Bulldog women’s soccer rallies to tie up Broncos after going down 0-2 in first half
Photo description: Junior defender Senna McMullen brings the ball up the pitch
Photo credit: Courtney Wright (Photo from previous game)
Darien Semedo
Sower Staff
The Concordia Bulldog women’s soccer team (10-3-2, 6-1-2) tied with the Hastings Broncos (11-1-2, 6-1-2) on a chilly Saturday night in Hastings as top teams grappled for positions in the Great Plains Athletic Conference standings.
Both teams were tied atop the GPAC standings at 5-1-2 coming into the night, with Midland right behind the Bulldogs at 5-2-1, putting pressure on both teams to come out aggressive.
As the game kicked off, both teams fought for early possession. The Broncos found success early, applying pressure on goalie Bradi Ore. At the 22-minute mark after a good save by Ore, Bronco Naomi Pedroza cleaned up the play for their first score. It didn’t take long for them to add to it, as Bronco Dekota Schubert cleaned up another save from Ore.
As both teams settled in, the Bulldogs answered back with sophomore Kierstynn Garner getting her 14th goal of the season. The shot came off a corner kick that was passed in short by Grace Soenksen, then 10 feet from the corner Garner curved the kick past two defenders into the goal. The half ended with Hastings being the aggressor, with 10 shots on the half compared to Concordia’s three.
The Bulldogs found the equalizer at the 72-minute mark with none other than GPAC goal leader Garner. As Garner fought for position, sophomore Niah Kirchner kicked a perfect lofted pass that Garner finished with a smooth touch kick over the goalie’s head. As the game headed to its finish, Hastings only had a few more quality looks, and couldn’t find the back of the net.
The Broncos finished with 11 shots on goal, with Ore finishing with nine saves on the night. The Bulldogs only had three shots on goal for the whole night, but cashed in when they needed to.
Both teams are still tied for the top seat in the GPAC, with only two conference games on the schedule for the Bulldogs. Concordia will hit the road again on Oct. 18 to face Briar Cliff (4-4-4, 3-3-3) before senior night against Waldorf (0-9-3, 0-6-2) on Saturday, Oct. 21.
