SEWARD, Neb. – The rivalry with Hastings will be renewed on Wednesday in a contest with GPAC regular season championship implications. With just four games remaining in the regular season, Concordia University, Nebraska Women’s Soccer has positioned itself for a potential conference championship. Head Coach Jason Weides’ squad remained unbeaten in league play as this past week’s action resulted in a 1-0 win at Mount Marty and a 2-2 home draw with Dakota Wesleyan. The Bulldogs carry a 6-0-1 conference record (7-2-3 overall) into Wednesday’s clash.
This Week
Wednesday, Oct. 14 vs. Hastings (10-1-2, 5-0-1 GPAC), 5:30 p.m.
--Webcast | Live Stats | Location: Bulldog Stadium (Seward, Neb.)
Saturday, Oct. 17 at Waldorf (2-10, 0-6 GPAC), 3 p.m.
--Webcast | Live Stats | Location: Bolstorff Field (Forest City, Iowa)
By the numbers
• Since Sept. 21, the NAIA has released a fresh set of RPI ratings each Monday. In the latest RPI (Oct. 12), Concordia checked in at No. 32 with a strength of schedule rated 45th toughest in the nation. As a comparison, Hastings landed at No. 23. Additionally, new ARC ratings will be announced on Wednesday. The Bulldogs were placed 13th in the Midwest Region in the ARC Ratings unveiled on Oct. 1. At the time, Concordia was situated behind Hastings (fifth), Briar Cliff (eighth) and Morningside (10th), among GPAC teams. No GPAC squads appeared in the most recent NAIA Selection Committee top 25 poll.
• The Bulldogs tacked four points onto their conference total last week as they won at Mount Marty, 1-0, on Oct. 7 before drawing with Dakota Wesleyan, 2-2, on Oct. 10. Concordia and Mount Marty entered their matchup with identical 5-0 league records. The lone goal was scored by freshman Molli Kalsbeck in the 30th minute. Keeper Aaliyah Matthews was credited with eight saves in the shutout. Three days later, the Bulldogs were less than three minutes away from getting to 7-0 in conference play. However, Dakota Wesleyan’s Arlette Montañez scored in the 88th minute to knot the score. Both Concordia goals in the match were supplied by its center backs: Evie Keller (33’) and Charli Preister (47’). They were set up by corner kicks from Triniti Rowe.
• Jason Weides has led his side to a 6-0-1 league record, equaling the 2017 and 2018 teams (coached by Greg Henson) for the best seven-game GPAC marks in program history. The 2026 Bulldogs were the first team in school history to get to 6-0 in conference play. The current team is bidding to become the second squad in program annals to win a GPAC regular season title. The ’17 team accomplished that feat while going 9-0-1 in conference action. Concordia owns three GPAC tournament championships (2014, 2016 and 2020).
• The rivalry with Hastings dates back to 1996, the inaugural season of Bulldog Women’s Soccer. The Broncos won the first matchup, 3-0 and lead the all-time series, 32-6-5. The rivalry became much more hotly contested in 2014 when Concordia stunned then 20th-ranked Hastings, 1-0, in the GPAC Championship Game. This past season, the Bulldogs defeated the Broncos on the road, 2-1, before Hastings found revenge in the postseason (GPAC semifinals) with a 2-1 overtime win that ended Concordia’s season. The Broncos won GPAC Championship Games over the Bulldogs in 2017, 2018 and 2024.
• Through 12 games this season, Concordia has outscored its opponents by a combined total of 22-14. The Bulldogs have been more dominant in conference games only, holding a 15-4 goal scoring advantage in seven GPAC outings. On the year, three Concordia players have found the back of the net at least four times: Guadalupe Sanchez (six), Abby Haynes (four) and Molli Kalsbeck (four). Each of those three players has also contributed at least three assists. At keeper, Aaliyah Matthews has started 10 games and has made 39 saves while sporting a .86 goals against average and .830 save percentage. She’s produced four clean sheets.
The opponents
Hastings has been a perennial league power and was the 2025 GPAC tournament champion. Last year’s Bronco squad advanced to the second round of the NAIA National Championship via a 3-1 win over Friends University (Kan.) in the first round. Hastings finished ’25 at 16-4-3 overall. Picked first in the 2026 conference preseason poll, the Broncos sit at 10-1-2 overall with the lone loss having come against Benedictine College (Kan.). Seventh-year Head Coach Jade Ovendale’s program returned 2025 First Team All-GPAC performers in midfielder Sabrina DeHart and forward Madison Rhodes and second teamers in midfielder Avery Higgins and goalkeeper Tatiana Villasenor. Rhodes has been lethal on the attack while tallying 15 goals and eight assists this season. Hastings has outscored its opponents by a combined total of 42-10 over 13 games.
Waldorf remains in search of its first league win this season. The Warriors will travel to Dakota Wesleyan on Wednesday before hosting Concordia on Saturday. Emmanuel Awotula took the reins of the Waldorf program prior to the start of the ’26 campaign. His roster features one returning All-GPAC player in junior midfielder Payton Whitt. On the attack, junior forward Kait Gaspari has produced four goals, one-third of the team’s total. The Warriors have conceded 38 goals in six GPAC games. In last year’s matchup played in Seward, the Bulldogs routed Waldorf, 10-0.
Next week
After arriving home from Forest City, Iowa, the Bulldogs will have a full week to prepare for their home matchup with Northwestern on Saturday, Oct. 24. The final two games of the regular season will take place inside Bulldog Stadium.