Bulldogs secure big win in Iowa in GPAC opener

From left: Charli Preister, Triniti Rowe and Kyana Rios before their game against Dakota State (photo from previous game)

Photo: Max Fritsche

By Victory Tavares Paiva

The Bulldogs women’s soccer team traveled to Sioux Center, Iowa, to face Dordt University on Saturday and returned home with a big 3-1 victory in their Great Plains Athletic Conference opener.

Concordia opened the scoring just three minutes into the match. After Abby Haynes’ shot was saved by the Defenders’ goalkeeper, the rebound fell to freshman Addie Snyder, who found the open net to give the Bulldogs an early 1-0 lead.

Thirty-seven minutes into the first half, sophomore Kianna Perez unleashed a beautiful shot from outside the box to double the Bulldogs’ advantage. With Concordia leading 2-0 at halftime, Coach Jason Weides and his team headed into the locker room with a comfortable lead.

After returning to the field at the Defender Soccer Complex for the second half, both teams continued to create scoring opportunities. Of Concordia’s 14 total shots in the match, seven came in the second half, while Dordt recorded seven shots overall, including three after halftime. Junior goalkeeper Aliya Vidro made two saves on Dordt’s three shots on goal to help preserve the Bulldogs’ lead.

Late in the second half, in the 86th minute, sophomore Abby Haynes received a pass from Molli Kalsbeck and dribbled past a Dordt defender before finding the back of the net for her second goal of the season. Her previous goal came against Kansas Wesleyan earlier this month.

Dordt scored a consolation goal in the final minute of the match, as Lexi Terpstra cut the deficit to 3-1. However, the Bulldogs held on to secure the victory.

With the win, the Bulldogs improve to 2-2-2 overall and 1-0 in GPAC. The women’s soccer team will return to action next Wednesday at 5 pm against Doane University in Crete, Nebraska, at Papik Field.