Seniors shine in men’s soccer victory over Bellevue 

Concordia men’s soccer seniors celebrate Senior Night with friends and family

Photo: Max Fritsche

By Keith Siek

After a two-game road slump to begin the season, the Bulldogs shut out Bellevue University in Bulldog Stadium, 2-0 on September 2. On a day when the seniors were honored for their accomplishments, they took center stage to claim Concordia’s first win of the season.

Senior Hugo Garrote from Jerez De La Frontera, Spain, created offensive chances for the Bulldogs, taking the team’s two corner kicks, one of which scored Concordia’s first goal in the game. Garrote shot from the left corner with 15-minutes left in the first half and whipped it into the far corner off the post to go up 1-0.

“We try to put the ball as close to the keeper as we can, and this time it went in,” Garrote said. “That’s the goal, to put the ball there.”

Throughout the matchup, Garrote sensed that this game was no ordinary contest, but one full of team growth and support from the fans.

“Today was special. It was senior night; it was our field, our guys, and our family. The guys were ready for that, and we executed,” Garrote said.

Senior Kai Olbrich scored off a perfect touch pass from senior Jasper Hofland to deliver the dagger in the 65th minute of play. The pair of senior Bulldogs attacked a heavy defensive shift that put Olbrich into a one-on-one scoring opportunity on the left side of the field. He didn’t miss.

“The whole game Bellevue shifted really far to one side,” Olbrich said. “Jasper had two guys on him, and he played the perfect ball for me. I decided to take one touch and then finish.”

Olbrich’s cold execution against Bellevue has been brewing since his sophomore year. In the last two contests against the Bruins, Concordia walked away with the loss-not so on Olbrich’s Senior Night.

“It was really fun to get the win on senior night,” Olbrich said. “We beat them my freshman year, and then they beat us back-to-back years.”

Junior Florian Quast had a momentum-shifting moment in the second half of the contest, making a one-on-one save in the open field to prevent what looked like an easy equalizer for Bellevue early in the second half. Moments later, Olbrich brought the stadium to its feet.

Quast shut out Bellevue with five saves in the game, which gives him nine on the season with a .818 save percentage.  

Coach Bernie Ochoa was glad to get the first win as coach under his belt in front of the fans and thought his seniors helped the team to a great performance. 

“I think to win at home means a lot. Tonight was a great first win, ” Ochoa said. “I’m just so happy to be back and hope to continue the success of this program.”

Ochoa was proud of Olbrich’s and Garrote’s performance.

“I am proud of both of them. I’m very happy for them. They’ve worked really hard year in and year out for these moments. This is important to give them confidence, and hopefully they continue to build upon that.”

Olbrich and Garrote were two of eight seniors honored at Senior Night. The other players include: Niko Nareike, Michael Wyvill, Mattis Hollnagel, Hofland, and Jason Payne.

Concordia continues its difficult non-conference schedule on the road against No. 4 William Penn University in Oskaloosa, Iowa, on September 5.