Men’s soccer takes semifinals win against Northwestern Raiders, 3-2
Sophomore defender Michael Wyvill (5) maneuvers the ball around an opponent, heading for the goal.
Photo credit: Josiah Seabaugh
By Maddy Peters
Sports Editor
The Concordia men’s soccer team defeated the Northwestern College Red Raiders 3-2 Saturday evening in the Great Plains Athletic Conference semifinal game in Seward.
After a stalemate quarterfinal against Briar Cliff University that ended in penalty kicks, the Bulldogs wrapped their next game up in regulation for a ticket to the GPAC championship game.
The first half ended in a defensive gridlock eerily similar to the last time the team met in mid-September. Northwestern outshot Concordia 3-1 and had more corner kicks as well, going 3-2.
Freshman Sean Stratman broke the tie in the 58th minute with his first career goal assisted by junior Oliver Benson. Senior Ryan Wokutch extended Concordia’s lead in the 63rd minute with an unassisted goal.
The Red Raiders would soon tie up the game with an own goal from the Bulldogs in the 66th minute and a penalty kick from Stan van den Beld in the 75th minute.
Senior Martin Herrera would save the game a mere 33 seconds later with the third and winning goal to send the Bulldogs to the championship. He was assisted by a soft touch pass from sophomore Kai Olbrich.
Junior Nolan Fuelberth was the goalie for the game with two saves and two goals allowed. Both of Fuelberth’s saves were in the first half.
The second half was a shootout for both teams with 10 shots for the Bulldogs and nine for the Red Raiders. Concordia also edged out Northwestern in corner kicks going 3-2. Sophomore Hugo Garrote was the top shooter for the Bulldogs with three shots and two on goal. Herrera had two with both on goal and senior D’Andre Williams recorded two shots as well.
The Bulldogs have moved to an 8-2-9 overall record. Concordia is set to host the GPAC championship game against Hastings College on Nov. 13. The No. 5 seed Hastings upset the top seed Morningside University with a 2-0 shutout. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Revised 11/10/24 at 3:10 p.m.
