Men’s soccer defeats Omaha in season’s first away game

Photo description: Sophomore Slade Leicht pelts down the field, keeping the ball ahead of the other team’s defender 

Photo credit: Kayla Korb (photo from previous game)

Cohen Carpenter

Sower Staff

Concordia men’s soccer was triumphant in enemy territory Tuesday night when they traveled north to play the Bellevue Bruins in South Omaha and won by a score of 2-1. The victory was the fourth in a row for the Bulldogs, who have started their 2023-2024 season undefeated.

After the first touch at 7:30 p.m., the Bulldogs wasted no time getting on the attack. Just three minutes into the action, freshman Ferdi Hagen put a shot on goal that was blocked by the Bruins’ back line. The ball was corralled by junior Carter Hinman, who used a powerful right leg to get the ball just past the arms of the diving Bruins keeper. The score was 1-0 for the Bulldogs after four minutes.

The Bruins refused to go quietly into that good night, however, and just two minutes later, they responded with a goal of their own. After a well-placed corner kick found its way to Bruins midfielder John Cover, the game was knotted at one after six minutes. This score remained until halftime.

Concordia opened the second half the same way they opened the game, pressuring the Bruins’ defense. That pressure resulted in a Bruins blunder that cost the home team the lead. The Bruins’ keeper, junior Taariq Ganga, was looking elsewhere when a soft pass from his fellow defender found its way to the back of the net in the 53rd. The Bulldogs hounded the Bruins and won the lead.

After the goal, the score was 2-1, Concordia’s lead, and remained that way until the final whistle blew. The Bulldogs held the initiative for most of the night, outshooting the Bruins 11-7 generally and 8-4 when it came to shots on goal.

On an individual level, Hinman and Hagen had standout games, both with two shots on goal, a goal and an assist respectively. In the net, junior keeper Gabriel Mendoza had a fine game with three saves to his name. Mendoza picked up the win as well, his second of the young season.

All in all, the Bulldogs fared well in their first road game of the season, and the strong performance netted the Bulldogs their best start to a season since 2019, when Concordia started 7-0. Over this four-game win streak, Concordia has outscored their opponents 7-3. The Bulldogs will take the pitch again in Seward on Sept. 9 at 5:30 p.m. against an 0-4 McPherson squad.