Game Time: 

• the Dordt University women's soccer team will host 25th-ranked Hastings this weekend in the Defenders final home match of the regular season
• start time for Saturday's match is set for 2pm
• Dordt is tied for ninth in the current GPAC standings with a 1-4-3 record, 2-6-5 overall
• Hastings is tied with Concordia for first place in the current GPAC standings at 6-0-1, 11-1-2 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 Hastings:

• the Defenders are 7-30-3 all-time against Hastings, dating back to the first match-up played in 1999
• Dordt has lost three straight and is 1-8-1 over its last 10 matches
• the Defenders are 6-12-2 all-time at home against the Broncos
• last year, Dordt lost both matches to Hastings
  • regular season: 3-0
  • GPAC Championship: 1-0
• last Defenders win: 2023 in the GPAC semifinals
• last win at home vs Hastings: 1-0, 4-1, both in 2008

Defenders News and Notes:

• Head Coach: Payton Chitwood (2nd year)
  • hired in March of 2025 
  • served as the head coach for Warner University (Fla.) from 2017-24
  • was an assistant coach for Trinity International (Ill.) from 2011-16
• picked fourth of 12 teams in the GPAC preseason poll
• Dordt finished the 2025 season with an 11-6-3 overall record
  • the Defenders lost to Hastings (Neb.) 1-0 in the GPAC Championship match, one win shy of qualifying for the NAIA National Championship
  • the Defenders went 7-2-2 and finished tied with Hastings (Neb.) for third place in the GPAC
  • 14 players who started at least one match return, 20 total returners
  • return 22 of 49 goals scored
• this is the 31st season of Defender women's soccer (began in 1996)
• returning all-conference players: 
  • Maria Zylstra - 2nd team
  • Lameese Batarseh - Honorable Mention
  • Jenna Roberts - Honorable Mention
  • Joslyn Vander Molen - Honorable Mention
  • Paige Miller - Honorable Mention (2024 season)
• 2026 Record: 1-4-3 (T9th GPAC), 2-6-5
  • last time out: lost to Morningside 3-1 on Wednesday, Oct.14 at home
    • Lexi Terpstra scored the Defenders goal, assisted by Brooke Marjama and Maria Zylstra, at the 30th minute
    • Mustangs led 2-1 at half and scored an insurance goal during the 73rd minute
    • Emerson Skuodas made six saves
• 2026, by the Numbers:
  • goals scored: 23 (1.8 / match - T7th in GPAC)
  • goals given up: 29 (2.2 / match - 9th in GPAC)
• Leaders:
  • Joslyn Vander Molen - 7 goals (T5th), 4 assists (10th), 24 shots on-goal (3rd in GPAC)
  • Maria Zylstra - 6 goals (7th), 7 assists (2nd), 17 shots on-goal
  • Jenna Roberts - 4 goals, 1 assist
  • Lizzie Graham - 19 saves

Scouting Reports:

• 25th-ranked Hastings Broncos:
  • 2026 Record: 6-0-1 (T1st in GPAC), 11-1-2 overall 
    • won five straight; unbeaten over its last 12 matches (10-0-2)
    • last time out: def. Concordia 2-0 in a match-up of unbeaten teams in the GPAC 
      • netted two first half goals by Avery Higgins (20th minute) and Maddie Miles (44th)
    • outshot Concordia 12-3 (6-1 on-goal)
    • Autumn Button made one save
  • picked 1st of 12 teams in the GPAC preseason poll
  • Head Coach: Jade Ovendale (7th year)
    • guided the Broncos to four straight NAIA Tournaments, including a spot in the final site (16 teams) in 2023
    • 2020 - 1st year with Hastings
    • 2024 GPAC Coach of the Year
    • served as the head coach at Northern Oklahoma for two years prior to coming to Hastings
    • also served as the assistant coach for the men's team four years
    • 2x All-American playing for University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma
  • 2025 record: 7-2-2 (T3rd in GPAC), 16-4-3 overall
    • GPAC postseason champion
    • def. Friends (Kan.) in the NAIA 1st round
    • lost to John Brown (Ark.) in the second round to end season
  • return eight starters, 27 players
  • 2026 stats:
    • scored 44 goals, 3.1/ match (1st in GPAC)
    • allowed 10 goals, .7 / match (2nd in GPAC)
  • Leaders (2026 season stats): 
    • Madison Rhodes (2x all-conference) - 15 goals (1st), 9 assists (1st)
    • Avery Higgins - 4 goals, 7 assists
    • Payton Tanner - 6 goals, 2 assists
    • Autumn Button - 18 saves, 3 goals against (.31 / match)