Game Time: 

• the Dordt University women's soccer team will make its 2026 season debut with a home match against Graceland on Wednesday, August 26
• start time at the Defenders Soccer Complex is scheduled for 7pm

How to Follow:

• live stats for all matches can be found at this link: Live Stats
• Watch all of the Defenders home matches, via the Dordt Media Network, at this link: Watch

All-Time vs Opponent:

• this will be the sixth match-up between the two programs
• Dordt is 2-3 in the all-time series
• the rivalry began in 2005 with a 6-0 loss for the Defenders
• Dordt lost its first three matches against the Yellow Jackets (2005, 2006, 2013)
• the Defenders have won the last two in the rivalry (2015 and 2021)
• Dordt is 2-2 all-time at home against Graceland
• the Defenders earned a 3-0 win in the last match-up between the two teams played in Sioux Center in 2021

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
• Chitwood is joined on his staff by Mary Doell, Brandon Hansen and Sydney Schwartz, who all begin their first season as a coach within the Defenders program
• will be making its 2026 season debut
• 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
• 2025, by the numbers:
  • scored 49 goals (2.5 per match)
  • allowed 24 goals (1.2 per match)
• return 22 of 49 goals scored
• this is the 31st season of Defender men's soccer (began in 1996)
• Dordt is 5-5 in its last 10 season openers
  • the Defenders lost to Eastern Oregon the 2025 season opener
  • Dordt last win in its season opener: 2024 at William Penn (5-1)
  • this is the first season opener at home since 2020
• returning leaders (based on 2025 stats):
  • Maria Zylstra - 6 goals, 10 assists
  • Jenna Roberts - 5 goals, 6 assists
  • Joslyn Vander Molen - 3 goals, 5 assists
  • Kelly Waypa - 3 goals
  • Abi Green Martinez - 2 matches, 1 save
• returning all-conference players: 
  • Maria Zylstra - 2nd team
  • Lameese Batarseh - Honorable Mention
  • Jenna Roberts - Honorable Mention
  • Joslyn Vander Molen - Honorable Mention

Scouting Reports:

• Graceland Yellow Jackets:
  • 1-0 record
    • defeated Hannibal-LaGrange 9-0 in Hannibal, Mo. on August 20
    • Heidi Klatt recorded a hat-trick and Tessa Cook netted two goals
    • nine different players tallied a point (goal or assist)
    • Alexis Porter earned the win and shutout
  • part of the Heart of America Athletic Conference (15 teams)
  • picked to finish eighth in the HAAC preseason poll
    • Missouri Valley was picked first, followed by Central Methodist and MidAmerica Nazarene
  • three teams from the HAAC were recognized in the NAIA Preseason poll
    • Missouri Valley (#6), MidAmerica Nazarene (#15), Central Methodist (#18)
    • all three of the above teams qualified for the national tournament in 2025
  • Head Coach: Randall Porter - 4th year
    • hired prior to the 2023 season
    • 15-30-9 all-time at Graceland
    • previous coaching:
      • director of the Kansas Rush Soccer Club, 14x state champion
      • head coach of the Kansas Magic
  • 2025 record: 4-6-3 (9th in HAAC), 7-7-4 overall
    • did not qualify for postseason
  • return 22 players, including 10 starters
  • return 24 of 30 goals scored from last year and all three goalkeepers
  • 2025 stats:
    • scored 1.8 goals / match
    • allowed 2.1 goals / match, 4 shutouts
  • Returning Stats Leaders (from 2025 season): 
    • Chloe Montera - 10 goals, 3 assists (2x all-conference)
    • Mariam El Mir Tartouri - 5 goals, 2 assists
    • Tessa Cook - 4 goals, 2 assists
    • Nuria Garcia - 1 goal, 5 assists
    • Alexis Porter - 3-2-2, 1.5 goals vs / match, 36 saves