Game Time:

• The Dordt University women's soccer team returns to the pitch this weekend as they open conference play against Midland
• game time is set for Saturday, Sept. 20 at 4:15 on the Defenders Soccer Complex
• Saturday's match will also be senior day
• Dordt has not played since Sept.6, a two-week layoff, and is 1-3-1 this season; Midland is 1-3-1
• 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:

• Saturday's match will be the 34th in the rivalry between Dordt and Midland
• the Defenders trail the all-time series 13-18-2
• last year, the team played to a 2-2 draw in the conference opener for both teams played in Fremont, Neb.
  • scoreless after the first half, Dordt scored two goals in the first five minutes of the second half
    • Joslyn Terpstra scored the first off an assist by Karinna Tel; Tel netted the second from an assist by Abby Worthy
    • Midland scored both of its goals in the 61st and 65th minutes; Addison Castellanos netted the first goal
• Midland has had the upper hand of late in the rivalry, winning 10 of the last 11 matches
• Dordt last defeated the Warriors 1-0 in 2020 in Fremont, Neb.

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
• Midland was picked eighth 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 begins a stretch of nine consecutive conference match-ups
• 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 | 

Defenders News and Notes:

• 2025 Record: 1-3-1
  • last time out: 
    • lost to #9 Missouri Valley 2-1 in Marshall, Mo.
    • Dordt trailed 1-0 at halftime until Karinna Tel tied the match with a goal during the 66th minute, assisted by Jenna Roberts
    • Lydia Zylstra made 12 saves
  • Dordt has played three teams that are currently ranked in the NAIA coaches poll
    • Missouri Valley, Eastern Oregon and College of Idaho
• 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: 10
    • total shots: 61
    • on-goal: 39
  • goals allowed: 12
    • total shots allowed: 88
    • on-goal allowed: 50
• 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 - 8 goals (tied for 7th in NAIA)
  • Karinna Tel - 29 shots, 19 on-goal
  • Lydia Zylstra (1-3-1) - 35 saves
  • Abi Keltner - 450 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 - Midland University Warriors

• 2025 Record: 1-3-1
  • lost 5-0 to Wayne State (Neb.) last time out on Sept.13
    • trailed 1-0 at half; allowed four second half goals
    • outshot 36-2
  • only win was a 1-0 victory against York (Sept.3)
  • tied Dakota State (1-1) on August 30
  • lost to Benedictine (Kan.) and Kansas Wesleyan
• Head Coach: Keri Heedum (2nd year)
  • hired in the spring of 2024
  • 20 years of coaching soccer, all different levels
  • served as the Youth Director at BVB International Academy in Texas prior to Midland
  • played and coached at Xavier University
• Conference: Great Plains Athletic Conference (12 teams)
  • picked 8th in preseason coaches poll
• 2024 record: 4-4-3 (8th); 4-5-3 overall
  • lost to top-seed Hastings 4-0 in GPAC quarterfinals
• return 3 starters, 4 players
  • return 5 of 22 goals scored, 2 of 8 assists
  • 20 new players (freshmen or transfers)
• 2025, by the numbers:
  • goals - 3 (0.6 per match)
  • goals allowed - 15 (3 per match)
• key returners (stats from 2024):
  • Nataija Blaylock - 3 goals, 2 assists
  • Addison Castellanos - 2x all-conference, 1 goal
  • Madalyn Flynn
  • Brooklyn Tejral - 1 goal
• Statistical Leaders for the 2025 season:
  • AnneMarie Oilepo - 2 goals, 5 shots on-goal
  • Ava Brandt (1-2-1) 17 saves, 2.72 GAA