The Event: 

• The Dordt University women's soccer team will begin its 2024 season this weekend with a pair of road matches. The Defenders will play their season opener against William Penn in Oskaloosa, Iowa on Thursday, August 22. Following a travel day on Friday, Dordt will then return to the pitch on Saturday to play (RV) MidAmerica Nazarene in Olathe, Kan.

All-Time:

• this will be the first ever match between Dordt and both William Penn and MidAmerica Nazarene

GPAC Preseason Poll:

• 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)

Schedule Outlook:

• the two matches this weekend begin a stretch of five non-conference matches for the Defenders prior to its GPAC opener against Midland (Sept.18)
• the Defenders will play its home opener next weekend (August 30) vs Avila
• three of the Defenders first six opponents are recognized in the NAIA preseason poll
• GPAC play begins on Wednesday, September 18 against Midland in Fremont, Neb.
• 2024 Schedule | 

Scouting Report on William Penn:

• 2024 record: 0-0
• Head Coach: Kaleb Preston (1st year)
  • previously the assistant coach at IU Kokomo for two seasons
  • is the 10th head coach in program history (began as a program in 1996)
• Conference: Heart of America (12 teams)
• 2023 Record:  4-11-1, 1-9-1 (10th)
  • did not qualify for conference tournament
• return seven starters, 18 players from 2023
  • lost leading scorer and only all-conference player
  • 6 of the 22 goals scored last year return
  • 10 of the 22 assists return
  • #1 goalie returns
• by the numbers (based on 2023 stats)
  • goals scored: 22 (1.4 / match)
  • goals against: 46 (3.1 / match)
• Key Players Returning (2023 stats)
  • Lily Cote - 3 goals
  • Olivia Walker - 2 goals
  • Lacie Kirkle - 3 assists
  • Jacque Schwager - 3 assists
  • Madeline Danielson - 4-11-1 record, 73 saves, 3.13 GAA
• of note:
  • qualified for the NAIA regionals 3x, most recent  in 2006

Scouting Report on (RV) MidAmerica Nazarene:

• 2024 record: 1-0
  • def. #7 John Brown 1-0 on Tuesday, August 20
• • hired in July of 2019
  • led the Pioneers to their highest national ranking (#18) in 2019
  • led Pioneers to second NAIA national tournament
• Conference: Heart of America (12 teams)
• 2023 Record:  10-6-2 overall, 7-3-1 (3rd)
  • lost to Missouri Valley in conference semi's
• return six starters, 14 players from 2023
  • lost leading scorer 
  • return two all-conference players
  • 17 of 41 goals scored last year return
  • 16 of 36 assists return
• by the numbers (based on 2023 stats)
  • goals scored: 41 (2.3 / match)
  • goals against: 20 (1.1 / match)
• Key Players Returning (2023 stats)
  • Bella Leon - 7 goals, 2 assists
  • Emily Carrasco - 4 goals, 5 assists
  • Alyssa Ward - 4 goals, 4 assists
  • Lilja Lidstrom - 2nd team all-conference
  • Chiaki Ota - 3rd team all-conference

Defenders News and Notes:

• Head Coach Alex Durbin - Preseason Interview
• 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
• 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
• 2023, by the numbers:
  • goals scored: 58 (1st in GPAC), 2.9 / match (1st in GPAC)
  • 41 assists (2nd)
  • goals allowed: 34 (6th), 1.6 (6th)
• Key Returners:
  • Karinna Tel - NAIA All-American, GPAC Player of the Year
    • led GPAC in goals (21), points (54); second in assists (12)
  • Joslyn Terpstra - 2nd team all-conference, 11 goals (7th), 8 assists (4th)
  • Ellie Stuart - 2x all-conference, 9 goals (10th), 3 assists
  • Abby Foster - 5 goals, 2 assists
  • Abby Worthy - 2nd team all-conference, 1 goal, 6 assists
  • Ashlyn Marjama - 3 goals, 1 assist
  • Hayden Jennett - 2 goals, 2 assists
  • Keely Kolbrek - 2 goals, 1 assist
  • Eliza Evans - 1 goal, 2 assists
  • Jenna Wright - 2.07 GAA, 34 saves
  • Lydia Zylstra - 1.29 GAA, 67 saves