SIOUX CITY, Iowa – The Bulldogs struck first in the clash of top GPAC competition, but Morningside responded with three unanswered in the 3-1 loss on Saturday night (Oct. 4). The Mustangs snapped a 19-game regular season unbeaten streak going back to 2024.
Head Coach Nick Smith and his side move to 7-1-4 overall and 2-1-2 in the conference.
“We played quite well in the first half,” Coach Smith said. “We were able to find good spaces and consistently get at them. We created three or four really good looks and were probably a little disappointed we didn’t score more in the first half. Two minutes into the second, they score off a set piece, and that changed the momentum. I’m not sure we regained our flow after that goal in the second half.”
In the 26:00 mark, Savannah Andrews found some open space just inside the 18-yard box and smashed a no-doubter just inside the near post. With the setup pass by Elena Ruiz, the Gretna High alum notched her 4th goal of the season and the 29th of her career. With a one goal lead going into the half, both squads had five shots apiece in the opening 45 minutes.
Early in the second frame, Morningside responded with a score by Trinay Garcia via Emma Feigl and Ida Carlsson less than two minutes in. The Mustangs would tack on two more from a brace performance by Keyera Harmon.
The Bulldogs would muster three chances in the second half but were stifled by a defense that has only allowed six goals through eight games. Andrews and Kierstynn Garner took two boots at the opposing keeper apiece, leading the team in shots taken. Triniti Rowe, Kyana Rios, Elena Ruiz and Charli Priester took the remaining chances.
Only having five shots on goal, the Mustangs pushed three past goalie Aliya Vidro as she gathered two saves in the 90 minutes. Concordia would take the only two corner kicks of the entire game and would make five less fouls (eight) than its counterparts.
Morningside’s Keyera Harmon kicked a game-leading five shots and finished with two scores, moving her season total to seven. Moriah Dixson was challenged four times and grabbed three saves in her home net. Melissa Tsatiris and Sami Murray tallied assists to Harmon as the Mustangs added to their overall record (6-1-2) and conference showing (3-1). They will host Dordt this upcoming Wednesday.
Concordia (7-1-4, 2-1-2 GPAC) will travel to Hastings (8-1-2, 3-0-1 GPAC) on Wednesday (Oct. 8). The Bulldogs will take the field at 8 p.m. CT with the aim to get back to the consistent success under Coach Smith.
Said Smith, “The idea is to believe in the success that we have had and what we have done to be successful. We just need to get back to the roots of our team and what our strengths are.”