The Event: 

• The Dordt University men's soccer team is set to open its 2025 season with a pair of matches this weekend in the Chicagoland area. The Defenders begin their season on Thursday, August 21 with a match against Trinity Christian at 2:30pm (CST) in Palos Heights, Ill. Following an off day on Friday, Dordt returns to the pitch on Saturday, August 23 for match against St.Francis (Ill.) at 1pm (CST) in Joliet, Ill. 
• follow the live stats at this link: Live Stats
• watch the Trinity Christian match on Thursday at this link: Watch
• watch the St.Francis match on Saturday at this link: Watch

All-Time:

• Dordt is 7-5 all-time against Trinity Christian
  • the Defenders have won four of their last five against TCC
  • Dordt lost 2-0 in an early season match played in Palos Heights, Ill. last season
  • the rivalry against TCC began in 1981 with a 7-0 Dordt victory
• this will be the first ever match played between Dordt and St.Francis

GPAC Preseason Poll:

• the Defenders were picked to finish eighth of 11 teams in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) poll released last week
• Dordt totaled 37 points, 12 points in back of No.7 Dakota Wesleyan and three points in front of No.9 Doane

Schedule Outlook:

• The Defenders will play a 17-match schedule in 2025, featuring a 10-match conference slate and seven non-conference matches
• Dordt will play its home opener next weekend when they face off against Bethel (Kan.) on Friday, August 29
• another home date (Sept.4 vs Providence) will be followed by a pair of road matches against Saint Mary (Kan.) and Saint Ambrose
• Dordt opens GPAC play at home against Midland on Sept. 20
• the Defenders will play their final non-conference match on Oct.4 against Bellevue
• GPAC Tournament play begins with the quarterfinals on Nov.1
• 2025 Schedule | 

Defenders News and Notes:

• Head Coach: Eric Bourdo (3rd year)
  • spent four years as ass't at Dordt prior to being named head coach
• 2024 record: 6-8-4 overall, 4-3-3 (6th in GPAC)
  • lost to Northwestern, 5-1, in GPAC quarterfinals
• return nine starters, 18 players
  • three all-conference players return
    • Levi Jaeger (2nd team)
    • Nolan Karel (HM)
    • Tyson Reitsma (HM)
  • 19 of 25 goals scored, 13 of 18 assists, return
• 2024, by the numbers:
  • goals scored: 25 (7th in GPAC), 1.4 / match (8th in GPAC)
  • 18 assists (7th)
  • goals allowed: 35 (8th), 1.98 (7th)
• Key Returners:
  • Marco Laenen - all-conference (2023), 5 goals, 2 assists
  • Jacob Narkis - 4 goals, 2 assists
  • Nolan Karel - all-conference (2024), 3 goals
  • Anton Forsch - 2 goals
  • Tyson Reitsma - 2x all-conference, 2 goals, 2 assists
  • Levi Jaeger - all-conference (2024)
  • Tate Hansen - 3 assists
  • Pol Calvo - 2 assists
  • Trigve Elkins - 3 goals, 2 assists

Scouting Report - Trinity Christian:

• Head Coach: Gabriel Sitibaldi (3rd year)
  • overall record at TCC: 26-15-5
  • previously the head coach at Williams Baptist (Ark.) for six years
  • is the eighth head coach in program history (began as a program in 1997)
• 2024 record: 7-3 (3rd), 17-7-1 
  • lost to Governors State in conference final 2-0
  • season ended with loss to Judson in the NCCAA postseason tournament
• Conference: Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic (11 teams)
• Trolls return 5 starters, 11 players from 2024
• By the Numbers (based on 2024 stats)
  • goals scored: 60 (2nd), 2.4 / match (3rd)
  • goals against: 26 (4th), 1.04/ match (3rd)
• Key Players Returning (2024 stats)
  • David Hernandez - 16 goals, 8 assists (all-conference)
  • Ivan Perez - 5 goals, 12 assists (all-conference)
  • Ismael Aguero - 5 goals, 3 assists (all-conference)
  • Rafael Torres - 4 goals

Scouting Report - University of St.Francis

• Head Coach: Nigel Dillard (2nd year)
  • overall record: 5-8-2
  • also serves as a coach with the Legacy Soccer Club and for Steel City F.C.
• 2024 record: 5-8-2 overall, 1-7-2 (10th place)
  • did not qualify for postseason
• Conference: Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic (11 teams)
• Saints return 4 starters,10 players
• By the Numbers (based on 2024 stats)
  • goals scored: 33 (6th), 2.3 / match (4th)
  • goals against: 52 (10th), 3.7 / match (10th)
• Key Players Returning (2024 stats)
  • Antwan Esparza - 6 starts, 2 goals
  • Bruno Silva - 2 starts, 1 goal
  • Nathan Sharp - 4 starts
  • Dylan Frank - 6 starts
  • Armani Lagunas - 3 starts