Rodriguez provides lone Bulldog goal in 1-1 draw at Nebraska Wesleyan

By Taylor Mueller, Athletic Communications Assistant

LINCOLN, Neb. – One week after an offensive showcase that saw the Bulldogs put up the most goals against a GPAC opponent since 2010, Concordia found themselves in a double overtime slugfest. Concordia and host Nebraska Wesleyan settled for a 1-1 tie after 110 minutes of playing time.

The Bulldogs (9-2-2, 3-0-2 GPAC ) remained unbeaten in conference play and maintained their position at second in the conference with 11 points.  

Neither team was able to gain much of an upper hand in the first half, as they headed into the locker rooms at the intermission with a 0-0 tie. The Bulldogs struggled to find momentum on the offensive end, getting off three shots in the first 45 minutes as well as just one corner kick.

It did not help that the Bulldogs were forced to play the majority of the first half after freshman Jessica Skerston rolled her ankle roughly five minutes into the game. Later, fellow sophomore striker Jordan McCoy made her way to the sidelines after getting banged up as well.

It did not take long for the Bulldogs to find the back of the net in the second half, however, as senior Emmalynn Rodriguez gave Concordia a 1-0 lead in the 47th minute with a goal that found the top left corner of the net from 10 yards out off an assist from senior Meredith Hein. The Bulldogs would not be able to muster up much more on the offensive end, however, railing off just two shots on goal and coming up empty-handed on corner kicks.

Head coach Greg Henson commented on Rodriguez and Hein, who came off the bench and answered a big call to fill in for the injured Skerston and McCoy.

“Meredith Hein and Emmalynn Rodriguez stepped up huge,” Henson said. “They played the majority of minutes up front and combined to give us the lead.”

Nebraska Wesleyan responded quickly however, as they responded with a header into the goal in the 51st minute.

“Nebraska Wesleyan is very dangerous on set pieces,” Henson said. “They connected on a corner kick shortly after our goal.”  

In a tight game that required just as much defensive composure as offensive possession, Sophomore goalikeeper Chrissy Lind stayed busy tending the nets, saving eight goals on long night.

“Chrissy played outstanding,” Henson said. “She made about four game-winning saves.”

Even with circumstances stacked against them, Henson and company avoided a road defeat.

“Nebraska Wesleyan is a good team,” Henson said. “They finished third in our conference last year and look like a top-four team again this year. We feel like we kind of stole one because they had us on our heels for a while.”

“It's difficult when you're without two of your starting front runners,” Henson said. “It was a tough match on the road and sometimes you have to gut one out. We're happy to get a point on the road, but I still wouldn't say we're satisfied. This was a little bit of a wakeup call in that we're playing some pretty tough games now.”

Concordia will take on Northwestern (5-8-1, 3-2-1 GPAC), which currently sits at fourth in the conference, on Saturday, Oct. 18. Kickoff on senior night is set for 5 p.m. from Bulldog Stadium.