Game Time: 

• the Dordt University men's soccer team continues its 2026 season with a road match this weekend against Bellevue
• Saturday's match (Sept.26) at the Renner Dennis Outdoor Athletic Complex is scheduled for 7pm
• this will be the final non-conference match for the Defenders
• Dordt is 5-3-1 this season; Bellevue has won three straight and is 4-4-1 this season

How to Follow:

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

All-Time vs Bellevue:

• Dordt is 3-10 all-time in the rivalry against Bellevue
• first match played in the rivalry: 1996
• last year: Dordt earned a 4-2 win against the Bruins in Sioux Center
  • the Defenders trailed 1-0 at the half 
  • Dordt responded with four straight goals, all scored within 11 minutes of each other in the second half
  • Anton Forsch (2), Tyson Reitsma nad Trigve Elkins all netted goals
• the four goals scored by Dordt is the most scored by the Defenders in the rivalry
• Dordt has been shutout 5x by the Bruins

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:  5-3-1
  • the Defenders have lost two straight matches, both by shutout, heading into Wednesday night
  • last time out:
    • defeated Waldorf on the road, 6-1, Wednesday night in Forest City
      • after falling behind 1-0, Dordt scored six unanswered goals against the Warriors
      • Ike D'Silva tied the match with 15 seconds left in the 1st half and then scored the game-winner during the 50th minute
      • Joao Locatelli, Tate Hansen and Boston Gerdes (2) also scored
      • Dordt outshot the Warriors 26-10
  • Pablo Martin earned GPAC Offensive Player of the Week on Sept.8, first Defenders player to earn the honor since 2023 (week 9 - Mitchell Dryden)
• 2026, By the Numbers:
  • 23 goals scored (2.7 / match) - 2nd in the GPAC
  • 11 goals allowed (1.23 / match) - 1st in the GPAC
• 2026 Leaders:
  • Pablo Martin - 5 goals (T4th in GPAC), 5 assists (1st in GPAC), 15pts (3rd in GPAC), 17 shots on-goal (1st in GPAC)
  • Boston Gerdes - 4 goals (T7th in GPAC), 2 assists, 10 shots on-goal
  • Ike D'Silva - 4 goals, 1 assist, 86 shots on-goal
  • Joseba Zabala - 3 goals, 9 shots on-goal (8th in GPAC)
  • Alvaro Boned - 1.3 goals vs (4th in GPAC), 32 saves (4th in GPAC)

Scouting Reports:

• Bellevue Bruins:
  • 2026: 4-4-1 overall (won three straight)
    • 3-1 against teams from the Great Plains Athletic Conference
      • def. DWU, BCU and Midland; lost to Concordia
  • last time out: defeated Panhandle State 5-1 on Sept.19
    • tied 1-1 at halftime
    • five different players scored for Bellevue
    • Samual Puth had a goal and an assist
    • Bellevue outshot Panhandle State 14-7 (7-1)
  • part of the Continental Athletic Conference in soccer 
    • no preseason poll
  • Head Coach: Mark Heath-Preston - 11th year
    • named head coach in 2016 after a four-year stint as assistant
    • has guided the Bruins to the national tournament six times
    • played for Bellevue where he earned All-American honors
    • career goals and points leader
  • last year (2025): 10-8-2
    • lost to #12 Georgia Gwinnett 3-0 in the conference final
  • return eight starters, 16 players
  • 2026 stats:
    • scored 18 goals: 2.0 goals / match
    • allowed 13 goals: 1.4 / match
  • Key Players:
    • Samuel Puth - 4 goals, 3 assists
    • Adam Sherwood (all-conference in 2025) - 4 goals, 1 assist
    • Juan Lagares (all-conference in 2025) - 2 goals, 4 assists
    • Kaden Simpson (all-conference in 2025) - 16 saves, 1.83 goals against average