Bulldog men’s soccer heats up as the regular season ends
Junior Michael Wyvill moves the ball down the field, closely pursued by an opponent (photo from 2024 season).
Photo credit: Josiah Seabaugh
By Ransom Watts
The Bulldogs had a successful conclusion to the regular season with a 3-2 win over Doane at home this Wednesday, Oct. 29, for their third straight win.
The game looked to be a close match even from the start when the Bulldogs took to the field in the cold to face the Tigers. It was the Tigers who threatened first with a nearly deadly shot on goal that was successfully blocked by Concordia’s goalkeeper, senior Inigo Chavarria.
The Bulldogs responded with a shot on goal of their own by freshman Cleme Suarez that was blocked but went right back at it with a goal by sophomore Sam Hamilton that made the score 1-0 Concordia. The Tigers unsuccessfully tried to retaliate with another shot on goal that once again credited Chavarria with a save.
Despite Hamilton’s goal, the stat line for the first proved that it was a close game, with the Bulldogs leading in shots by a slim 5-4 margin and falling behind in shots on goal two to the Tigers’ four in the first half.
Right after the restart, the Bulldogs immediately took the initiative and scored with a goal from junior Jasper Hofland, who was assisted by his teammate, junior Hugo Garrote.
For the rest of the second half, it looked like Concordia was going to be able to run away with a shutout win once more as the teams took shots with no score change. The Tigers were not ready to give in, however, and as the second half was winding down, they were able to put two goals into Concordia’s net and tie it 2-2.
With 12 minutes left in the match, Hofland once again went through on goal, but a mistimed slide tackle from a Doane defender led to a penalty kick for the Bulldogs.
The Tigers lined up for the penalty kick but were unable to stop a well-placed shot from sophomore Ricards Busmeisters. It was his seventh goal of the season and put the Bulldogs up 3-2.
Despite taking the lead, the Bulldogs were not quite out of the woods yet and had to survive a few corner kicks and one deadly header from Doane that was blocked by Chavarria before the clock wound down and the game came to a close.
The Tigers did everything they could to keep it close by tying Concordia in shots on goal and biting at their heels in shots overall with eight to the Bulldogs’ seven, but in the end came up short.
After this week’s win, Concordia men’s soccer moves on to the Great Plains Athletic Conference Championships, where they face Hastings on Saturday, Nov. 1, in the quarter finals with the hopes of winning a GPAC title.
