Men’s Soccer Misses Comeback Kick by Milliseconds

By Jordan McCoy

Saturday night’s match was a discouraging one for the Bulldogs, who lost 0-1 to the Graceland University Yellowjackets. The Yellowjackets scored early in the game, only 14 minutes into the second half. This forced the Bulldogs into playing catch up to find the equalizing goal for the remainder of the match.

A well-placed bicycle kick from England native Lewis Rathbone, just as the horn signaled the end of the game, was thought to have been that goal, moving the match into overtime. But this kick was ruled to have gone in the net milliseconds after the horn sounded.

Concordia outshot Graceland 18-8.Lewis Rathbone led the Bulldogs with six shots, one on goal. The Bulldogs had been working on their defensive pressing, which had improved according to head coach Jason Weides. Defensively, Concordia kept the Yellowjackets to only three shots in the second half.

“I was really impressed with our guys’ competitive spirit to get back into the game after giving up a goal,” Weides said.

The Bulldogs knew this game was going to be a difficult one, as Graceland University had beaten a fourth ranked team in the NAIA earlier in their season.

Next up for Concordia is a trip to North Newton, Kansas on Monday night where they will take on Bethel College (0-2) at 4 p.m.