Men’s soccer rolls on with 3-2 win against Briar Cliff

Junior Michael Wyvill attempts to outrun an opponent to reach the goal (photo from 2024 season).

Photo credit: Josiah Seabaugh

By William Swanson

Concordia men’s soccer took down the Briar Cliff Chargers on a late penalty kick to advance to the Great Plains Athletic Conference championship game. The Bulldogs, 10-8 and 6-3 in conference, came into the match ranked third in the GPAC tournament, while the Chargers, 8-7-3 and 4-3-2 in conference, came in ranked seventh.

The match started hot for the Bulldogs as sophomore Ricards Busmeisters scored in the 16th minute to put the Bulldogs up 1-0. Concordia would pick up four straight fouls nothing would fall for the Chargers. Briar Cliff responded with their first goal of the match at the 36:45 mark, scored by senior Finaly Skilling. That took the game 1-1 into the halftime break.

Concordia found a second goal through freshman Cleme Suarez, bringing the score to 2-1. Briar Cliff quickly answered with a goal, making the score 2-2. A Briar Cliff foul sent Busmeisters, where he would score the game-winning penalty kick, bringing the score to 3-2.

Busmeister knew the responsibility that was on his shoulders.

“I knew I had to be the decisive maker, I’m just very grateful for everything,” Busmeisters said.

Coach Jason Weides believed in Busmeisters all the way on that final goal.

“Richie’s clutch, he’s a guy that could have 18 plus goals, we were fortunate to have him in that situation,” Weides said.

Coach Weides shared his thoughts about the game.

“It was a hard-fought game, Briar Cliff is a good team, and we were ready to take our chances,” Weides said.

Briar Cliff finishes the year 8-8-3 and 4-4-2 in conference play. The Bulldogs improved to 11-8 and 7-3 in conference play. Concordia moves on to the championship match played on Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. inside Bulldog Stadium against the fourth-seeded Morningside Mustangs.