A Tale of Two Teams: Mastodon WSOC’s Journey through the Midwest

Purdue Fort Wayne Women’s Soccer Prepares for Road Games Against SIUE and Southern Indiana

Game Day Information

• Who: SIUE Cougars
• When: Friday, August 25 | 8 PM ET
• Where: Edwardsville, Ill. | Korte Stadium
• Live Stats: Link
• Watch: ESPN+
• Match Notes: Purdue Fort Wayne | SIUE

Game Day Information

• Who: Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles
• When: Sunday, August 27 | 3 PM ET
• Where: Evansville, Ind. | Strassweg Field
• Live Stats: Link
• Watch: ESPN+
• Match Notes: Purdue Fort Wayne | Southern Indiana

Purdue Fort Wayne women’s soccer team is gearing up for a pair of challenging road games against SIUE and Southern Indiana this week. The team is ready to demonstrate their skills and compete against tough opponents. Let’s take a closer look at the upcoming matches and what to expect from the Mastodons.

Know Your Foes

SIUE Cougars

The SIUE Cougars have had a tough start to their season, with two losses against Missouri State and Milwaukee. Despite the losses, the team has shown glimpses of promise, with Ella Robinson scoring a goal just before halftime in their previous match. The Cougars will be looking to bounce back and secure their first win of the season.

Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles

Southern Indiana is coming off a tie with North Alabama and will face Wright State before their match against the Mastodons. The Screaming Eagles had a challenging season opener against IUPUI, but managed to secure a draw with North Alabama thanks to a goal from Maggie Duggan. The team will be eager to build on their recent performance and notch their first victory.

Series Histories

The Mastodons have a mixed history against their upcoming opponents. Against SIUE, Purdue Fort Wayne trails with a 3-1 record, but the two teams haven’t met since 2010. The last time they faced off in Illinois, the Mastodons secured a 2-1 win. In the all-time series against Southern Indiana, the Mastodons trail 2-1, but last season’s game as Division I foes ended in a victory for Purdue Fort Wayne, with Zoe Greenhalge scoring the game-winning goal just two minutes into the game.

Player Spotlight: Samantha Castaneda

Samantha Castaneda, the Mastodons’ goalkeeper, has been selected as one of the nine goalkeepers to watch by the United Soccer Coaches. Her presence in the net will be crucial in the upcoming games, and her past performances demonstrate her skill and composure. With a 1.04 career goals against average, Castaneda holds the best record in program history among goalkeepers who have played at least 750 minutes. Her remarkable record of 0.74 GAA in 2022 is also worth noting, along with her 11 career shutouts.

Team Strengths and Expectations

The Mastodons are entering the season with high expectations, picked to finish third in the Horizon League preseason poll. This is the second-highest ranking a Mastodon women’s soccer team has ever received in a league preseason poll. With nine returning players who started at least 17 of the 19 games last season, the team boasts valuable experience and cohesion. Additionally, their impressive record of eight shutouts last season demonstrates their defensive strength and ability to keep opponents at bay.

Home Advantage

Purdue Fort Wayne had a successful 2022 regular season, finishing with an unbeaten record at the Hefner Soccer Complex. Going 6-0-3 in front of their home crowd, the team achieved an unprecedented milestone in program history. The Mastodons will look to carry their success from last season and continue their strong performances at home.

Upcoming Matches

Purdue Fort Wayne will have the opportunity to showcase their skills in two non-league matches after their road games. Eastern Illinois and Valparaiso will visit the Hefner Soccer Complex, providing the Mastodons with further tests and an opportunity to establish their dominance on their home turf.

As the Mastodons embark on their journey against SIUE and Southern Indiana, the team and its fans are eagerly anticipating their performances. With experienced players, a strong defensive record, and a talented goalkeeper, the Mastodons have the potential to secure victories and make a mark in the Horizon League and beyond.

Feel the Rumble!