CRETE, Neb. – A formula that features stingy defensive play and opportunistic attacking has worked superbly in three straight outings for the Concordia University, Nebraska Women’s Soccer team. The Bulldogs earned their second GPAC road win in a five-day span while blanking rival Doane, 2-0, in Crete on a mild Wednesday (Sept. 23) night. A 0-0 deadlock was broken midway through the second half with Kianna Perez and Guadalupe Sanchez notching a goal apiece for the victors.
Concordia has neither tied nor lost in a matchup with Doane since 2013. The continuation of its series dominance pushed Head Coach Jason Weides’ squad to 3-2-2 overall (2-0 GPAC).
“Doane played well and challenged us,” Weides said. "We knew it was going to be a challenge today. We struggled to do the simple things in the first half, but sometimes that happens. Sometimes you’re not playing at your best and you have to find a way to get results. Today was one of those things. We got in behind a little better in the second half and played a little simpler. Doane pressed and pressed well. We started to solve that a little better.”
Positive results have eluded the Tigers (0-7-1, 0-2 GPAC) so far this fall, but they were the Bulldogs’ equal for a good portion of the 90 minutes. Concordia and Doane were even in shots (11-11) while feeling things out in the final third. In helping spearhead the team’s second shutout over the past three games, sophomore center backs Evie Keller and Charli Preister continued to excel in front of keeper Aaliyah Matthews. The Millard North High School product Matthews made three saves to preserve the shoutout.
A sophomore from Columbus, Abby Haynes has played at a high level since missing this season’s first two games. In the 69th minute of Wednesday's victory, Haynes warded off a hounding defender on the left sideline before bulleting a cross towards Perez. The Lincoln Southwest High School product broke the seal with a header goal in the 69th minute. The UNL transfer Perez has scored in back-to-back matches.
For good measure, the Grand Island native Sanchez emerged with a frozen rope of a goal in the 74th minute. Her strike drilled the underside of the crossbar for her 10th career goal (third of the season). Sanchez scored from roughly 30 yards out off a touch from freshman Molli Kalsbeck. The Kearney native Kalsbeck put two shots of her own on goal in a balanced attacking effort.
In a winning performance, Concordia learned something about the grind of conference play. Said Weides, “It was a tough game. We found a way. It was good to finally get that goal to break through and then the second one to seal it off … Every game is going to be tough whether you’re facing a team that’s undefeated or a team that hasn’t won a game. It’s getting harder from here.”
Doane remains in search of its first win after finishing fifth in the 2025 GPAC standings. Goalkeeper Emily Villagomez kept her side tight with Concordia by collecting six saves. At the opposite end, Megan Townsend tested the Bulldogs with four shots (two on goal).
The Bulldogs will make a return to the home turf on Saturday when they host Morningside (4-1-2, 1-0-1 GPAC) as part of a Bulldog Stadium tripleheader. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. CT. Concordia will attempt to avenge last season’s 3-1 loss at Morningside, the 2025 GPAC regular season champion. In Wednesday action, the Mustangs played to a scoreless draw with intracity rival Briar Cliff.