Concordia Women's Soccer entered the night with hopes of winning the GPAC regular season title. The Bulldogs took care of their business with a 4-0 win at Doane while finishing in second place in the 2023 regular season.
Concordia finds itself in the final week of the 2023 season, traveling to Crete, Neb. to square off against Doane on Wednesday (Oct. 25). Last week, the Bulldogs clashed with a defensive minded Briar Cliff in a scoreless tie, then came home for senior day defeating Waldorf (2-1).
Three seniors were honored before the 2-1 win over Waldorf on Saturday (Oct. 21). Kassidy Johnson, Hannah Haas and Bradi Ore played in their final regular season match in Bulldog Stadium, as the sun came down in the final minutes.
The Bulldogs had less than desirable conditions in their early midweek match, as Concordia and Briar Cliff couldn’t find the back of the net through full time. The 0-0 bout brought offense that was as cloudy as the overhanging sky, leaving the teams knotted at Faber Field.
Crunch time is upon the Bulldogs, as they make the trip to Briar Cliff on Wednesday (Oct. 18) and play at home for the final time in the regular season against Waldorf on senior day (Oct. 21).
Kierstynn Garner (KG) played a major role in the high stakes matches this past week to earn the GPAC/Hauff Mid-America Sports Women's Soccer Offensive Players of the Week announced by the league office on Tuesday (Oct. 17).
Concordia used their limited chances to roar back into the match at Hastings on Saturday night (Oct. 14). Kierstynn Garner (KG) scored two consecutive goals to knot the two teams (2-2), unable to get the third late to take the win on the road.
The Bulldogs came out swinging with an early goal by Sierra Springer and finished with a late score by Ashlee Trujillo, putting the game out of reach in the 2-0 victory over CSM.
After a loss and win this past week, Concordia sits tied with Hastings at the top of the league standings deep into their 2023 campaign. Their toughest week of the season comes against conference opponents College of Saint Mary (3rd) and Hastings (1st-tied) as the Bulldogs vie for the top spot.
This may have been Concordia's best win and best all-around performance to this point in the 2023 season. The Bulldogs got an early goal from Kierstynn Garner and rode it to a 1-0 victory at Jamestown on Saturday (Oct. 7).
From out of the abyss of an 0-3 start to conference play, Concordia Women's Soccer emerged as a 2024 NAIA national qualifier. Coach Smith and three Bulldogs discussed how the team turned its season around.
After contending for a GPAC championship in 2023, the Bulldogs return nearly all key pieces to the 2024 roster. Naturally, Head Coach Nick Smith's squad has high hopes for what its depth of talent can achieve this fall.
While challenging itself significantly this spring, Concordia Women's Soccer began preparing for lofty expectations in 2024. Coach Nick Smith has emphasized better possession and standing up to physical play.
The Concordia Women’s Soccer program isn’t going anywhere. That’s a message the 2023 Bulldogs delivered loud and clear while following the lead of the likes of Grace Soenksen and Kierstynn Garner. Concordia exceeded outside expectations.
Ninety-two career games played and four First Team All-GPAC awards to her credit, Grace Soenksen can humbly say that she left a legacy that will stand the test of time. Said Head Coach Nick Smith, "She’s going to go down as a legend."
The transitional phase for Concordia Women's Soccer began back in the spring as Nick Smith took the reins of the program. With the return of Grace Soenksen and a talented sophomore group, the Bulldogs are optimistic about this fall.
In the middle of March, Nick Smith found himself hitting the ground running with spring training sessions. The new Concordia Women's Soccer head coach sees a program with the right foundation for short- and long-term success.
There were ups and downs in 2022, but Concordia Women’s Soccer proved it could hang with anyone in the GPAC. The Bulldogs blended seniors and freshmen and put together the longest unbeaten run to begin a season in program history.
Fresh off a normal spring for the first time since 2019, the Bulldogs are working towards another season of GPAC championship contention. Coach Goines' squad returns a strong nucleus while welcoming an athletic freshman class.
At one point determined to go anywhere but Concordia, Grace Soenksen wound up following in the footsteps of four of her older siblings. She's proven, however, that she is not another Esther. Grace has made her mark in her own way.