The Eastern Illinois women's soccer squad is set to travel to West Lafayette on August 23 to take on Purdue University at Folk Field, marking the third contest of the 2026 campaign and a early test against a Big Ten opponent.
A Promising Start
Entering the match with a 1-0-1 record, the Panthers have already posted a 2-0 victory over Valparaiso and a 0-0 stalemate with UIC, showcasing a defensive resilience that has not been seen in over a decade.
Goalkeeper Ella Kratochvil has been a cornerstone of that effort, earning OVC Goalkeeper of the Year honors after a series of six-save performances, while defender Casey Kittridge was recognized as the conference’s Defender of the Week following the Valparaiso win. Freshman forward Amelia Mundo also celebrated her first career goal in the season opener, adding depth to the attack.
Head coach Dirk Bennett, now in his fourth year at the helm, guided the team to a preseason second‑place finish in the OVC poll, collecting five first‑place votes, and the Panthers hope to translate that optimism into a sustained run of success.
The schedule will continue with home fixtures against Indiana State on August 27 and Purdue Fort Wayne on August 30, giving the team a chance to build momentum before conference play ramps up.