Game Time: 

• the Dordt University women's soccer team continues its 2026 season with a home match against unbeaten Mount Marty this weekend
• Saturday's match is set to start at 2pm
• the Defenders will recognize the seniors within the program prior to the match
• Dordt is tied with Dakota Wesleyan for fifth place in the GPAC with a 1-1-2 record, 2-3-4 overall
• Mount Marty is tied with Concordia for first place in the GPAC with an unbeaten 4-0 record, 6-0-3 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 Mount Marty:

• Saturday's match will be the 27th played in the rivalry between Dordt and Mount Marty
• Dordt owns a 23-1-2 record against the Lancers
• last year, Dordt earned two wins against Mount Marty
  • 6-0 (in Yankton) during the regular season
  • 3-0 (at home) in the GPAC semifinals
  • Maria Zylstra contributed two assists in the Defenders postseason win
  • Jenna Roberts (2 goals and 2 assists) and Joslyn Vander Molen (1 goal, 1 assist) recorded multiple points in the Defenders first win
• Dordt has shutout the Lancers three consecutive matches
• first match: played in 2022
• the teams tied in 2010 and 2013

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: 1-1-2 (T5th GPAC), 2-3-4
  • last time out: tied Dakota Wesleyan 2-2 on Wednesday, Sept.30
    • led 2-0 at the half after goals from Maria Zylstra and Joslyn Vander Molen
    • the Tigers scored goals during the 57th and 83rd minutes to tie the match
    • Dordt out-shot DWU 20-8 (9-4 on-goal)
• 2026, by the Numbers:
  • goals scored: 19 (2.1 / match - T3rd in GPAC)
  • goals given up: 16 (1.8 / match - 8th in GPAC)
• Leaders:
  • Joslyn Vander Molen - 6 goals (T3rd), 3 assists, 23 shots on-goal (T2nd in GPAC)
  • Maria Zylstra - 6 goals (T3rd), 4 assists, 14 shots on-goal
  • Jenna Roberts - 3 goals, 1 assist
  • Lizzie Graham - 19 saves
  • Abi Green Martinez - 14 saves

Scouting Reports:

• Mount Marty Lancers:
  • 2026 Record: 4-0 (T1st GPAC), 6-0-3 overall
    • last time out: def. Midland 3-0 on Sept.30 
      • led 1-0 with a goal by Alysia Rios during the 18th minute
      • second half goals by Angelina Hopwood (64th minute) and Keely Draheim (81st)
      • outshot Midland 22-8 (12-5 on-goal)
      • Miranda Hood and Kendall Ellis combined for four saves and the shutout
  • picked 6th of 12 teams in the GPAC preseason poll
  • Head Coach: Joe Chicks - 2nd year
    • 1st year at Mount Marty: 2025
    • previously served as head coach for Lower Columbia CC (Washington)
    • also served as a high school coach at Hockinson H.S. (Wash.)
  • 2025 record: 4-4-3 (8th in GPAC), 8-8-3 overall
    • lost to Dordt 3-0 in GPAC semifinals
    • def. top-seed Morningside in GPAC quarterfinals
  • return 9 starters, 15 players
  • 2026 stats:
    • scored 26 goals, 2.9 / match 
    • allowed 5 goals, .6 / match
  • Leaders (2026 season stats): 
    • Juliann Donnelly  - 3 goals, 6 assists (1st in GPAC)
    • Angelina Hopwood - 4 goals (T7th in GPAC), 2 assists
    • Rhyli Grim (all-conference) - 4 goals (T7th in GPAC), 1 assist
    • Baylee Beck (all-conference) -  1 goal, 2 assists
    • Miranda Hood - 14 saves, .5 goals against / match