Bulldogs’ winning streak extended to five after rainout rout

Concordia players celebrate goal from Joey Long against College of Saint Mary.

Photo: Keith Siek

By Keith Siek

The women’s soccer team greeted their foe with energy in Concordia’s 3-0 win over the College of Saint Mary’s in Thursday’s rescheduled contest. Offense and defense both shined in the Bulldogs’ fifth consecutive win. 

The game was rescheduled from Wednesday due to heavy rainfall and flood conditions. The change of day didn’t put the Bulldogs off their game as they performed from the first whistle. Coach Jason Weides enjoyed the energy in all areas of the game. 

“We played with a lot of energy from the pregame, to the sideline, and then on the field. I loved every second of it,” Weides said.

The Bulldogs’ offensive attack was characterized by greater on-goal accuracy in this matchup, outshooting the Flames 19-9, 13 of which rocketed inside the frame of the Saint Mary goal posts.

“I think we created chances and put the ball on frame,” Weides said. “We put a few in the back of the net too.”

Freshman Molli Kalsbeck led Concordia with a perfect five shots on goal out of five attempts. Kalsbeck also opened the scoring for the Bulldogs in the 29th minute of the game, tipping a loose ball that was delivered into tight traffic by sophomore Abby Haynes. 

“I saw Abby cross it in, then I saw Addie [Snyder] go for the header. I thought she was going to make it in, but I just scooped the ball up and got the volley to go in,” Kalsbeck said.

Concordia poured on the intensity after the game’s first score, and Haynes doubled the Bulldogs’ lead, assisted by senior Joey Long, three minutes after Kalsbeck found the back of the net. Haynes now leads all Bulldogs with four goals on the season.

Long put an exclamation mark on the victory, scoring with eight seconds to go in the match, assisted by Snyder.

Sophomore Aaliyah Matthews put on a show of athleticism as she held Saint Mary’s without a goal in five attempts during 90 minutes of action.

“She hasn’t been called to make that many saves because our collective defending has been really good,” Weides said.

Matthews said that the defense in front of her made her job a lot easier.

“My defense is insane. I owe everything to my defense,” Matthews said. “We keep developing and getting better every game.”

The Bulldogs stand a game behind Great Plains Athletic Conference foe Mount Marty University for the top spot after the win. Concordia improves to 5-2-2 on the season while maintaining a perfect 4-0 record against GPAC competition. 

Concordia will face Briar Cliff University in Sioux City, Iowa on Oct. 3, before a pivotal contest against Mount Marty on Oct. 7 in Yankton, South Dakota.

Weides said that this win keeps his squad in contention for the top spot in the GPAC, and he is excited to see his team challenged as they complete their run. 

“This win keeps us competing for a title,” Weides said. “At the end of the day, these are two really tough teams. Briar Cliff looks like a real contender, and Mount Marty is at the top of the conference with us. I’m excited to see my team tested this week.”