OMAHA, Neb. – College of Saint Mary soccer battled strong winds and a tough Concordia University squad Wednesday afternoon.

The Bulldogs defeated CSM 1-0 in the Great Plains Athletic Conference contest.

With the loss, the Flames fall to 4-3 in the GPAC and 7-5-1 overall. Concordia improves to 3-3-2, 8-3-2.

"It was a game where I felt we did everything we could to win for most of it," CSM Coach Jordan Irsik said. "It was just unfortunate."

Neither team scored in the opening half as the squads went into intermission at 0-0.

"They had the wind in the first half and we had the wind in the second half," Irsik said. "The wind was a big factor in the first half with it coming at us. We did what we could to contain early. We were happy to be 0-0 at halftime with the elements the way they were."

Irsik said the Flames came out of the break with confidence and worked hard. She said CSM had some good opportunities.

But, unfortunately, the lone goal of the game went to the Bulldogs.

Concordia's Niah Kirchner scored at 53:13 with the assist going to Lisa McClain.

"They countered on us," Irsik said. "Liv (Schade) made the initial save, but it made a bounced and landed with them for the goal. It was an unlucky bounce"

CSM outshot Concordia 13-10 in the game. Starting goalkeeper Gabby Felker (JR/Omaha, Neb.) had two saves for the Flames, while Alivia Schade (SO/Kearney, Neb.) finished with three saves in the second half. Kalie Ward got the shutout with four saves for Concordia.

The Flames return to action Saturday with another GPAC contest. CSM travels to Doane University for a 1 p.m. showdown.