• Two teams with impressive unbeaten streaks will square off as Dordt University plays host to Northwestern in a Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) match on Wednesday night, Oct. 11. Start time is scheduled for 5pm at the Defender Soccer Complex. 
• The Defenders are unbeaten over its last four matches (3-0-1) and are sixth in the current GPAC standings with a 3-2-1 record, 6-4-2 overall. Northwestern is unbeaten in its last six matches (4-0-2) and is tied for third in the league standings with a 4-1-2 record, 8-3-2 overall. 
• Follow the match:
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Defenders vs. ?orthwester?

Whip out the flannels cause tonight's student section theme is lumberjack! Four lucky students will be selected to participate in the halftime penalty kick contest to win Dordt Soccer gear! pic.twitter.com/ktgGPF8q1b

— Dordt Defender Athletics (@dordtdefenders) October 11, 2023

DEFENDER NOTES | 

All-Time:

• Saturday's match will be the 31sth in the rivalry between Dordt and Northwestern
• the Defenders trail the all-time series 13-16-1 
  • last year: 
    • played to a scoreless draw in a match played in Orange City
  • Dordt is 0-4-1 in the last five vs Northwestern
  • the Defenders are 1-8-1 in the last 10
• first meeting - 1995
• played at least once every season since 1995
  • 2x in both 2004 and 2020
• the teams have played 1x in the postseason (2004, GPAC semi's)
• Dordt is 6-10 all-time at home; 7-6-1 on the road against NW
• the Defenders last victory - 2014 (2-1 in Orange City)
• Defenders last win at home - 2011 (2-1)
• Dordt has shutout Northwestern 6x
• Dordt has been shutout by Northwestern 10x
• most goals scored by Dordt: 4 (1998)
• most goals scored by Northwestern: 6  (2021, 2018)
• total goals scored in the rivalry: Dordt - 37, Northwestern - 51

• Hastings @ Doane
• Waldorf @ Dakota Wesleyan
• Briar Cliff @ Morningside
• University of Jamestown @ Mount Marty

• Northwestern College
  • Head Coach: Dan Swier (16th year)
    • tied for second longest tenured coach in the GPAC 
    • longest tenured and winningest coach in Red Raider program history (148-115-22)
    • 2021 GPAC Coach of the Year after leading team to the GPAC regular season title
    • led Red Raiders to the national tournament in 2021, second time in program history
    • qualified for the GPAC tournament 11 straight years
  • Record: 4-1-2 (T3rd in GPAC), 8-3-2 overall
    • unbeaten in last six matches (4-0-2)
    • tied Midland (1-1) last time out
    • wins over Mount Marty, Jamestown and DWU prior
      • did not give up a goal in the three wins
  • A closer look at the 2023 results:
    • seven shutouts (T1st in GPAC)
    • have not been shutout all season
    • most goals scored - 13 vs Union
    • two matches decided by one goal (1-1)
  • picked 5th in GPAC preseason poll
  • last year: 6-2-3 (4th in GPAC), 7-6-5 overall
    • return 7 starters, 16 players
    • 6 all-conference players return
    • 13 of 32 goals scored, 14 of 25 assists return
  • 2023 by the Numbers:
    • goals: 3.1 match (2nd) - 41 scored
    • goals against: 1.0 (3rd) - 13 given up
  • Key Players / GPAC rank-if top 10:
    • Stan van den Beld - 9 goals (T1st), 1 assist - 2x all-conference
    • Tim Kaltenberger - 8 goals (4th), 1 assist
    • Riley Aarbo - 3 goals, 4 assists - all-conference
    • Luc Roelofs - 1 goal, 6 assists - 2x all-conference
    • Johannes von Saldern - 3 goals, 1 assist 
    • Pablo Aspas - 43 saves (4th), 1.1 goals against (6-3-2 record), 5 shutouts

DEFENDER NOTES | 

• 3-2-1 (6th in GPAC), 6-4-2 overall
• unbeaten in last four matches (3-0-1)
  • def. Midland, Dakota Wesleyan and Mount Marty
  • tied Morningside 1-1 last time out
• 1/2 game in back of Hastings, 1 game in back of Morningside and Northwestern
• A closer look at the 2023 results:
  • five shutouts (3rd in GPAC)
  • been shutout 4x
  • most goals scored - 18 vs Union (school record)
  • four matches decided by one goal (1-3)
• 2023 by the Numbers:
  • goals: 2.9 match (3rd)
  • goals against: .75 (2nd)
  • 5 shutouts (3rd)
• Key Players:
  • Jacob Narkis - 5 goals (8th), 4 assists (6th)
  • Blake Hansen - 4 goals (T10th), 3 assists (10th)
  • Javier Moscardo - 3 goals, 3 assists
  • Mitchell Dryden - 4-2-1 record, 32 saves, .7 goals against (5th)
  • Brandon Hansen - 2-2-1 record, 17 saves, .62 goals against (4th)