Dekota Schubert wasn’t shy about why she returned to Hastings College for a fifth year of eligibility.
“It was completely (for) soccer,” the super senior said through a smile last week.
It definitely wasn’t for school. For one, HC doesn’t offer the kind of post-grad education Schubert is seeking — she wants to be a chiropractor when she grows up.
She has plenty of time to do that. The clock, however, is ticking on what has been one of the best women’s soccer careers in the history of the Bronco program, which will turn 30 two seasons from now.
Soon Schubert, who plans to leave school at semester’s end with plenty more than a bachelor’s degree’s worth of credits in her backpack, will lace up her boots for the final time in crimson and white.
She and the No. 17 Broncos hope it’s some time in December. The 9th — the day of the NAIA national championship — if they should be so lucky. The aspirations are high at Lloyd Wilson Field.
Last year, Schubert led the Hastings College back to the NAIA final site for the first time since 2018. That’s where the Broncos’ 2023 story ended, and, to some degree, where Schubert’s final chapter began.
“When we lost last year at nationals, I just wasn’t satisfied,” she said, “and just felt like I had more to offer.”
Coach Jade Ovendale thought the opposite. Having been at the helm for exactly as long as Schubert’s been a Bronco, Ovendale was prepared for their run together to sadly be over.
“I honestly thought she wasn’t gonna come back, especially when we went to the Sweet 16,” Ovendale said. “I thought this was a nice way to end her career.”
An emotional Schubert, in the immediate aftermath of the 4-0 loss to Central Methodist, emphatically announced that wasn’t her last game as a Bronco.
Ovendale wanted her to think it over through the holidays.
When they met after the winter break, Schubert’s desires remained the same.
The Castle Rock, Colo., native wants team success as bad as anyone — conference championships have returned as the program’s standard after a five-year drought.
She also knew, through a little math, she was close to some individual history.
After last season, Schubert had 51 career goals and 38 assists, which put her at 140 career points. That was 35 points from Megan Kruse’s career points mark set during her four year career from 2013-16.
“I knew I was that close to those records and had more I wanted to accomplish, I guess,” Schubert said.
On Oct. 19, 16 games into the season, Schubert overtook Kruse on the points list with a game-winning goal in the final minute to top Dordt 2-1.
“On a corner (kick), as well,” Ovendale said. “She’s had so many of them. It doesn’t matter what you write up on tactics, it was just a moment of magic and why we all love sports.”
As it stands, Schubert’s 175 points rank her second in Great Plains Athletic Conference history behind Concordia’s Jennifer Davis (203).
Schubert needs five more goals to overtake Kruse (69) in career goals. She already is the assists leader, besting Kruse last season.
That’s more to chase for Schubert, who has helped the Broncos so far to a 12-1-5 record, including a spotless 8-0-3 in conference play.
The pursuit, from a team perspective, is now on to pull off a “double-double” of conference championships. That is winning the regular season and the tournament titles, which has not been done since 2018.
With Schubert’s game-winner against Dordt, the Broncos clinched the regular season crown for a second consecutive fall — the first time they’ve done so since 2015-16.
Hastings missed out on the conference tournament championship last season by losing to Dordt in the semifinals.
“We are really motivated to win both,” Schubert said.
Added Ovendale: “Going through conference undefeated is still a goal of ours. I think that’s something the girls want to do, as well.”
For Schubert, a three-time first-team selection in the GPAC and All-American honorable mention (2022), she’d also like to be recognized as the league’s best.
“I would love to be GPAC player of the year, but if I don’t get it that’s OK,” Schubert said. “The only thing I care about is my team and winning conference and nationals. Whatever happens with that stuff it is what it is. I just want to succeed as a team.”