, as freshman Chrissy Lind was called on to get the start.

“She did a great job,” Henson said. “She brings athleticism, plays the ball well with her feet, so it makes us a little more dynamic out of the back. She did a great job back there. We’re looking for big things from her for her four-year career.”

Sklenicka noted that after six straight home games, the team has put in quality hours on the field to improve and work on their strategies and techniques, something that has really benefited them.

“We’ve had six games before us and we’ve been able to practice everything that we’ve needed to work on and I think that has given us an opportunity to fix the problems that we have and get comfortable with each other playing,” Sklenicka said.

The Bulldogs will face their next three opponents on the road, and after a home-field advantaged opening to the season, Concordia will be looking to maintain their momentum in foreign territory.

“It’ll be something new,” Henson said. “A little change of scenery, a little fresh breath of air, so hopefully we’re ready to go and we can keep things going in the GPAC conference.”

Concordia will square off against Grace University in Omaha, Neb. on Wednesday, Sept. 25 at 6 p.m.