Game Time:

• the Dordt University women's soccer team is set to make the short trip west to Yankton, S.D. for a road match against Mount Marty this weekend
• start time on Saturday, Sept.27 at Crane Youngworth Stadium is set for 7:30pm
• Dordt is 1-0-1 in the GPAC, 2-3-2 overall; the host Lancers are unbeaten in the league at 2-0, 5-3 overall
• Watch the match live via the Mount Marty 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:

• this will be the 25th match in the rivalry between the two teams
• Dordt holds a commanding 21-1-2 advantage in the rivalry
• the Defenders have won 12 straight matches and are unbeaten in their last 13
• last year, Dordt picked up a 3-0 win against the Lancers in Yankton, S.D.
  • Karinna Tel recorded a hat-trick, scoring a goal during the 1st, 21st and 82nd minute
  • both Hayden Jennett and Brooke Marjama recorded an assist
  • Dordt outshot Mount Marty 19-3 (total), 15-3 (on-goal)

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
• Mount Marty was picked 11th 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 will be the Defenders third in GPAC play and the third in a string of nine straight 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: 1-0-1 (GPAC), 2-3-2 overall
  • last time out: 
    • Dordt played Dakota Wesleyan to a scoreless tie Wednesday night in Mitchell, S.D.
    • the Defenders were down a player early (12th minute) due to a red card
    • Lydia Zylstra made 11 saves for the Defenders
  • 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: 13 / 1.86 per match (6th in GPAC)
    • total shots: 94
    • on-goal: 59
  • goals allowed: 14 / 2.0 per match (8th in GPAC)
    • total shots allowed: 113
    • on-goal allowed: 65
• 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 - 10 goals (1st in GPAC; tied for 7th in NAIA)
  • Karinna Tel - 41 shots (1st in GPAC, 8th in NAIA), 27 on-goal (1st in GPAC, 8th in NAIA)
  • Maria Zylstra - 4 assists (T3rd in GPAC); Joslyn Terpstra - 3 assists (T7th in GPAC)
  • Lydia Zylstra (2-3-2) - 48 saves (2nd in GPAC)
  • Abi Keltner - 630 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 - Mount Marty Lancers

• 2025 Record: 2-0 (GPAC), 5-3 overall
  • def. Midland 3-0 last time out on Sept.24
    • led 2-0 by halftime with goals by Shakira Nelson and Eleanor Haslam
    • Marissa Moyle scored the third goal during the 74 minute
    • outshot Midland 12-8
  • also has a 1-0 win over DWU in GPAC play
• Head Coach: Joe Chicks (1st year)
  • hired in February of 2025
  • previously coached at Lower Columbia College (Juco) for five years
• Conference: Great Plains Athletic Conference (12 teams)
  • picked 11th in preseason coaches poll
• 2024 record: 1-10 (11th), 4-12-1 overall
  • did not qualify for GPAC tournament
• return 2 starters, 5 players
  • return 1 of 14 goals scored; 1 of 4 assists; return starting goalie
• 14 transfers, primarily from Lower Columbia College, along with five freshman join the returners
• 2025, by the numbers:
  • goals - 19 (2.4 per match - T2nd in GPAC)
  • goals allowed - 10 (1.25 per match-T5th in GPAC)
• key returners (stats from 2024):
  • Aubrie Lloyd - returning starter, one goal
  • Brooklyn McNac (all-conference) 
• Statistical Leaders for the 2025 season:
  • Alexia Valdez - 4 goals, 1 assist
  • Rhyli Grim - 3 goals
  • 3 players with two goals
  • Brooklyn McNac - 5-3 record, 57 saves