The Valpo Beacons are set to meet Western Michigan on Sunday, August 30, at noon Central Time, a matchup that pits two programs with contrasting recent trajectories against each other.
Valpo arrives with a 1‑0‑2 start to the season and a goal differential that has swung dramatically in its favor, having outscored opponents 21‑28 in 2025 after a 21‑goal haul that includes a 4‑0 victory over Western Illinois, the biggest home win since 2023.
Head coach has emphasized the return of 16 players from last year, eight of whom were regular starters, and the addition of nine newcomers, among them Salange Bell, the 2022 MVC Goalkeeper of the Year, and freshman Adria Schultz.
The offensive firepower is anchored by sophomore Kiara Desiderio, who earned MVC Freshman of the Year honors and has already tallied nine goals, and by sophomore Martha Goddard, whose brace against Western Illinois featured a converted penalty and now stands at five career goals.
Junior Ashley Trippeer contributed a match‑winning assist in that same game, while junior Alyssa Thomas has strung together three consecutive assists, the first time she has done so since 2017, and senior defender Daisy Boardman celebrated her 50th appearance with her first collegiate goal.
Road Test Ahead
Across the field, Western Michigan enters the contest as the 2025 MAC regular‑season and tournament champion and the preseason favorite for the 2026 MAC title, boasting a home record of 24‑2‑4 at the WMU Soccer Complex since 2023.
The Beacons will soon test that defense as they embark on a three‑game road stretch that also includes meetings with Purdue Fort Wayne and Milwaukee, both of which posted strong 2025 campaigns.
Coach notes that the upcoming schedule is designed to challenge the squad, but the team feels confident after a season in which they improved their goal differential by 21 goals and demonstrated depth across the roster.