Game Time...The Northwestern College men's soccer team continues its 2020 season this weekend with a non-conference match-up against Dordt. Saturday's game (Sept. 12) in Sioux Center will begin at 3:30pm. Both teams played Missouri Baptist in their respective season openers; Northwestern defeated the Spartans 3-0 while the Defenders lost 6-2. 

    Follow the game live at the following links: Watch (via Dordt) | Live Stats

All-Time... Northwestern and Dordt have split the 26 games played in the all-time series, dating back to the first match played in 1995. The Raiders have had the upper hand of late, however, winning the last five games and are 7-3 in their last 10 games against Dordt. During their current five-game win streak, Northwestern has allowed just one goal and has outscored the Defenders 12-1 since 2015, recording four consecutive shutouts. 

Scouting Reports...
    
    Dordt University: 0-1            Head Coach: Ryan Gresse (2nd)

The Defenders lost to Missouri Baptist 6-2 in their season opener played Sept. 7 in Sioux Center. A goal from Quintin Olson put the hosts up 1-0 at the 25-minute mark and Dordt carried that advantage into halftime. MBU, however, scored three goals in a span of eight minutes early in the second frame for a 3-1 led. Dordt came back with its second goal during the 63rd minute to cut the lead down to 3-2 but the Spartans quickly answered with three more goals during the final 27 minutes to earn the win. 

Gresse begins his second season as the Defenders head coach after serving as both the men's and women's assistant coach during the 2018 season. Gresse, a former club and high school coach, returns seven starters and 13 players from a 2019 team that finished 11th in the GPAC at 1-8-2, 3-12-3 overall. Dordt was picked to finish ninth of 12 teams in the GPAC preseason poll. 

    By the Numbers (2019 Stats / GPAC rank)
    Goals / Game: .9 (T10th)
    Goals Against / Game: 2.6 (11th)
    Shutouts: 3

    Top Players Returning (2019 Stats)
    Patrick Munsey - 6 goals
    Garret Vander Zee - 2 goals
    Luke Foster - 1 goal, 1 assist
    Nathan Wanninger - 1 goal

Northwestern Notes:  1-0            Head Coach: Dan Swier (13th year)

The Raiders earned a 3-0 win over Missouri Baptist in their season opener played Sept. 5 in Orange City. Ezekiel Foltz registered eight saves and picked up a shutout in his first career start with the Raiders. Joshua Wingfield, Philippe Patri and Jake Foscalina all found the back of the net for Head Coach Dan Swier's squad. Northwestern put 10 shots on goal against the Spartans. 

Head Coach Dan Swier in his 13th season as the head of the men's soccer program at Northwestern and brings over 40 players into the 2020 season. Swier owns most wins (114), best win percentage (54%) in program history and has guided Raider teams to the postseason nine consecutive years. 

    By the Numbers (2019 Stats, GPAC rank)
    Goals / Game: 1.8 (6th)
    Goals Against / Game: 1.6 (6th)

    Top Players Returning (2019 Stats)
    Jake Foscalina (2nd team All-Conf)  11 goals, 1 assists
    Christopher Ten Pas (HM All-Conf)  2 assists
    James Bolger  3 goals, 3 assists
    Matt Roll  3 goals
    Brennan Haggerty  1 goal, 3 assists