Game Time:

• The Dordt University women's soccer team is set to make the short trip to Sioux City, Iowa, on Wednesday for a conference match against Morningside
• start time on Wednesday, Oct. 8 is set for 8pm at the Elwood Olsen Stadium
• Dordt has won three straight matches and is unbeaten over its last five for a 4-0-1 GPAC record, 5-3-2 overall
• Morningside has won three straight matches as well and is 3-1 in conference play, 6-1-2 overall
• Watch the match live via the Morningside webcast at the link below:
  • Watch |
• Live Stats are also available for all of the Defenders' matches, both home and away
  • Live Stats | 

All-Time:

• Wednesday's match will be the 30th all-time in the rivalry between Dordt and Morningside
• the Defenders trail the series 14-15, dating back to the first ever match played in 2001
• the teams have split the last 10 matches
• Dordt lost to the Mustangs last year 2-1
  • Morningside went up 2-0 with goals in the 16th and 30th minute
  • Dordt rallied with a second half goal by Karinna Tel at the 68th minute
• Dordt is 3-9 against the Mustangs in Sioux City with its last win on the road in 2023
• Dordt has shutout the Mustangs five times
• the Defenders have been shutout nine times

Schedule Outlook:

• the Defenders play an 18-match schedule this season, seven non-conference and 11 within GPAC play
• Wednesday's match will be the sixth 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 10/07/2025):

• Dordt - 4-0-1, 13pts
• Hastings - 3-0-1, 10pts
• Mount Marty - 3-1-1, 10pts
• Morningside - 3-1, 9pts
• Concordia - 2-1-2, 8pts
• Doane - 2-1-1, 7pts
• Northwestern - 2-2-1, 7pts
• College of Saint Mary - 2-3, 6pts
• Dakota Wesleyan - 1-1-3, 6pts
• Briar Cliff - 1-3, 3pts
• Midland - 0-5, 0pts
• Waldorf - 0-5, 0pts

GPAC Schedule for Wednesday:

• Dordt @ Morningside
• Northwestern @ Briar Cliff
• Dakota State @ Waldorf (non-conference)
• Midland @ Doane
• Concordia @ Hastings

Defenders News and Notes:

• 2025 Record: 4-0-1 (1st in GPAC), 5-3-2 overall
  • last time out: 
    • the Defenders earned a 1-0 victory against College of Saint Mary (Neb.) on Saturday
    • Joslyn Terpstra scored off a rebound from a shot by Karinna Tel late in the first half
    • Lydia Zylstra (5-3-2) made six saves for her third shutout of the season
  • the Defenders have won three straight and are unbeaten in its last five matches
  • 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: 27 / 2.7 per match (2nd in GPAC)
    • total shots: 181 (1st)
    • on-goal: 113
  • goals allowed: 14 / 1.4 per match (5th in GPAC)
    • total shots allowed: 135
    • on-goal allowed: 75
  • have not given up a goal in over four matches (402 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)
  • Karinna Tel - 65 shots (1st in GPAC), 45 on-goal (1st in GPAC)
  • Jenna Roberts - 3 goals, 5 assists (T3rd in GPAC)
  • Joslyn Terpstra - 3 goals, 4 assists (5th in GPAC)
  • Maria Zylstra - 2 goals, 5 assists (T3rd in GPAC)
  • Lydia Zylstra (5-3-2) - 58 saves (3rd in GPAC)
  • Lydia Zylstra - 879 minutes
  • Abi Keltner - 807 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 - Morningside Mustangs

• 2025 Record: 3-1 (4th GPAC), 6-1-2 overall
  • won three straight matches, 4 of last 5
  • defeated (RV) Concordia 3-1 last time out on Saturday, Oct.4
    • trailed 1-0 at halftime
    • netted three second half goals at the 46th, 58th and 73rd minutes
      • Trinay Garcia scored the first one while Keyara Harmon netted the last two
    • Mariah Dixon (5-1-1) made three saves
• Head Coach: Tom Maxon (25th year)
  • began the program in 2000 and has been the only coach in program history
  • led the Mustangs to the national tournament 3x, most recently in 2015
• Conference: Great Plains Athletic Conference (12 teams)
  • picked 4th in preseason coaches poll
• 2024 record: 6-3-2 (T4th w/ BCU), 8-6-4 overall
  • def. Briar Cliff in GPAC Quarterfinal
  • lost to top-seed Hastings 2-0 in GPAC semifinal
• return seven starters, 13 players
  • return 19 of 28 goals scored, 8 of 24 assists
• 2025, by the numbers:
  • goals - 24 (2.7 per match - 3rd in GPAC)
  • goals allowed - 6 (.7 per match - 2nd in GPAC)
• key returners:
  • Melissa Tsatiris (all-conference)
  • Tuva Hammarlund (all-conference)
  • Keyera Harmon (all-conference)
  • Lily Sidel (all-conference)
• Statistical Leaders for the 2025 season:
  • Goals:
    • Melissa Tsatiris - 6 (6th in GPAC)
    • Tuva Hammarlund -5 (T9th in GPAC)
    • Keyera Harmon- 5 (T9th in GPAC)
  • Assists:
    • Tuva Hammarlund - 3
    • Emma Feigl - 3
  • Saves:
    • Moriah Dixson - 31 assists; allowed only six goals all season