SEWARD, Neb. – Kyana Rios and the Concordia University, Nebraska Women’s Soccer squad flexed a superior prowess in the 4-1 victory over Briar Cliff on Saturday afternoon (Sept. 27). The Bulldogs punished the Chargers with 18 shots and left no doubt after the opening minutes of the contest. Rios doubled down with a two-goal brace and the eventual game winning score.
The undefeated freight train rolls to 7-0-3 (2-0-1 GPAC) overall, matching last year’s 10-game unbeaten streak.
“Once we got going, things started to go really well for us today,” Head Coach Nick Smith said. “The only disappointment we have is that we conceded a goal early on. We continue to stay hot in front of the net. I also see us still leaving goals out there. Chance creation is getting better, now it is just, can we get execution in those moments?”
After giving up an early score, the Dawgs didn’t blink and bounced back only nine minutes later. Standing almost out of play for a free kick five yards outside the penalty area, Sadie Mares blasted a bending ball to the far top corner to give the BCU keeper no shot at the playing hero for the equalizer. Mares scored the first goal of the season and the second of her career.
Rios and Abby Haynes would connect on two different occasions to put in the second (14’) and fourth (78’) scores of the game. The Sophomore, out of Omaha, Neb., has already gathered six goals in the first nine games having scored four in her freshman campaign. The midfielder has a whopping team-best .429 shot percentage.
“We played solid today,” Rios said. “The practices leading up to the game helped us prepare well. You know, we are not at our full potential yet. We have a lot of growth to do still. It’s good to get a win out here and Wednesday, we will be coming back to get another result.”
Garner struck once again, with Niah Kirchner delivering the score in open space in the 66th minute of the contest. KG has now scored 61 career goals and is only the third person in the program to reach the mark, along with Angela Krueger (1997-00) and Jennifer Davis (2002-05).
Nine different Bulldogs fired shots with Garner (four), Rios (three), Haynes (two), Ashlee Trujillo (two), Elena Ruiz (two) and Guadalupe Sanchez (two). Grady Smith blocked out four saves and the contest win.
Briar Cliff’s Tamzin Hilton scored in the fourth minute and was assisted by Ellen Lofsjogard. Hilton led the team in shots (two) and goalie Kinley Wood took six saves for the visitors. The Chargers (2-7, 0-3 GPAC) will have a break from conference play and welcome Bellevue to Faber Field.
Concordia (7-0-3, 2-0-1 GPAC) is expected to host Mount Marty (5-3, 2-0 GPAC) on Wednesday night. The Bulldogs will walk out at 8 p.m. CT at Bulldog Stadium.