Game Time: 

• the Dordt University women's soccer team will play its second consecutive road match as they make the trip to Crete, Neb. to face Doane
• kickoff on Saturday, Oct. 10  at Papik Field is scheduled for 1pm
• the Defenders have dropped two straight matches and is tied with Dakota Wesleyan for eighth in the GPAC with a 1-3-2 record, 2-5-4 overall
• Doane lost to Hastings last time out and dropped to 10th place in the GPAC at 1-3-1, 1-8-2 overall

How to Follow:

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

All-Time vs Doane:

• the Defenders hold a 24-9-1 lead in the rivalry
• Dordt has won five straight against Doane, all by shutout
• the Defenders are 8-1-1 in their last 10 games against Doane
• Dordt is 8-6 all-time in matches played in Crete, Neb.
• last year, Dordt defeated the Tigers twice by 2-0 margins
  • the Defenders posted a 2-0 win in the GPAC Quarterfinals, led by Maria Zylstra and Karinna Tel, who both scored goals
  • Dordt outshot the Tigers 17-11, although shots on goal were even 8-8
• first match-up: 1997
• Dordt has shutout Doane 16x
• Dordt has been shutout 6x by Doane

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: 1-3-2 (T8th GPAC), 2-5-4
  • last time out: lost to Briar Cliff 5-1 in Sioux City on Oct. 7
    • trailed 1-0 at the half and 3-0 near the mid-point of the second half
    • Dordt netted its goal at the 68th minute by Joslyn Vander Molen, assisted by Maria Zylstra
    • Dordt was outshot 21-15 (9-3 on-goal)
• 2026, by the Numbers:
  • goals scored: 21 (1.9 / match - 8th in GPAC)
  • goals given up: 25 (2.3 / match - 9th in GPAC)
• Leaders:
  • Joslyn Vander Molen - 7 goals (T4th), 4 assists (T7th), 24 shots on-goal (T2nd in GPAC)
  • Maria Zylstra - 6 goals (T5th), 5 assists (T7th), 15 shots on-goal
  • Jenna Roberts - 4 goals, 1 assist
  • Lizzie Graham - 19 saves
  • Abi Green Martinez - 24 saves

Scouting Reports:

• Doane Tigers:
  • 2026 Record: 1-3-1 (10th in GPAC), 1-8-2 overall 
    • last time out: lost to Hastings 2-0 on Wednesday, Oct.7 
      • the Tigers gave up one goal in each half (44th minute and 75th minute)
      • Virginia Johnson made 13 saves and allowed two goals in the full 90 minutes
      • Doane was outshot 22-1, 15-1 on-goal
    • lone win this season: 5-0 vs Waldorf on Oct.3
  • picked 5th of 12 teams in the GPAC preseason poll
  • Head Coach: Jennifer Kennedy-Croft (11th year)
    • 2016 - 1st year at Doane
    • played for the University of Connecticut where she appeared in a national title match
    • previous coaching stops at UConn, Maine, Princeton, Rhode Island, Arkansas (all as ass't)
    • head coaching stops at Utah State and the University of Seattle
  • 2025 record: 6-4-1 (5th in GPAC), 8-9-2 overall
    • lost to Dordt 2-0 in GPAC quarterfinals
  • return 10 starters, 21 players
  • 2026 stats:
    • scored 11 goals, 1.02 / match (11th in GPAC)
    • allowed 30 goals, 2.9 / match (10th in GPAC)
  • Leaders (2026 season stats): 
    • Megan Townsend - 4 goals, 1 assist; 14 shots on-goal
    • Anali Astorga - 2 goals
    • Brianna-Lynn Ehia (all-conference) - 1 goal
    • Elizabeth Winkels (all-conference)
    • Virginia Johnson (all-conference) - 52 saves, 2.9 goals against