Game Time... The Dordt University women's soccer team resumes its 2022 season as they co-host, along with Northwestern, the Pizza Ranch Classic, this weekend (Sept.2-3). Both Dordt matches will be played at the Defender Soccer Complex. On Friday night, Dordt hosts Carroll (Mont.) for an 8:15pm kickoff and will return to its home pitch to play Ottawa (Kan.) on Saturday at 6pm. 

Although not its home opener, this weekend's matches will be the first under the lights for the Defenders. 

• Schedule: 
  • Friday, Sept. 2
    • Dordt vs. Carroll (8:15pm)
    • Northwestern vs. Ottawa (7:15pm)
  • Saturday, Sept. 3
    • Dordt vs. Ottawa (6pm)
    • Northwestern vs. Carroll (7:15pm)

Follow both Defender matches online, courtesy of the Dordt Media Network | 
Follow the live stats at this link: Live Stats | 

All-Time...Dordt is 1-0 all-time against Carroll as they defeated the Saints by 1-0 score on a neutral field in Rapid City, S.D. near the end of the 1999 season. The Defenders lead the all-time series against Ottawa as well, owning a 2-1 record against the Braves heading into Saturday's match. Dordt has won two straight against Ottawa, earning a 3-2 road win last season.

Last Time Out...Avril Baccam netted a hat trick and a total of five Dordt players scored at least one goal in the Defenders 8-1 home win against Nebraska Wesleyan played last weekend. The eight goals scored is the most since by a Defender women's team since the 2012 season (8-1 win vs AIB) and is tied for the third most in program history. 

Baccam scored the final goal of the first half to put the Defenders in front 5-1. The sophomore then netted the first two goals of the second frame before exiting the game with over 20 minutes left to play. Jori Bronner netted two goals and Ellie Stuart, Karinna Tel and Clarisa Quintanilla all tallied one goal each. 

Scouting Reports...
Carroll : 2-0-1

• tied Mount Royal (1-1), def. University of Lethbridge (3-0) and Providence (5-0)
• Head Coach: David Thorvilson (16th year)
  • All-Time Record: 152-65-31
  • Best Season at Carroll: 2007, his 1st year; 17-2-2; ranked 6th in final poll
  • formerly assistant coach for the Saints (2003)
  • 8 conference titles
• members of the Cascade Collegiate Conference (13 teams)
• picked 8th in CCC preseason coaches poll
  • Oregon Tech was the preseason favorite
• Last Year: 5-6-1 (8th), 6-9-1 overall
  • lost to Oregon Tech (1-0) in CCC Quarterfinals
  • dropped six of its final seven matches
• return six starters, 14 players; top 2 scorers
• By the Numbers (based on 2022 stats):
  • 3.6 goals / match (9 scored on season)
  • .3 goals given up / match (1 given up)
• Top Players:
  • Blair Stapleton (all-conf in 2021) - 4 goals, current CCC player of the week)
  • Emily Funseth - 3 goals
  • Lauren Keith - 2 goals
  • Aryana Jones - 2 goals, 1 assist
  • Sarah Conway (all-conf in 2021) - 12 saves, 1 shutout, .35 goals against

Ottawa : 0-1

• lost to MidAmerica Nazarene 8-0
• Head Coach: Candice Fabry (1st year)
  • All-Time Record: 0-0
  • previously an associate for the Kansas City Courage 
  • worked for the Iowa Soccer Association
• members of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (13 teams)
• picked 6th in KCAC preseason coaches poll
  • #12 Oklahoma Wesleyan was the preseason favorite
• 2021: 5-6-1 (7th), 6-10-2 overall
  • lost to Friends in the KCAC Quarterfinals
• return eight starters, 13 players; top 2 scorers
  • 3 all-conference players return
• By the Numbers (based on last year):
  • 1.2 goals / match (22 scored on season)
  • 1.9 goals given up / match (36 given up)
• Top Players:
  • Reighna Werner - 3x all-conference
  • Denaya Evans - all-conference
  • Alia Morris - all-conference
  • Anna Tropansky - 41 saves, 2.5 goals vs
  • Willow Good - 47 saves, 1.4 goals vs

Defender News and Notes...

• Friday's match vs Carroll will be the first against an NAIA school
• Dordt has outscored its competition 9-8 this season
• Five Defenders have at least one goal scored; led by Avril Baccam with three
• Six Defenders have at least one assist; Karinna Tel leads the team with two
• Jenna Wright leads the Defenders goalkeepers with 16 saves
• Dordt will have 11 days off from competition before its next match, vs Briar Cliff, to open GPAC play