The Event: 

• The Dordt University women's soccer team will continue its 2024 season with a home match against College of Saint Mary (Neb.) this weekend. Start time on Saturday, Oct.12 is set for 2pm.
• The Defenders and College of Saint Mary are tied for second in the current GPAC standings with a 4-1 record, trailing Hastings by two full games (6pts)

All-Time:

• Saturday's match will be the 22nd in the rivalry between the two programs, dating back to the first ever match-up during the 1999 season
• Dordt trails the all-time series 7-13-1 but has won two straight and is 5-4- over its last 10 matches
• last year, Dordt earned a 5-1 home win against the Flames on Sept.16
  • the Defenders led 2-0 at intermission after first half goals scored by Karinna Tel and Ellie Stuart
  • Tel's goal came during the first 90 seconds of the match
  • Dordt scored three goals in the second half, all within the first 21 minutes of the final frame
  • Joslyn Terpstra netted two goals and Stuart scored her second of the match in the final half
  • Addy Ridout netted the Flames only goal during the 87th minute
• most goals scored by Dordt - 5 (2023)
• most goals given up by Dordt - 8 (2001)
• Dordt has shut out College of Saint Mary 3x (2022, 2017, 2004)
• the Defenders have been shutout five times against the Flames but not since 2016
• the teams have played two overtime matches in their history (2018, 2020)
• one match (2020) ended in a tie

Around the GPAC: 

•  10 teams, five matches, are scheduled for Saturday: 
  • College of Saint Mary @ Dordt
  • Dakota Wesleyan @ Doane
  • Briar Cliff @ Midland
  • Morningside @ Concordia
  • Waldorf @ Hastings
• one match was played on Friday night:
  • Northwestern def. Mount Marty 3-0
• GPAC Standings:
  • Hastings: 6-0, 18pts
  • Dordt: 4-1-1, 13pts
  • College of Saint Mary: 4-1-1, 13pts
  • Doane: 2-1-3, 9pts
  • Dakota Wesleyan: 3-3, 9pts
  • Northwestern: 3-4 9pts
  • Midland: 2-1-2 8pts
  • Morningside: 2-2-2, 8pts
  • Briar Cliff: 2-3-1, 7pts
  • Concordia: 2-3, 6pts
  • Mount Marty: 1-6, 3pts
  • Waldorf: 0-6

In the Rankings:

• Hastings is the only team from the GPAC recognized in the latest NAIA Coaches' poll
• the Broncos received votes in the poll announced Oct.2

Preseason Polls:

• the Defenders were picked to finish third of 12 teams in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) poll released last week
• Dordt totaled 96 points, trailing Hastings (1st) and Concordia (2nd)
• College of Saint Mary was picked seventh in the conference preseason poll

Schedule Outlook:

• this will be the seventh match in conference play for the Defenders, just over half way among hte GPAC schedule
• eight teams qualify for the GPAC Tournament, beginning on Nov.2 with the quarterfinals
• the GPAC Championship will be on Nov.12
• 2024 Schedule | 

Scouting Report on College of Saint Mary:

• 2024 record: 5-4-3 overall, 4-1-1 (T2nd in the GPAC)
  • last time out:
    • tied Doane (1-1) at home on Oct.9
    • trailed 1-0 until a goal by Ella Klusman in the 85th minute tied the match
    • Alivia Schade made two saves
    • the Flames outshot Doane 6-3
• Head Coach: Jamison Parkhill (1st year)
  • hired in March of 2024
  • spent last three years as an assistant coach for Iowa Western Community College where he won back-to-back national titles
  • also serves as the boys' soccer coach for Council Bluffs Abe Lincoln H.S.
  • graduated from Morningside College
• 2023 Record:  
  • 5-4-3 (6th in GPAC), 7-6-5 overall
  • lost to Midland 4-0 in the GPAC Quarterfinals
• return six starters, 20 players
  • return four all-conference players
  • return 18 of the 24 goals scored last season
  • return all three goalies from 2023
• by the numbers (based on 2024 stats)
  • goals scored: 37 (3.08 / match - 2nd in GPAC) 
  • goals against: 11 (.92 / match - 5th in GPAC) 
• Key Players (Honors / 2024 stats)
  • Marissa Ring (all-conference) - 5 goals (T10th), 5 assists (5th)
  • Ella Klusman - 5 goals (T10th), 4 assists (7th)
  • Libbie Brezenski - 5 goals (T10th), 1 assist
  • Abbie Anderson (3x all-conference) - 3 goals, 4 assists (7th)
  • Kylie Anderson (2x all-conference) - 4 goals, 2 assists; earned GPAC Player of the Week honors earlier this year
  • Alivia Schade (all-conference) - 50 saves (5th), 1.00 GAA - earned GPAC Defensive Player of the Week honors earlier this year

Defenders News and Notes:

• 2024 record: 8-2-1, 4-1-1 (T2nd in GPAC)
  • best start since the 2009 season, third best start in program history
    • last time out: lost to Morningside 2-1 on Wednesday night
      • trailed 2-0 at halftime
      • Karinna Tel scored midway into second half
      • Jenna Wright made eight saves
• Head Coach: Alex Durbin (5th year)
  • 38-29-7 overall record
  • qualified for the postseason tournament each year
• 2023 record: 12-6-2 overall, 7-3-2 GPAC (T4th)
  • lost to Midland 4-3 (2 OT) in GPAC championship
  • Dordt led GPAC in goals (58) and goals / game (2.9)
• return six starters, 19 players
  • four all-conference players return
  • 10 of 11 top goal scorers return
  • #1 and #2 goalkeepers return
  • return 57 of the 58 goals scored
• 2024, by the numbers:
  • goals scored: 45, 4.1 / match (1st in GPAC)
  • assists: 40 (1st in GPAC)
  • goals allowed: 10, .91 / match (4th in GPAC)
  • saves: 54 (6th)
• Defender Notes:
  • the Defenders have qualified for the GPAC postseason tournament eight consecutive seasons, 20 of 24 overall
  • Jenna Wright was named both the NAIA and GPAC Defensive Player of the Week (Sept.10)
    • Wright is the first Defenders player to earn the national honor since Elianna Van Hulzen in 2020
    • Wright's 21 saves is the most by a Dordt player for sure since 2006
  • Karinna Tel was named the GPAC Player of the Week 2x - August 27, Oct.2
  • Stats Leaders / GPAC rankings:
    • Karinna Tel - 18 goals (1st, T4th in NAIA), 44pts (1st in GPAC, T2nd in NAIA), 8 assists (T2nd)
    • Joslyn Terpstra - 8 goals (T5th), 8 assists (T2nd), 24pts (4th)
    • Ellie Stuart - 4 goals, 2 assists
    • Jenna Roberts - 2 goals, 4 assists (7th)
    • Jenna Wright - .95 GAA (4th), 52 saves (4th)
  • last time Dordt recorded a shutout:
    • vs Doane (Oct.5)
  • last time Dordt was shutout:
    • vs Hastings, Oct. 25  2023
  • Dordt has scored at least one goal in 15 straight matches
  • Tel became the program's career assist leader in the win vs Doane