Game Time: 

• the Dordt University men's soccer team will continue its 2026 season with a home match this weekend against the University of Saint Mary (Kan.)
• start time at the Defenders Soccer Complex is scheduled for 2pm
• Dordt is 1-1-1 this season; USM is 0-1
• Rosters | 

How to Follow:

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

All-Time vs Opponent:

• Saturday's match will be the second all-time in the rivalry between Dordt and USM
• the teams played to a 1-1 draw last year in an early season match at Charles Berkel Memorial Stadium in Leavenworth, Kan.
• USF scored first with a goal by Jude Rodwell during the 14th minute
• Dordt responded with its only goal at the 26th minute as Pedro Menezes found the back of the net
• USF held a 10-9 advantage in total shots; both teams accounted for three saves

Defenders News and Notes:

• Head Coach (Interim): Tim Lee (1st year)
  • Lee is joined on staff by Michael Catanzarite (1st year), David Lee (5th 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: 1-1-1
  • the Defenders went 1-0-1 last week against Montana teams (Carroll: 3-3, Providence: 2-1)
  • Dordt was defeated by Graceland 3-0 on Wednesday, August 26, in the Defenders home opener
    • the match was scoreless at the break; both teams had five shots in the opening period
    • Graceland netted three goals in the second half and outshot Dordt 10-4 in the final period
• 2026, By the Numbers:
  • 5 goals scored (1.7 / match)
  • 7 goals allowed (2.3 / match)
• 2026 Leaders:
  • Ike D'Silva - 2 goals, 7 shots
  • Pablo Martin - 1 goal, 1 assist, 8 shots
  • Joseba Zabala - 1 goal, 6 shots
  • Alvaro Boned - 14 saves

Scouting Reports:

• University of Saint Mary Spires:
  • 0-1 record
    • lost to Briar Cliff 2-1 in its season opener played at home on Wednesday, August 26
    • led 1-0 at the half with a goal by Luis Rincon at the 30th minute
    • allowed two late goals (79th and 81st minute) to the Chargers
    • Xavier Ezell made six saves
    • USM was outshot 19-9, 15-3 on-goal
  • member of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (14 teams)
  • picked to finish 8th of 14 teams in the KCAC preseason poll
    • #9 Oklahoma Wesleyan is picked to win the conference, followed by #16 Ottawa
  • two teams from the KCAC were ranked in the NAIA preseason poll
    • both Oklahoma Wesleyan and Ottawa qualified for the final site at the 2025 NAIA Soccer Championship and lost in the round of 16
  • Head Coach: Derek Mazeitis - 22nd year
    • longest tenured coach at USM and in the KCAC
    • first year as head coach at USM: 2005
    • named the 2022 KCAC Coach of the Year
    • has 111 wins as head coach for the Spires
  • 2025 record: 5-7-1 (9th in KCAC), 7-9-2 overall
    • did not qualify for postseason
    • scored 44 goals (2.4 / match); allowed 48 (2.7 / match)
  • lost seven starters, 22 players
  • return 15 of 44 goals scored from last year
  • 2026 stats:
    • scored 1 goal / match
    • allowed 2 goals / match
  • Key Returners / Players:
    • Luis Rincon - 1 goal, 3 shots
    • Roberto Garcia Gomez - 1 assist
    • Jude Rodwell - returning starter, scored three goals last year
    • Mario Santoro - returning starter, scored three goals last year
    • Xavier Ezell - 6 saves