SEWARD, Neb. – The buildup to the latest contest differed from the regular routine. With a special honorary captain on the sideline, the Concordia University women’s soccer team continued the feel good GPAC vibes on Saturday (Sept. 21) afternoon. A goal from freshman Jaiden Beecher in the 55th minute supplied the only tally in a 1-0 Bulldog victory over visiting Northwestern.
Head coach Chris Luther’s squad has a new lease on life inside conference play. The Bulldogs are 2-0 in league action (2-6 overall) with wins over Presentation and Northwestern.
“It was fantastic,” Luther said. “The nonconference was especially frustrating. We felt like once the girls put 90 minutes together that we could really do some things productive and positive. That’s kind of what you saw today. We didn’t really have any defensive lapses to speak of, which has been something we’ve struggled with. We put 90 minutes of solid soccer together today.”
This was a “Game of Strength” with a purpose of raising awareness for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Three-year-old Fritz Krieger (son of former Concordia soccer player Sarah Krieger) served as honorary captain. Fritz was diagnosed with Duchenne in 2017. With that in mind, perhaps the Bulldogs had an emotional edge playing in their favor. The emotions poured out of goalkeeper Lindsey Carley in the 89th minute when she made a spectacular sprawling save in a one-on-one with Emily Hurley.
Carley reacted with a giant fist pump after the save and then leapt into the arms of Michaela Twito as the final seconds ticked off. It’s clear Concordia is in a much better place than it was one week ago before GPAC play began.
“We really needed it,” Carley said of the two victories to open conference play. “As soon as we started conference last Saturday against Presentation we knew that it was time we had to flip a switch, forget nonconference and everything that happened. We got a big win against Presentation and a big win today. We have to keep rolling.”
The Bulldogs have gotten their mojo back by committing to gritty defensive work. They limited the Red Raiders (3-3-1, 0-1 GPAC) to just four total shots with the help of an experienced pair of center backs in Tori Cera and Cheyenne Smith. When called upon, Carley made the plays to preserve the shutout.
On the attacking end, Concordia has struggled to find a consistent source for goal scoring. For the first time in her career, Beecher peppered the back of the net. The Omaha native found herself in an opportune place after the keeper deflected a free kick off the foot of Cera. Beecher proceeded to loft a shot over the head of the keeper. Though the Bulldogs put only three shots on frame (10 total shots), they were on the offensive more often than not, particularly in the second half.
In conjunction with the announcement of starting lineups, Fritz took the field with the team and wore jersey No. 3 – just like mom used to do. Members of the team also wore warmup t-shirts that promoted the Kriegers’ organization, Fritz & Friends.
“It was an awesome feeling, especially to go out and get the win for them,” Carley said. “It provides that little extra motivation to the team. You could definitely tell on the field that we were all playing for something a little extra today. It was a very special win.”
Concordia will have a week off before returning to action next Saturday (Sept. 28) with a road trip to Dordt (6-3, 3-0 GPAC). Kickoff from Sioux Center, Iowa, is set for 1 p.m. CT. The Bulldogs got past the Defenders, 3-2, last season in Seward.