SEWARD, Neb. – The final week of the regular season will have the Concordia University women’s soccer team fighting for its postseason life. Currently tied for eighth place in the league standings, the Bulldogs have some work to do in order to secure a spot in the eight-team GPAC tournament. Head coach Chris Luther’s squad will host Doane on Wednesday before hitting the road for Saturday’s regular-season finale at Dakota Wesleyan.
This Week
Wednesday, Oct. 30 vs. Doane (5-8-1, 1-7-1 GPAC), 5:30 p.m.
-Live Webcast/Stats
Saturday, Nov. 2 at Dakota Wesleyan (5-9-1, 2-8-1 GPAC), 4 p.m.
-Live Webcast/Stats
In the No. 8 spot in the league standings, Concordia and College of Saint Mary both have 14 points, one fewer than seventh-place Morningside. Mathematically, could still finish anywhere from fifth to ninth in the GPAC. The top four place finishers each earn home games in the quarterfinals of the GPAC tournament (Nov. 7). The Bulldogs had hosted conference quarterfinal games in four of the previous five seasons, including the 2017 campaign when it won the GPAC regular season and was rewarded with the No. 1 seed.
This year’s squad has struggled to put the ball into the back of the net, but has remained competitive against the league’s top teams. Of Concordia’s four GPAC losses, only one has come by a margin of greater than one goal (2-0 versus then 22nd-ranked Midland). In conference games only, the Bulldogs rank third in the GPAC in terms of fewest goals allowed per game (0.8). Goalkeeper Lindsey Carley and company have not conceded more than one goal in any of their past five games. Four of those five went to double overtime. Concordia’s strong midfield and experienced center backs have played a major role in the stingy defensive efforts.
Another team having difficulty scoring goals will be in town Wednesday. Doane has mustered only five goals in its nine GPAC games. Overall though, the Tigers have improved compared to last season when they conceded 48 goals. That total has been cut to 24 through 14 contests this fall. Doane started this season at 4-1 while feasting on opponents from the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference.
Opponents have poked holes in Dakota Wesleyan much more frequently. The Tigers have been outscored by a combined total of 38-10 in conference play. Josephine Bardsley (eight goals) has knocked in half of the team’s total goals this season. DWU has won back-to-back games via a 4-3 decision over Briar Cliff and a 1-0 triumph at Doane. Both DWU and Doane have been eliminated from postseason contention.
Dates for the GPAC tournament are Nov. 7 for the quarterfinals, Nov. 12 for the semifinals and No. 15 for the championship game.