On August 8, 2026, the Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons will open their preseason with a friendly against the Marquette Golden Eagles at the Hefner Soccer Complex in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The match, which will be open to the public at no charge, will employ a running clock to keep the action moving.
A Community‑Focused Kickoff
Marquette arrives under the guidance of head coach David Korn, who is entering his third year with the program after a distinguished tenure at Maryville (Mo.) that produced three conference tournament titles. The Golden Eagles, who finished the 2025 campaign with a 7‑7‑2 record, hold a 2‑0‑1 edge in the three previous exhibition meetings, having prevailed in 1996 and 2023 before a 0‑0 stalemate in 2024.
The Mastodons will showcase a blend of experience and fresh talent. Returning standouts such as Aidan Antcliff, a 2023 Horizon League All‑Freshman Team selection, and Sep Habibi, a 2025 All‑League Second Team honoree, will be joined by newcomers Jordan Rodgers, Nico Mullen and Marko Martsinkovsky. Sophomore Mads Konrad Horgøien, who burst onto the scene with six goals and three game‑winning strikes last season, will look to build on that momentum.
The team’s recent run to the 2025 Horizon League Championship, ultimately decided in extra time by Cleveland State, highlighted the program’s growth. Notable graduates including Offensive Player of the Year Shane Anderson, All‑League First Team members Iann Topete and Andrew Hollenbach, have left a strong foundation for the upcoming season.
Beyond the Marquette clash, the Mastodons are slated to meet UIC on August 11, 2026, as part of a broader non‑conference schedule designed to test the squad early and engage local fans.