Game Time:

• the Dordt University women's soccer team is to host College of Saint Mary (Neb.) for a conference match-up this weekend
• start time on Saturday, Oct. 4 is set for 2:15pm at the Defenders Soccer Complex
• Watch the match live via the Dordt Media Network at the link below:
  • Watch |
• Live Stats are also available for all of the Defenders' matches, both home and away
  • Live Stats | 

All-Time:

• Dordt is 8-13-1 all-time against the Flames
• the Defenders have won three straight and are 6-3-1 in their last 10 matches against CSM
• last year, Dordt overcame an early 2-0 deficit to defeat the Flames 5-2
• Karinna Tel scored all five goals, three in the first half and two in the second
• Dordt held a 20-12 shots advantage, 9-8 in shots on-goal

GPAC Preseason Poll:

• the Defenders were picked to finish third of 12 teams in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) poll 
• this is the second consecutive season Dordt is picked to finish third
• Dordt totaled 97 points, trailing Hastings (1st) and Concordia (2nd) with 120 and 108 points, respectively
• College of Saint Mary was picked to finish 5th in the GPAC preseason poll

Schedule Outlook:

• the Defenders play an 18-match schedule this season, seven non-conference and 11 within GPAC play
• Saturday's match will be the fifth in conference play for the Defenders
• Dordt will play its final non-conference match on Oct.22 against Dakota State before closing out the regular season at Concordia (Oct.25) and home against Northwestern (Oct.29)
• GPAC postseason tournament play begins with the quarterfinals on Nov.4
• 2025 Schedule | 

GPAC Standings (as of 10/03/2025):

• Dordt - 3-0-1, 10pts
• Concordia - 2-0-2, 8pts
• Hastings - 2-0-1, 7pts
• Mount Marty - 2-1-1, 7pts
• Northwestern - 2-1-1, 7pts
• College of Saint Mary - 2-2, 6pts
• Doane - 2-1, 6pts
• Morningside - 2-1, 6pts
• Dakota Wesleyan - 1-1-2, 5pts
• Briar Cliff - 0-3, 0pts
• Midland - 0-4, 0pts
• Waldorf - 0-4, 0pts

GPAC Schedule for Wednesday:

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

Defenders News and Notes:

• 2025 Record: 3-0-1 (1st in GPAC), 4-3-2 overall
  • last time out: 
    • Dordt defeated Waldorf 7-0 on Wednesday night for its second straight win
    • the seven goals scored was a season-high
    • the Defenders scored three goals in the first 12 minutes and led 6-0 at the break
    • Dordt outshot the Warriors 59-0, 33-0 on-goal
    • Karinna Tel recorded her third hat-trick of the season, 11th of her career
    • Jenna Roberts scored a goal and had two assists
  • Dordt has played three teams that are currently ranked in the NAIA coaches poll
    • Missouri Valley, Eastern Oregon and College of Idaho 
  • the Defenders are unbeaten in their last four matches (3-0-1)
• 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: 26 / 2.9 per match (2nd in GPAC)
    • total shots: 163
    • on-goal: 99
  • goals allowed: 14 / 1.56 per match (7th in GPAC)
    • total shots allowed: 125
    • on-goal allowed: 69
  • have not given up a goal in over three matches (312 minutes)
• 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 - 16 goals (1st in GPAC; tied for 5th in NAIA)
  • Karinna Tel - 57 shots (1st in GPAC), 40 on-goal (1st in GPAC, 8th in NAIA)
  • Jenna Roberts - 3 goals, 5 assists (T3rd in GPAC)
  • Joslyn Terpstra - 2 goals, 4 assists (5th in GPAC)
  • Maria Zylstra - 2 goals, 5 assists (T3rd in GPAC)
  • Lydia Zylstra (4-3-2) - 52 saves (2nd in GPAC)
  • Lydia Zylstra - 789 minutes
  • Abi Keltner - 717 minutes played
• 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 - College of Saint Mary Flames

• 2025 Record: 2-2 (T6th GPAC), 3-8 overall
  • def. Midland 2-1 on Wednesday, Oct.1
    • trailed 1-0 but tied the match with a goal by Emma Klusman during the 33rd minute
    • a goal by Estrada Gomez gave the Flames the lead for good at the 59th minute
    • outshot Midland 17-7 (8-3)
    • Jenna Brown made two saves
  • the win snapped a two-match losing streak (vs Concordia and Northwestern)
• Head Coach: Jamison Parkhill (2nd year)
  • served as an assistant for Iowa Western CC three years
    • won a couple of national titles while at Iowa Western CC
  • also the current head coach at Abe Lincoln H.S.
  • Morningside grad
• Conference: Great Plains Athletic Conference (12 teams)
  • picked 5th in preseason coaches poll
• 2024 record: 5-4-2 (7th in GPAC), 6-9-4 overall
  • lost to Concordia in the GPAC quarterfinals 3-0
• return three starters, 12 players
  • return 12 of 45 goals scored, 13 of 37 assists
• 2025, by the numbers:
  • goals - 17 (1.55 per match - 7th in GPAC)
  • goals allowed - 29 (2.8 per match-10th in GPAC)
• key returners (stats from 2024):
  • Ella Klusman - 7 goals, 5 assists
  • Bella Olsen - 5 goals
  • Abby Ostergaard - 0 goals, 2 assists
  • Aubrey Sharp
• Statistical Leaders for the 2025 season:
  • Goals:
    • Ella Klusman - 5 (8th in GPAC)
    • Bella Olsen - 4 (9th in GPAC)
  • Assists:
    • Ella Klusman - 4 (5th in GPAC)
    • Abby Ostergaard - 3 (10th in GPAC)
  • Saves:
    • Jenna Brown - 41 assists (7th in GPAC)