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Home Sports Women’s Soccer Advances Past Morningside to GPAC Semifinals

By Nicholas Boys

Concordia’s women’s soccer team beat Morningside College (Iowa) 1-0 at home on Wednesday night. With a large crowd and active student section on hand, the Bulldogs moved through to the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) Tournament semifinals thanks to a 79th-minute goal from sophomore Tori Cera.

Both teams struggled early on to find a rhythm offensively before the game progressed into a more back and forth affair, where both teams had their chances on the goal.

“They are always a tough opponent who play well strategically to capitalize on our weaknesses,” junior midfielder Morgan Raska said.

The second half proved to be a more expansive affair from both sides, with Cera’s almost 40-yard strike making the difference.

“At halftime, Coach (Greg Henson) just reminded us that this is it. It’s win or go home. So, that really ignited us for the second half,” Raska said.

Morningside finished the game with 12 shots to Concordia’s five. While it appeared shaky at times, goalkeeper Lindsey Carley made four saves on the night, preserving the shutout for the Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs are now set for a matchup this Saturday afternoon with second-seeded Midland, with whom they played out a tough 1-1 draw last time they met. With a win on Saturday, the Bulldogs can return to the GPAC championship for the third year in a row, where they would face either top-seeded Hastings or fifth-seeded Briar Cliff.

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