Game Time:

• The Dordt University men's soccer team will make its home debut for the 2025 season as they play host to Bethel (Kan.) under the lights on Friday night, August 29. Kickoff is slated for 7pm at the Defenders Soccer Complex. 
• all home matches for the 2025 season are available to watch via the Dordt Media Network:
  • Watch |
• Live Stats are also available for all of the Defenders matches, both home and away
  • Live Stats | 

All-Time:

• this will be the first ever match-up between Dordt and Bethel

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 play a 17-match schedule in 2025, featuring a 10-match conference slate and seven non-conference matches
• 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:

• 2025 Record: 0-1-1
  • the Defenders opened their season with a pair of road matches last weekend, losing to Trinity Christian 2-0 and playing to a scoreless draw against the University of St.Francis (Ill.)
• Head Coach: Eric Bourdo (3rd year)
  • spent four years as ass't at Dordt before being named head coach (2019 - 2022)
  • guided the Defenders to a 9-7-4 record his first season in 2023, tied for the most wins in a season since 2014
  • Defenders have qualified for the GPAC tournament in each of the previous two seasons under Bourdo
    • lost in the GPAC semi's in 2023
• By the Numbers, 2025:
  • goals scored: 0
    • total shots: 22
    • on-goal: 8
  • goals allowed: 2
    • total shots allowed: 17
    • on-goal allowed: 8
• in 2024:
  • 4-3-3 (6th place in GPAC), 6-8-4 overall
    • lost to Northwestern in GPAC Quarterfinals
• return nine starters, 18 players from 2024
• statistical leaders:
  • Marco Laenen - 4 total shots
  • 8 different players tied with one shot on-goal
  • JD Petitt - 6 saves (0-1-1 record)
  • Levi Jaeger, JD Petitt - 180 minutes played
• returning all-conference players:
  • Marco Laenen (2023)
  • Nolan Karel (2024)
  • Tyson Reitsma (2x, 2022 and 2024)
  • Levi Jaeger (2024)

Scouting Report on the Bethel Threshers:

• 2025 Record: 1-0
  • opened the season with a 3-2 win at home vs Oklahoma Panhandle State on Tuesday, August 26
  • led 2-0 at halftime, up 3-1 after a goal during the 76th minute
  • outshot 15-12 but held a 5-4 edge with shots on-frame
  • three different players scored a goal (Balvanz, Braggs, Okita)
  • Samuel Hernandez made two saves
• Head Coach: Juan Zamora (1st year)
  • spent last two years as assistant
  • played at Friends University where he earned All-American honors
  • all-time leading goal scorer at Friends
• Conference: Kansas Collegiate Athletic (14 teams)
  • preseason poll: picked 6th
  • No.5 Oklahoma Wesleyan was picked 1st
• last year's record: 8-3-3 (4th place), 9-8-3 overall
  • hosted a KCAC Quarterfinal for 1st time in history and defeated Saint Mary 2-0
  • lost in KCAC Semifinals to Oklahoma Wesleyan
• return two starters, nine players
  • return 10 of 45 goals scored, 7 of 28 assists
• key players:
  • Gabriel Okita (returning starter): 1 goal this season
    • top returning scorer (7 goals, 6 assists last year)
  • Aden Braggs (returning starter): 1 goal this season
    • scored two goals last year
  • Braden Balvanz - 1 goal scored
  • Seif Ghodhbani - 1 assist