Mastodons Ready to Party on Thursday

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Purdue Fort Wayne women's soccer team starts Horizon League at the Hefner Soccer Complex against UIC on Thursday, Sept. 16 (6 p.m.).

Game Day Information
Who: Purdue Fort Wayne (1-2-4, 0-0-0 Horizon League) vs. UIC (0-5-1, 0-0-0 Horizon League)
When: Thursday, September 16 | 6:00 p.m. ET
Where: Hefner Soccer Complex | Fort Wayne, Ind.
Series History: UIC leads 1-0. This is the second time the Mastodons and the Flames will meet. The lone match between the two teams was a 2-0 win for UIC in Loves Park, Ill.
Live Stats: Link
ESPN+: Link
Weather: Sunny, high of 81 degrees

Scouting the 'Dons
The Mastodons head into Horizon League action with a 1-2-4 record. The Mastodons have already set the single season program record for ties in a season with four. Under head coach Jason Burr, the Mastodons are 1-0 in Horizon League home openers. The win came against Cleveland State by a score of 3-2 back on Feb. 25, 2021. Burr has played 20 players in all seven games to start the season.

The Mastodons are led by Kelsey Gallagher, who leads the team in points (five), assists (three) and is tied for second in goals (one). Gallagher sits tied for fifth in the Horizon League in assists. The Mastodons' leading goal scorer is Mackenzie Evans with two goals. Samantha Castaneda has started all seven games in goal for the 'Dons. In the Horizon League, she ranks first in minutes played (700:52), second in shutouts (two), saves (45), and saves per game (6.43).

Scouting UIC
UIC enters Thursday's game with a 0-5-1 record. Its lone tie came against Minnesota back on Aug. 22 by a score of 0-0. The Flames were picked to finish fourth in the Horizon League, which included a first place vote. The Flames are still looking for their first goal of the season. Grace Setter was one of three Flames who scored led the team in scoring in the spring, with three goals. Setter is second on the Flames in shots (four) behind Makena Shaw (seven).

UIC is led by first year head coach David Nikolic. Nikolic comes to UIC after nine seasons as the associate head coach at Northwestern University. He helped the Wildcats earn four straight NCAA Tournament berths from 2015-18, including a Sweet 16 appearance in 2016. Northwestern also captured the 2016 Big Ten Regular Season Championship. Prior to his tenure at Northwestern, Nikolic helped guide Milwaukee to 13 Horizon League regular season titles, 12 consecutive Horizon League Championships and nine NCAA Tournament appearances.

Party Time
Thursday's game will feature the second annual Party at the Pitch. Festivities will begin at 5 p.m. with games, music, food trucks, and a beer tent for patrons over the age of 21. The first 200 students in attendance will receive a Mastodon soccer scarf and $10 in food truck vouchers. Admission for the event is free for all. Per Purdue Fort Wayne campus policy, a mask is not required outdoors.

Up Next
The Mastodons will hit the road for a Horizon League came against IUPUI on Sunday, Sept. 19 (1 p.m.). The Jaguars are 1-5-1 on the season. Their lone win of the season came against Marian University (Ind.) back on Aug. 23.

~ Feel The Rumble ~

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Players Mentioned

Samantha Castaneda

Mackenzie Evans

Kelsey Gallagher

Purdue University Fort Wayne Athletics