Home Opener Preview
The University of Evansville’s women’s soccer squad will open its home schedule on Thursday evening, kicking off at 6 p.m. at the iconic Arad McCutchan Stadium against the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks.
After a hard‑fought 1‑1 draw on the road against Purdue, the Purple Aces showed resilience, with Brooklyn Robinson striking the equaliser in the 47th minute and rookie goalkeeper Bri Chirpich delivering nine saves – the most recorded by an Evansville keeper since 2024 and perhaps since the program’s early years.
Brielle LaBerge’s defensive contributions earned her the Missouri Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Week honor, underscoring the team’s early chemistry.
Series History and Outlook
SEMO arrives with a 2‑15‑2 record from last season and a 2‑5‑2 mark in Ohio Valley Conference play, but the Redhawks did manage a 1‑0 victory over Southern Illinois in their season opener.
Historically, the series favors SEMO, which holds an 8‑5‑5 edge, yet Evansville captured the most recent encounter 4‑3 and is now aiming for its second consecutive win over the Redhawks.
Coaching staff are emphasizing continuity, hoping the experience from the Purdue match will translate into a stronger performance at home as the team looks to build momentum early in the campaign.