Game Time:

• the Dordt University women's soccer team heads to Seward, Neb. this weekend for a key GPAC match against Concordia
• start time at Bulldog Stadium on Saturday, Oct.25 is set for 3:30pm
• Dordt has won three straight matches and is tied with Doane for third in the current GPAC standings with a 6-2-1 record, 8-5-2 overall
• Concordia has won four straight and is alone in second place in the GPAC with a 6-1-2 record, 11-1-4 overall
• Watch the match live via the GPAC Network at the link below:
  • Watch | $$ required
• Live Stats are also available for all of the Defenders' matches, both home and away
  • Live Stats | 

All-Time:

• Dordt leads the all-time series 14-12-4, dating back to the first match played in 1996
• since the GPAC began (2000), the series is 12-12-4
• last year, the teams split with both winning on their home turf
  • Dordt earned a last-second, 3-2 win at home during the regular season
    • Karinna Tel scored her second of two goals in the final seconds for the win
    • Joslyn Terpstra netted the Defenders first goal
    • leading 2-0 early in the second half, Dordt gave up two Concordia goals (78th and 88th minute)
    • Dordt outshot Concordia 13-11
  • Concordia defeated Dordt 1-0 in the GPAC semifinals played in Seward, Neb.
    • Kierstynn Garner put in the game-winner during the 30th minute
    • Concordia outshot the Defenders 11-7 (7-3 on-goal)
• Dordt is 1-6-3 in its last 10 matches against the Bulldogs
• Dordt's last win in Seward was in 2010 (0-6-1 in its last seven road matches)

Schedule Outlook:

• the Defenders play an 18-match schedule this season, seven non-conference and 11 within GPAC play
• Dordt will conclude the regular season with a home match against Northwestern on Oct.29
• GPAC postseason tournament play begins with the quarterfinals on Nov.4
• 2025 Schedule | 

GPAC Standings (as of October 24):

• Morningside - 7-1-1, 22pts
• Concordia - 6-1-2, 20pts
• Dordt - 6-2-1, 19pts
• Doane - 6-2-1, 19pts
• Hastings - 5-2-2, 17pts
• Dakota Wesleyan - 4-2-3, 15pts
• College of Saint Mary - 4-5, 12pts
• Mount Marty - 3-3-3, 12pts
• Northwestern - 2-5-2, 8pts
• Briar Cliff - 2-6-1, 7pts
• Midland - 1-8, 3pts
• Waldorf - 0-9, 0pts

GPAC Schedule for Saturday:

• Dakota Wesleyan @ College of Saint Mary
• Morningside @ Doane
• Dordt @ (RV) Concordia
• Northwestern @ Midland
• Briar Cliff @ Hastings
• Waldorf @ Mount Marty (Sunday)

Defenders News and Notes:

• 2025 Record: 6-2-1 (T3rd), 8-5-2 overall
  • last time out, defeated Dakota State 7-0 in a non-conference match Wednesday night
    • Dordt led 2-0 at intermission after scoring both goals in the opening two minutes
    • the Defenders scored five more goals in the final 35 minutes
    • Karinna Tel scored two goals and had two assists
    • Maria Zylstra added a goal and a pair of assists
    • Dordt outshot the Trojans 40-1 (20-0 on-goal)
  • Dordt has shutout its last three opponents
  • Dordt has played four teams that are currently ranked in the NAIA coaches poll
    • Missouri Valley, Eastern Oregon, College of Idaho and Hastings
• Head Coach: Payton Chitwood (1st year)
  • hired on March 27, 2025, Chitwood is set to make his Defenders coaching debut this weekend
  • Chitwood is the sixth different individual to lead the Defenders women's program since it began in 1996
  • Chitwood previously served as the head of the Warner University women's program (Fla.) from 2017-24 (8 years)
    • overall record at Warner: 51-81-14
    • named SUN Conference Coach of the Year (2018)
  • Chitwood also served as an assistant coach for Trinity International University from 2011-17
• By the Numbers, 2025:
  • goals scored: 40 / 2.67 per match (3rd in GPAC)
    • total shots: 271 (3rd)
    • on-goal: 159 (2nd)
  • goals allowed: 20 / 1.33 per match (6th in GPAC)
    • total shots allowed: 189
    • on-goal allowed: 103
• in 2024:
  • 7-3-1 (3rd in GPAC), 12-5-1 overall
    • lost to Concordia 1-0 in GPAC semifinals
• return 13 players who started at least one match in 2024
• statistical leaders:
  • Karinna Tel - 20 goals (1st in GPAC; 6th in NAIA), 7 assists (3rd in GPAC)
  • Karinna Tel -92 shots (1st in GPAC), 59 on-goal (1st in GPAC)
  • Maria Zylstra - 5 goals, 8 assists (2nd in GPAC)
  • Jenna Roberts - 4 goals, 6 assists (T5th in GPAC)
  • Joslyn Terpstra - 3 goals, 5 assists (T8th in GPAC)
  • Lydia Zylstra (8-5-2) - 79 saves (4th in GPAC)
  • Lydia Zylstra - 1,329 minutes
  • Abby Worthy - 1,190 minutes
• returning all-conference players:
  • Karinna Tel - GPAC Player of the Year (2x); 2x NAIA All-American, career points, goals and assists leader
  • Joslyn Terpstra - 1st team; single season record holder with 16 assists
  • Abby Worthy - 2nd team
  • Paige Miller - Honorable Mention
  • Hayden Jennett - Honorable Mention

Scouting Report - (RV) Concordia

• 2025 Record: 6-1-2 (2nd in GPAC) 11-1-4 overall
  • won four straight
  • last time out, def. Dakota Wesleyan in Mitchell, S.D.
    • Elena Ruiz scored the lone goal during the 68th minute
    • Aliyo Vidro (5-1-1) made one save
    • Concordia outshot DWU 7-1
• Head Coach: Nick Smith (3rd year)
  • hired in March of 2023
  • previously served as an ass't for both men's and women's programs at Lourdes University
• Conference: Continental Athletic Conference (9 teams)
• Conference: Great Plains Athletic Conference (12 teams)
  • picked 2nd in preseason coaches poll
• 2024 record: 8-3 (2nd in GPAC), 14-7-1 overall
  • lost to Hastings in GPAC Championship
  • def. Benedictine (Kan.) in the opening round of NAIA National Championship
  • lost to #5 Aquinas (Mich.) in 2nd round
• return 10 starters, 21 players from last year
• return 44 of 52 goals scored
• 2025, by the numbers:
  • goals - 50, 3.1 / match (1st)
  • goals allowed - 16, 1 / match (4th)
• Statistical Leaders for the 2025 season:
  • Goals:
    • Kierstynn Garner - 17 (2nd)
    • Kyana Rios - 9 (T4th)
  • Assists:
    • Kierstynn Garner - 10 (1st)
    • Savannah Andrews - 4
  • Saves:
    • Aliya Vidro (5-1-1) - 31
    • Grady Smith (3-0-2) - 10
    • Aaliyan Matthews (3-0-1) - 17