Women’s Soccers Wins GPAC Tournament

Photo Courtesy of Sower Staff

By Erik Cumley

Concordia women’s soccer defeated the Jamestown Jimmies on Friday April 9 to win the Great Plains Athletic Conference Tournament. The bulldogs were able to pull at 2-1 over the Jimmies. The Bulldogs were able to get what they needed to get done. 

“I feel like we did what we needed to get done. We played really good defense and took advantage of our opportunities on offense” Assistant coach Chris Luther. “Lindsey Carley’s save on the PK was huge, defensively it was a big stand.”

While in a cold and rainy game both teams were sliding trying to get an opportunity to score. The first score wouldn’t come until the 51st minute. That was a corner kick taken by sophomore Lina Kirst who would place it perfectly for junior Cheyenne Smith who was able to sneak it in past the goalkeeper.

Just ten minutes later junior Bethany Fuchs would also score a goal. Fuchs would get passed the defenders and shoot, however her first shot was blocked. She remained focused and found the rebound for a second shot and this time she would score. 

The Jamestown Jimmies would not go quietly into the night as they fired off 19 total shots with 14 of them being on goal. However, senior goalkeeper Lindsey Carley made 13 crucial saves including a penalty kick throughout the match. Jamestown’s one goal came from Autumn Opperud in the 71st minute. 

That would be the last time the Jimmies scored but it most certainly was not their last opportunity. Within the final minutes Jamestown would fire off multiple shots trying to tie the game. But in the end the Bulldogs were the ones to hold the GPAC trophy and banner up.

The preseason polls placed the Bulldogs at sixth. Concordia ended up tying for second with a overall record of 11-6-2. Going into the tournament they were seeded third and by the end of it they were on top. Throughout the season Concordia has dealt with much. Ranging from the pandemic of COVID-19 to having to wait a whole four months to playing the postseason. Luther is proud of his Bulldogs after this whole season.

“They stepped up to the challenge, it’s been a lot of hard work. Luther said. “This is just fantastic.”

As of right now the Bulldog wont know who they play in the National Tournament, national qualifiers, pairings, and site assignments will be announced on Monday April 12 at 11 a.m.