Game Time: 

• the Dordt University women's soccer team returns home to play a pair of GPAC matches this week, beginning with a Wednesday night match-up against Dakota Wesleyan
• start time is set for 5pm at the Defenders Soccer Complex on Wednesday, Sept. 30
• both teams are 1-1-1 and in a five-way tie for fourth place in the current GPAC standings; Dordt is 2-3-3 overall and DWU is 2-1-3

How to Follow:

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

All-Time vs Dakota Wesleyan:

• Wednesday night's match will be the 21st in the rivalry between Dordt and DWU
• Dordt leads the all-time series 13-5-2 and is 8-1-1 in its last 10 matches against the Tigers
• the Defenders are 8-1-1 all-time at home against DWU
• last year, the teams played to a 0-0 draw
  • Dordt was outshot 11-4 (on-goal), 19-8 total
  • the Defenders played a player down for nearly 80 minutes and two players down for the final five minutes
• most goals scored in the rivalry: 8 by Dordt in 2022
• most goals given up in the rivalry: 3 (5x)
• Dordt has not given up a goal against DWU for 211 minutes (59th minute in the 2023 match)

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
• 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: 1-1-1 (GPAC), 2-3-3
  • last time out: tied College of Saint Mary 1-1 on Saturday, Sept.26
    • trailed 1-0 at half
    • Maria Eenigenburg scored her first career goal during the 87th minute from an assist by Maria Zylstra to tie the score
    • Dordt outshot CSM 20-8, 13-2 on-goal
• 2026, by the Numbers:
  • goals scored: 17 (2.1 / match - 5th in GPAC)
  • goals given up: 14 (1.8 / match - 7th in GPAC)
• Leaders:
  • Joslyn Vander Molen - 5 goals (T3rd), 2 assists, 19 shots on-goal (T2nd in GPAC)
  • Maria Zylstra - 5 goals (T3rd), 3 assists, 11 shots on-goal
  • Jenna Roberts - 3 goals, 1 assist
  • Lizzie Graham - 19 saves
  • Abi Green Martinez - 12 saves

Scouting Reports:

• Dakota Wesleyan Tigers:
  • 2026 Record: 1-1-1 (GPAC), 2-1-3 overall
    • last time out: tied Doane 1-1 on Sept.26  
      • Doane scored during the 12th minute
      • DWU tied the match at the 79th minute off a  goal from Hannah Petrucci
      • Danika Hoth made four saves
  • picked 7th of 12 teams in the GPAC preseason poll
  • Head Coach: John Hakari - 5th year
    • 1st year at DWU: 2022
    • previously served as head coach for Southeast Community College (Neb.)
  • 2025 record: 4-2-5 (6th in GPAC), 5-4-8 overall
    • lost to Hastings in the GPAC Quarterfinals 2-0
  • return 7 starters, 17 players
  • 2026 stats:
    • scored 10 goals, 1.7 / match 
    • allowed 7 goals, 1.2 / match
  • Leaders (2026 season stats): 
    • Arlette Montanez - 2 goals, 1 assist
    • Hannah Petrucci (2x all-conference) - 2 goals, 1 assist
    • Noelie Prat (all-conference) - 2 goals, 1 assist
    • Megan Hutchinson (all-conference)
    • Danika Hoth - 34 saves (6th in GPAC)