On August 5 at 5 p.m., the Purdue Fort Wayne women's soccer team will open its preseason schedule against Western Michigan at the Hefner Soccer Complex in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The exhibition marks the latest meeting in a series that began in 2018 and has seen the Mastodons claim all five encounters, the most recent a 2‑1 victory.
A legacy of dominance
Western Michigan enters the match after a strong 2023 campaign that ended with a 16‑4‑1 overall record and a 10‑1‑1 mark in Mid‑American Conference play. Sophomore goalkeeper Reagan Sulaver, who earned MAC Freshman of the Year honors, and midfielder Meredith Vance, a member of the MAC All‑Tournament Team, headline a roster that finished the season as conference champions.
New faces and fresh ideas
The Mastodons have bolstered the squad with six freshmen — Aimee Abraham, Reese Alexander, Dalia Sabet, Lexi Toporcer, Soraya Flading and Ellie Ulrich — and three transfers: Maggie Marlin, Paige Radel and Elise Mayfield. Adding to the coaching staff, Jordan Imes joins as an assistant coach, while Josh Routte, formerly a goalkeeper coach for both Purdue Fort Wayne men's and women's programs, now serves as associate head coach. Their arrivals bring new energy to a team that also saw sixteen players recognized on the Horizon League Academic Honor Roll after the spring semester.
A second test in Ohio
Just five days after the Fort Wayne showdown, the Broncos will travel to Oxford, Ohio, to face Miami University on August 10 at 7 p.m. The back‑to‑back exhibitions provide a valuable opportunity for both programs to fine‑tune strategies and evaluate talent before the regular season begins.
With a blend of proven performers, promising newcomers and experienced coaching leadership, the Purdue Fort Wayne women's soccer team is poised to carry its recent success into the new campaign. Fans can expect an exciting display of skill and competitiveness as the Mastodons continue to build on a winning tradition against their Mid‑American rivals.