Game Time: 

• the Dordt University men's soccer team is set to begin a crucial two-match, home stretch when they host Morningside on Wednesday night, Oct.14
• start time at the Defenders Soccer Complex is scheduled for 7:15pm
• the Defenders have won three consecutive matches and moved into second place in the current GPAC standings with a 4-2 record, 8-5-1 overall
• Morningside is in seventh place in the current GPAC standings with a 2-1-1 record, 3-4-5 overall

How to Follow:

• live stats for all matches can be found at this link: Live Stats
• watch the match live via the Dordt Media Network: Watch 

All-Time vs Morningside:

• Dordt is 9-19-3 all-time in the rivalry against Morningside
• the teams played back-to-back years in 1978 and 1979
• the teams have played at least once per season since 2001
• last five vs Morningside: 1-1-3
• last 10 vs Morningside: 1-6-3
• last year: 0-0 draw
  • Dordt was outshot 10-7, 2-1 on-goal
• Dordt has been shutout 8x in the rivalry
• the Defenders have shutout Morningside 6x
• Dordt's last win vs Mustangs: 2022 (3-1)
• this will be the first home match against Morningside since 2022

Defenders News and Notes:

• Head Coach (Interim): Tim Lee (1st year)
  • Lee is joined on staff by Michael Catanzarite (1st year), David Lee (5th year), Stevie Hodes (1st year) and Brandon Hansen (1st year)
• GPAC Preseason Poll:
  • picked eighth of 11 teams in the GPAC preseason poll
• Dordt finished the 2025 season with a 5-6-6 overall record
• the Defenders went 2-4-4 and finished seventh among 11 teams in conference play
• 10 players who started at least one match return, 13 total returners
• this is the 49th season of Defender men's soccer (began in 1978)
• 2026 Record: 4-2 (2nd in GPAC), 8-5-1
  • the Defenders have won three straight matches and are in second place in the GPAC with four matches left in the regular season
  • last time out:
    • defeated Doane 3-2 on Saturday, Oct.10 in Crete, Neb.
    • Dordt held a 14-10 advantage in total shots, 9-8 on-goal
    • Joseba Zabala netted the first goal at the 6th minute
    • Pablo Martin scored the next two goals, both in the first half, with the second on a converted penalty kick
    • Alvaro Boned made six saves
  • Alvaro Boned was named the GPAC Defensive Player of the Week honors earlier this week
  • Pablo Martin earned GPAC Offensive Player of the Week on Sept.8, first Defenders player to earn the honor since 2023 (week 9 - Mitchell Dryden)
• 2026, By the Numbers:
  • 30 goals scored (2.4 / match) - 2nd in the GPAC
  • 20 goals allowed (1.6 / match) - 4th in the GPAC
• 2026 Leaders:
  • Pablo Martin - 7 goals (T4th in GPAC), 7 assists (1st in GPAC), 21pts, 31shots on-goal (1st in GPAC)
  • Ike D'Silva - 5 goals (T6th in GPAC), 1 assist, 12 shots on-goal
  • Boston Gerdes - 4 goals, 2 assists, 10 shots on-goal
  • Tate Hansen - 4 goals, 1 assist
  • Joseba Zabala - 4 goals, 1 assist
  • Alvaro Boned - 1.69 goals vs (4th in GPAC), 61 saves (1st in GPAC), 5 shutouts

Scouting Reports:

• Morningside Mustangs:
  • 2026: 2-1-2 (7th in GPAC), 3-4-5 overall
    • last time out: tied Northwestern 1-1 on Oct.7
      • trailed 1-0 after an NW goal at the 17th minute
      • Morningside took advantage of an "own" goal to tie the match in the second half
      • the Mustangs outshot NW 9-4 on-goal, 16-6 overall
    • Morningside also tied Midland 4-4 on Oct.3
  • Head Coach: Tom Maxon (26th year)
    • 2021 - 1st year
    • 3x GPAC Coach of the Year
    • 3x NAIA Qualifier
  • last year (2025): 6-2-2 (4th), 12-7-2 overall
    • lost to Concordia in GPAC final 2-1
  • picked 3rd in GPAC preseason poll
  • return six starters, 20 players
  • 2026 stats:
    • scored 20 goals: 1.7 goals / match (10th in GPAC)
    • allowed 24 goals: 2.0 / match (5th in GPAC)
  • Key Players:
    • Mengistu Schmidt - 4 goals, 3 assists (6th in GPAC)
    • Javier Ruchelli - 4 goals, 1 assist
    • Bennet Burchwald (all-conference) - 3 goals, 2 assists
    • Leonard Hohner (all-conference) - 2 goals, 1 assist
    • Herman Burdiles - 1.83 GAA, 27 saves (10th in GPAC)