SEWARD, Neb. – The competition ramps up for Concordia University, Nebraska Women’s Soccer as it is set to face two non-conference opponents in Bellevue University and Kansas Wesleyan University. The Bulldogs are 3-0-1 coming off three straight wins and will look to continue momentum on the road on Wednesday (Sept. 3). The program will celebrate 11 seniors on Saturday inside Bulldog Stadium.
This Week
Wednesday, Sept. 3 at Bellevue (2-0), 5:30 p.m.
Live Webcast | Live Stats | Location: Renner Dennis Outdoor Athletic Complex (Bellevue, Neb.)
Saturday, Sept. 6 vs. Kansas Wesleyan (1-0-1), 2:30 p.m.
Live Webcast | Live Stats | Location: Bulldog Stadium (Seward, Neb.)
With eight goals scored in the past two games, the Bulldog offense is rolling in the attacking third. Concordia traveled for the first time to Dakota State and defeated the Trojans, 4-1, to open the road campaign. Freshman Guadalupe Sanchez continued her hot streak with two scores on the book ends as Kyana Rios dealt the eventual game winner. Kierstynn Garner was a part of every score against Nebraska Wesleyan dropping three goals and an assist to Sanchez in the 4-0 win. The defense earned their first clean sheet with goalkeepers Aaliyah Matthews and Grady Smith combining for the shutout. Savannah Andrews, known for her scoring, racked up three assists in the two games including a one-touch header.
Garner, a senior forward, continues to rack up award earning her 7th career GPAC Offensive Player of the Week award. The Kearney High product has produced early with six goals and three dishes for a total of 15 points. She also made her way past Brittany Thomsick (2003-06) for the program’s third leading scorer (55 goals) and Gentri Brown (2003-06) as the fourth most in career points (131). KG is one game-winner away from 20 career go-ahead scores and has 21 assists in her time as a Dawg.
Sanchez, a freshman from Gretna, Neb., is right behind Garner with four goals and two assists in the opening four games. Against Nebraska Wesleyan, Sanchez scored her first career game-winning goal and assisted the go-ahead score in the win over No. 4 Columbia College (Mo.). Averaging over three points a game in the last three bouts, the Grand Island Northwest alum has translated her scoring into the next level for Concordia. Rios and freshman Charli Priester have also put their hat in the ring scoring two apiece, with the Omaha South product taking a game sealing goal versus Dakota State.
Taylor Slaymaker, the back line anchor, has the veteran voice of the seasoned back line that includes seniors Hannah Kile and Shelby Rugg. Slaymaker, a graduate student, sent her second career assist in the contest versus the Prairie Wolves. She has graced the field for her 66th time, in which she started 57 on the field. She is approaching the top seven in games played with Megan Brunssen (2013-16) and Rachel Mussell (2011-14) with 76 apiece.
In the current Massey Ratings, the Bulldogs are ranked 40th in the country with a strength of schedule that lands at 136th. With tying (3-3) a No. 23-ranked (NAIA) University of Science and Arts (Okla.) squad and defeating No. 4 Columbia, Concordia will surely surge into the NAIA top-25 as the next poll is released tomorrow (Sept. 2). In the meantime, Massey has the Bruins rated 51 with a 169th ranking in its schedule. The Coyotes are rated 65th overall and have a high strength of their run-down at 31.
Bellevue and CUNE met in the third game of 2024 and ended with a 1-1 draw after full time. Garner connected with Andrews and tied the match in the 72nd minute. BU doubled Concordia in shots (10-5) as both teams were limited in quality chances with six total shots on goal. Kansas Wesleyan and the Bulldogs met in Salina, Kan., two seasons ago as the visitors took a convincing victory (4-1). In 2023, Concordia’s Andrews scored early (4’) and scored another in the second half (61’). Elena Ruiz notched an early goal (16’) in what would be the eventual game winner and Garner added one in the second frame. The series has been won by KWU (1-3-3) since 2007.
Senior day is set for Saturday and will boast a massive class of 11 graduating to be celebrated in Bulldog Stadium. The 2025-26 class includes Abigail Allen, Niah Kirchner, Savannah Andrews, Sierra Springer, Selah Draper, Ashlee Trujillo, Elena Ruiz, Hannah Kile, Shelby Rugg, Kierstynn Garner and Augustine Abshagen. These seniors have amassed a 40-17-7 record so far and won the program’s first national tournament game versus Benedictine in Grand Rapids, Mich. In 2024, they were GPAC runner up, conference tournament runner up and broke the single season win streak (10). They grew the respect for the program by going from 7th place to 2nd the past two seasons.
Bellevue
The Bruins are 2-0 to start their 2025 rundown defeating GPAC foes Northwestern (2-0) and Dakota Wesleyan (4-2) in the first two games. With the Bulldogs being their home opener, it will be a big in-state trial at the Renner Dennis Outdoor Athletic Complex. Aileen Perez scored two of the six goals with Olivia Wahl, Sam Mausbach, Adi Kasel and Lily Humes scoring the remainder. Averaging 16.5 shots per game, Katrina Avila (seven) and Perez (six) lead in shots. Goalkeeper Abril Cura has two saves in two games between the posts. The freshman claimed the one shutout in her career opener versus the Red Raiders.
Kansas Wesleyan
The Coyotes are 1-0-1 with a win over 2024 GPAC champions Hastings (2-1) and a scoreless tie with No. 18 Central Methodist University (Mo.). Kansas Wesleyan will open the week against Mid-America Christian University (Okla.). Emma Gervy and Talia Walsh scored the two goals for KWU as Gervy has five shots through two games. Averaging 9.5 shots per contest, the Coyotes give up the about the same to opponents (10.0). With a shot on goal percentage of 0.684, the side out of Salina, Kan., has 13 shots on target. Isabella Galvan started both games in the net with five saves and has a shutout versus the Eagles.
Next Week
Concordia has the week off from game play and will use the time to rest, recover and practice. The Bulldogs will return to the field hosting York College on Wednesday (Sept. 17).