Men's Soccer 8/25/2026 9:57:00 PM Athletic Communications

Men's Soccer | Graceland Preview

the Dordt University men's soccer team will host Graceland for its home opener on Wednesday, August 26 as both teams continue their respective 2026 seasons
start time on the Defenders home pitch is scheduled for 4:45pm
both teams are unbeaten this season; Dordt is 1-0-1 while Graceland is 1-0

Wednesday's match will be the 13th in the rivalry between Dordt and Graceland
the all-time record is even, 6-6, in the rivalry
the first match in the rivalry: 1989
Dordt won its first four and five of the first six matches against Graceland
the Yellow Jackets have won five of the last six against Dordt, including a 2-1 win the last time the teams played (2015)
Dordt was shutout by Graceland 1x (2006)
the Defenders shutout Graceland 2x (1991, 1993)

Head Coach (Interim): Tim Lee (1st year)
- hired as an assistant during the winter of 2026
- named interim head coach on July 1
Lee is joined on staff by Michael Catanzarite (1st year), David Lee (4th 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: 1-0-1
- began the season last weekend with two matches in Montana
- played to a 3-3 draw against Carroll, a team that received votes in the NAIA preseason poll
- defeated Providence 2-1 on Saturday
  - Ike D'Silva and Boston Gerdes netted first half goals for the Defenders
  - Alvaro Boned earned the win in goal and made one save
2026, By the Numbers:
- 5 goals scored (2.5 / match)
- 4 goals allowed (2.0 / match)
2026 Leaders:
- Ike D'Silva - 2 goals, 4 points
- Boston Gerdes - 1 goal, 1 assist, 3 points
- Pablo Martin - 1 goal, 1 assist, 3 points
- Alvaro Boned - 8 saves
- Alvaro Boned - 180 minutes
- Jayden Donald - 165 minutes
- Julian Janssen - 158 minutes

Graceland Yellow Jackets:
- 1-0 record
  - defeated Hannibal-LaGrange 5-2 on August 20
  - trailed 1-0 early, led 2-1 at the half and scored three more unanswered goals to start the second period
  - Enoch Fanesi netted two goals and Kaden Edwards scored a goal and totaled three assists
- member of the Heart of America Athletic Conference (15 teams)
- picked to finish 13th of 15 teams in the HAAC preseason poll
  - Grand View was picked first, followed by MidAmerica Nazarene, Baker and William Penn
- five teams from the HAAC recognized in the NAIA Preseason poll
  - Grand View (1), MidAmerica Nazarene (3), William Penn (7), Baker (21), Central Methodist (RV)
- Head Coach: Bryan Courtney - 11th year
  - 11th season as head coach, 19th season overall as a coach within the program
  - 2014 - 1st year as head coach
  - served as the assistant beginning in 2006
  - also played for the Yellow Jackets
- won the 2006 NAIA title
- 2025 record: 4-11-2 overall, 2-9-2 in HAAC (14th place)
  - did not qualify for postseason
- return 19 players, nine starters
- return 15 of 24 goals scored from last year
- 2025 stats:
  - scored 1.4 goals / match
  - allowed 2.1 goals / match, 2 shutouts
- Returning Stats Leaders (from 2025 season):
  - Kaden Edwards - 4 goals, 1 assist
  - Ashton Adrian - 2 goals, 2 assists
  - Ryan Gourzong - 2 goals, 2 assists
  - Juan Gelves - 1 goal, 3 assists
  - Yuta Hirano - 50 saves

Players Mentioned