Game Time: 

• GPAC play begins this weekend as the Dordt University women's soccer team hosts Concordia in the conference opener for both teams
• kickoff for Saturday's match (Sept.19) on the Defenders home field is set for 2pm
• both teams bring a 1-2-2 record into Saturday's match

How to Follow:

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

All-Time vs Concordia:

• Saturday's match will be the 32nd in the rivalry between Dordt and Concordia
• the Defenders hold a slight lead in the all-time series, 14-12-5
• the teams played to a 1-1 tie last year
  • Dordt led 1-0 at halftime after a goal by Karinna Tel during the 40th minute
  • Concordia netted the equalizer at the 83rd minute
  • Dordt was outshot 16-6 (8-3 on-goal)
• 1st match played in the rivalry: 1996
• Dordt began the rivalry with eight wins in the first nine matches

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
• 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: 1-2-2
  • last time out: tied Dakota State 1-1 on Tuesday, Sept.15
    • Jenna Roberts put the Defenders up 1-0 with a goal in the third minute off an assist from Lameese Batarseh
    • Dakota State netted the equalizer during the 73rd minute
    • Lizzie Graham made two saves
    • Dordt outshot DSU 12-6 (9-3 on-goal)
• 2026, by the Numbers:
  • goals scored: 7 (1.4 / match)
  • goals given up: 10 (2 / match)
• Leaders:
  • Joslyn Vander Molen - 3 goals, 2 assists, 11 shots on-goal
  • Jenna Roberts - 2 goals
  • Maria Zylstra - 1 goal, 2 assists, 6 shots on-goal
  • Faith Mondeel - 1 goal, 5 shots on-goal
  • Lizzie Graham - 14 saves

Scouting Reports:

• Concordia Bulldogs:
  • 2026 Record: 1-2-2
    • last time out: def. Dakota State 2-0 on Sept.12    
      • scoreless at the half despite a 7-1 advantage in shots
      • Molly Kalsbeek (60th minute) and Kyana Rios (72nd minute) netted 2nd half goals
      • Aaliyah Matthews earned the win and made one save
  • picked third in the GPAC preseason poll
    • trailed Hastings (GPAC favorite) and Morningside (2nd)
  • Head Coach: Jason Weides - 1st year with women's program
    • named the Director of Soccer Operations / Head Women's Coach in March of 2026
    • served as the Bulldogs men's head coach for 18 years (since 2008)
    • went 183-117-47 during that time
    • led the men's program to the GPAC postseason title last year, national tment berth and 1st tment win in program history
  • 2025 record: 7-1-3 (2nd in regular season), 13-2-5 overall
  • • lost to Hastings (Neb.) in conference semifinals, 2-1 OT
  • return 19 players, 5 starters
  • return 25 of 57 goals scored
  • 2026 stats:
    • scored 7 goals, 1.4 / match
    • allowed 10 goals, 2.0 / match
  • Leaders (stats from 2026 season in bold): 
    • Guadalupe Sanchez (all-conference) - 2 goals, 3 assists, 4 shots on-goal (7 goals, 4 assists last year)
    • Molly Kalsbeck - 2 goals, 4 shots on-goal
    • Kyana Rios (2x all-conference)  - 1 goal, 2 assists (9 goals, 2 assists last year)
    • Sadie Mares - (all-conference) 1 goal
    • Aliya Vidro - returning starter; 11 saves, 3.3 goals against