The Dordt University men's soccer team erupted for three second-half goals to secure a commanding 3-0 victory over Bethel (Kan.) in the Defenders home opener played under the lights on Friday night.
The Defenders earned their first win of the season, improving to 1-1-1; Bethel slips to 1-1.
After a scoreless first half, Dordt broke through in the 67th minute when senior forward Tyson Reitsma netted the Defenders first goal off a well-placed assist from Nolan Karel and Julian Janssen.
Just over 13 minutes later, Marco Laenen doubled the lead with a fantastic finish off a setup from Enzo Lira de Paula, who proved to be a spark coming off the Defenders bench. Lira de Paula wasn't done—he added a second assist in the final minute of regulation, feeding Henry Haufler for Dordt's third and final goal.
The Defenders dominated the stat sheet, outshooting the Threshers 17-5, including a 12-2 advantage in the second half. Goalkeeper Shadrach Jaeger recorded the clean sheet, needing just one save, thanks to a disciplined back line of Anton Forsch, Levi Jaeger and Pedro Menezes.
By the Numbers:
- Dordt outshot Bethel 17-5, including an 8-1 advantage with shots on-goal
- Tate Hansen led the way with two shots on-goal; six other Defenders tallied one shot on goal each
- 21 Defenders played in tonight's match, led by Levi Jaeger, Anton Forsch and Shad Jaeger, who all played a full 90 minutes
- Shad Jaeger (1-0), making his first career start, earned the shutout
- Kian Medeiros recorded the one shot on-goal for Bethel
- Samuel Hernandez (1-1) made five saves in net for the Threshers
Notes:
- the Defenders three goals scored tonight is the most in a match since their 4-2 win over Doane last season (Oct.5)
- this is the second consecutive shutout for the Defenders; their first back-to-back shutouts since the 2023 season (vs DWU and Mount Marty)
- Reitsma scored his eighth career goal and 26th point
Up Next:
- Dordt will host Providence (Mont.) on Thursday, Sept. 4 at 6:15pm
