SIOUX CENTER, IOWA – Dakota Wesleyan came up one goal short of its first GPAC men’s soccer championship, falling 2-1 to Dordt in overtime Tuesday night in Sioux Center, Iowa.
The Tigers grabbed an early lead when Evan Bolster scored in the third minute. It was his 14th goal of the season, giving Dakota Wesleyan a 1-0 advantage. Dordt tied the game in the second half on a goal by Pablo Martin before Joao Locatelli scored the game-winner with just over six minutes remaining in overtime.
Dakota Wesleyan outshot Dordt 11-15, with nine shots on goal. The Tigers finish the season 9-6-2 after making their first appearance in the GPAC championship game.
Dordt improves to 13-5-3 and advances as the league’s automatic representative, to the NAIA National Men’s Soccer National Championship Opening Round (on November 19-21). GPAC men’s soccer only receives one automatic bid with eleven teams.
The 2026 NAIA Men’s Soccer National Championship will be November 30-December 7, at the Orange Beach Sportsplex in Orange Beach, Alabama.