Game Time:

• the Dordt University women's soccer team returns to its home turf to play Waldorf in a mid-week, GPAC match
• start time on Wednesday, Oct. 1 is set for 7:15pm under the lights at the Defenders Soccer Complex
• Dordt is one of our unbeaten teams left in GPAC play with a 2-0-1 record, 3-3-2 overall
• Waldorf is 0-3 in the GPAC, 1-5-1 overall
• 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 | 
• Roster Page | 

All-Time:

• Wednesday's match will be the 10th all-time in the rivalry against Waldorf
• Dordt has the upper hand in the rivalry with an 8-0-1 record and a five-match win streak coming into Wednesday
• last year, Dordt earned a 15-0 win against the Warriors
  • the 15 goals scored was a program record and the third time in program history the Defenders netted double-digit goals
  • seven Defenders scored at least one goal, led by Karinna Tel with five; Joslyn Terpstra contributed three goals and three assists
• the rivalry began in 2009
• the teams played to a 3-3 tie in 2012
• Dordt has shutout Waldorf three times
• the Defenders are 6-0-1 at home against Waldorf

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
• Waldorf was picked to finish 12th in the GPAC preseason poll

Schedule Outlook:

• the Defenders play an 18-match schedule this season, seven non-conference and 11 within GPAC play
• Wednesday's match will be the fourth in conference play for the Defenders
• 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 | 

GPAC Standings:

• Concordia - 2-0-1, 7pts
• Dordt - 2-0-1, 7pts
• Hastings - 2-0-1, 7pts
• Northwestern - 2-0-1, 7pts
• Doane - 2-1, 6pts
• Morningside - 2-1, 6pts
• Mount Marty - 2-1, 6pts
• College of Saint Mary - 1-2, 3pts
• Dakota Wesleyan - 0-1-2, 2pts
• Briar Cliff - 0-3, 0pts
• Midland - 0-3, 0pts
• Waldorf - 0-3, 0pts

GPAC Schedule for Wednesday:

• Bellevue @ Briar Cliff (non-conference)
• Waldorf @ Dordt
• College of Saint Mary @ Midland
• Dakota Wesleyan @ Northwestern
• Mount Marty @ Concordia

Defenders News and Notes:

• 2025 Record: 2-0-1 (T1st in GPAC), 3-3-2 overall
  • last time out: 
    • the Defenders handed Mount Marty its first GPAC loss of the season with a 6-0 win on Saturday
    • this was the second shutout of the season for the Defenders and matched their season-high for goals scored
    • Karinna Tel netted the three goals, all in the first 13 minutes, for her second hat-trick of the season and 10th for her career
    • Jenna Roberts had two goals and one assist and Joslyn Terpstra contributed one goal and one assist
    • Lydia Zylstra made four saves and earned her second consecutive shutout 
      • Zylstra was named GPAC Defensive Player of the Week
  • 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: 19 / 2.4 per match (3rd in GPAC)
    • total shots: 104
    • on-goal: 66
  • goals allowed: 14 / 1.75 per match (7th in GPAC)
    • total shots allowed: 125
    • on-goal allowed: 69
• 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 - 13 goals (1st in GPAC; tied for 5th in NAIA)
  • Karinna Tel - 45 shots (1st in GPAC), 31 on-goal (1st in GPAC, 8th in NAIA)
  • Jenna Roberts - 2 goals, 3 assists
  • Joslyn Terpstra - 1 goal, 4 assists (T3rd in GPAC)
  • Maria Zylstra - 1 goal, 4 assists (T3rd in GPAC)
  • Lydia Zylstra (3-3-2) - 52 saves (2nd in GPAC)
  • Abi Keltner - 710 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 - Waldorf Warriors

• 2025 Record: 0-3 (GPAC), 1-5-1 overall
  • lost to Doane 5-1 on Saturday, Sept.27
    • trailed 4-0 by halftime
    • Olivia Cross scored the final goal of the match during the 78th minute
    • Mia Ramirez (1-5-1) made seven saves
  • has lost three straight matches, all in GPAC play (CSM, NW and Doane)
• Head Coach: Dr.Thomas Goodman (2nd year)
  • in his second year as Waldorf's "Director of Soccer"
  • previously served as the head coach at Finlandia College
  • was also an interim coach for Siena Heights (Mich.)
• Conference: Great Plains Athletic Conference (12 teams)
  • picked 12th in preseason coaches poll
• 2024 record: 0-11 (12th in GPAC), 0-17-1 overall
  • tied Faith Baptist 1-1 in the final match of the season
• return 10 starters, 13 players
  • return all seven goals and two assists from last year
• 2025, by the numbers:
  • goals - 7 (1.0 per match - 11th in GPAC)
  • goals allowed - 31 (4.4 per match-12th in GPAC)
• key returners (stats from 2024):
  • Olivia Cross (all-conference) - 5 goals scored
  • Kait Gaspari (all-conference) - 1 assist
  • Paige Spatorico - 1 goal
• Statistical Leaders for the 2025 season:
  • Olivia Cross - 6 goals (T5th in GPAC), 12 shots (T8th in GPAC)
  • Paige Spatorico - 1 goal
  • Mia Ramirez (1-5-1) 41 saves, 5.03 GAA