Game Time:

• The Dordt University men's soccer team makes the trip west for a match-up against Dakota Wesleyan on Wednesday, Sept.24
• this is the first of two road matches the Defenders will play this week
• start time under the lights at the Pepsi-Cola Soccer Complex is set for 5pm
• Dordt is 0-1 in the GPAC, 2-3-2 overall; DWU is 1-0 in the league, 3-5 overall
• Watch the match live via the DWU 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 21st in the rivalry between Dordt and DWU
• Dordt holds an 11-7-2 advantage in the rivalry
• the Defenders lost 2-1 in Sioux Center last year
  • DWU led 1-0 with a goal scored late in the first half
  • the Defenders tied it on a goal by Nolan Karel during the 74th minute
  • the Tigers quickly responded with the game-winner just two minutes later
  • Dordt was outshot 5-4
• Dordt is 6-3-1 in its last 10 matches against DWU, 2-3 in its last five against the Tigers
• the Defenders last win was in 2023 by a 2-0 score
• Dordt is 3-5-2 all-time in matches in Mitchell
• the teams played 2x in 2006, once during the regular season and again during the postseason tournament
• first year of the rivalry: 2006

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
• DWU was picked seventh in the GPAC preseason poll

Schedule Outlook:

• The Defenders play a 17-match schedule in 2025, featuring a 10-match conference slate and seven non-conference matches
• Wednesday's match is the second of four consecutive GPAC matches before the Defenders play 6th-ranked Bellevue on Oct.4
• the Defenders will play their final six GPAC matches after the Oct.4 date vs the Bruins
• GPAC Tournament play begins with the quarterfinals on Nov.1
• 2025 Schedule | 

Defenders News and Notes:

• 2025 Record: 0-1 GPAC, 2-3-2 overall
  • the Defenders are winless in its last three matches (0-2-1)
    • Dordt lost to Midland 2-1 in the GPAC opener for both teams played on Sept. 20
    • Midland scored a pair of goals late in the first half
    • the Defenders broke through with a goal during the 74th minute scored by Marco Laenen and assisted by Levi Jaeger and Anton Forsch
    • the teams combined for 15 shots (10 by Dordt, 5 by Midland)
• 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: 9 (T7th in GPAC)
    • total shots: 85 (6th in GPAC)
    • on-goal: 39
  • goals allowed: 9 (3rd in GPAC)
    • total shots allowed: 55
    • on-goal allowed: 27
• 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
• the Defenders have allowed two goals or fewer in all but one match this season 
• statistical leaders:
  • Marco Laenen - 2 goals
  • Enzo Lira de Paula and Anton Forsch - 2 assists
  • Pablo Martin Domingo, Tate Hansen, Marco Laenen and Tyson Reitsma: 4 shots on-goal
  • Shad Jaeger - 11 saves
  • minutes played - Levi Jaeger: 604
    • Anton Forsch: 587
• returning all-conference players:
  • Marco Laenen (2023)
  • Nolan Karel (2024)
  • Tyson Reitsma (2x, 2022 and 2024)
  • Levi Jaeger (2024)

Scouting Report - Dakota Wesleyan Tigers

• 2025 Record: 1-0 GPAC, 3-5 overall
  • DWU has won two straight matches heading into Wednesday night's contest against Dordt
  • the Tigers erupted for 13 goals in the win over Mount Marty on Saturday
  • they also have wins over Concordia-Moorhead and Providence (Mont.)
• Head Coach: Nicolas Reinhard (4th year)
  • served as the assistant for Trevaca Nazarene for years prior to DWU
  • was a standout player for TNU, earning all-conference three times
• Conference: Great Plains Athletic Conference (11 teams)
  • picked 7th in the preseason poll
• in 2024: 4-6 (8th of 11 teams), 8-8-2 overall
  • lost to Morningside 2-0 in the GPAC Quarterfinals
  • first season with a .500 record in 10 years
• return eight starters, 15 players
• return 15 of 20 goals scored, 11 of 14 assists
• by the numbers:
  • 25 goals, 3.1 / match (1st in GPAC)
  • 17 goals allowed, 2.1 / match (8th in GPAC)
• key returners:
  • Luis Waeschle (all-conference)
  • Neil Ennis  (all-conference)
  • Vincent Wagner (all-conference in 2023)
  • Zackary Stephens - 25 saves, 2-4 record
• Statistical Leaders for the 2025 season:
  • Evan Bolster - 5 goals, 8 shots in-goal
  • Korbinian Rieder - 5 goals, 8 shots in-goal
  • Lewis Cunningham - 4 goals
  • Lukas Adamhuber - 3 assists
  • Zackary Stephens (2-2 record) - 10 saves