The Dordt University women's soccer team came away with a 1-0 win on the road against Hastings in the semifinals of the the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) Postseason Tournament.
This is the Defenders first trip back to the GPAC Championship since they won it in 2008 where they defeated Hastings by a score of 1-0.
Lydia Zylstra played a pivotal role in tonight's shutout. Zylstra came away with multiple stops that kept Hastings off the scoreboard. Zylstra came out to her 6-yard box to smother a scoring chance for Hastings off a cross into the box that broke through the back line.
Hasting's best opportunity came off a penalty kick in the 19th minute. Miley Prine shot it to Zylstra's left but Zylstra read it perfectly and saved the penalty to keep the clean sheet.
The Defenders finally broke through in the second half in the 62nd minute on a tricky corner kick. Ellie Stuart set up for the corner but as she was passing it off for Karinna Tel to take, she touched the ball, putting it in play. Karinna Tel then took a touch just on the outside of the 18-yard box and finished it with her left foot at the near post, past goalkeeper, Jackson Pedersen.
By the numbers:
- The Defenders put up five shots, two on goal
- Hastings out shot the Defenders with 22 shots, 10 on goal
- Lydia Zylstra was perfect with 10 saves and no goals allowed
- Jackson Pedersen came away with one save and one goal allowed
Dordt Notes:
- Tel scored her 19th goal of the season and has an even 50 points going into the championship game
- Ellie Stuart notched her third assist of the season
- Zylstra's 10 saves is her season high
- The Defenders are now 3-6 in the GPAC Tournament against Hastings
- This is the their first win over Hastings since 2008 when they defeated them by a score of 1-0 in the GPAC Championship
- This is the fifth shutout against Hastings
The Defenders will travel to Fremont, Nebraska to take on the MIdland Warriors in the GPAC Championship round and a chance to go to the NAIA National Tournament. The game will be played on Friday, November 10 in Fremont, Nebraska. Time is TBA.
