Mastodon Men's Soccer set for Home Opener

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Mastodon men's soccer team (0-2-0) returns to Hefner Soccer Complex for the first time in the 2023 season as they host Bellarmine on Friday (Sept. 1).

Game Day Information
Who: Bellarmine Knights
When: Friday, September 1 | 1 PM ET
Where: Fort Wayne, Ind. | Hefner Soccer Complex
Live Stats: Link
Watch: ESPN+

Know Your Foe: The Knights are 0-1-1 on the young season. They open the season with three straight road matches, starting with a 1-1 draw with Evansville. They lost to Louisville 3-0 ahead of Friday's match against Purdue Fort Wayne. Calle Sjoberg has the lone goal this season for Bellarmine.

Series History: Since both schools moved up to Division I, Bellarmine holds a 2-0 record against Purdue Fort Wayne. The Knights won 1-0 in overtime in their 2021 trip to Fort Wayne and won 2-0 in Louisville last season.

Old Rivals: Purdue Fort Wayne and Bellarmine were rivals back in their Division II days. Both programs were members of the Great Lakes Valley Conference. The Mastodons won the last DII meeting between the two teams 2-1 back in 2000.

Home Sweet Home: Friday will be the first of seven home matches for the 'Dons in the 2023 season.

More Minutes for Morrell: Luke Morrell is the only Mastodon to play all 180 minutes of action this season. A transfer from Michigan State, Morrell will make his home debut on Friday for Purdue Fort Wayne. Morrell started his collegiate career at Oakland where he was an all-league pick.

A Team Effort: Through the first two matches this season, 20 different Mastodon players have seen at least 13 minutes of action. The same 10 men have started in the field for Purdue Fort Wayne, but several more have been able to spell the starters and keep fresh legs on the field.

First Half Defense: The Mastodons have yet to allow a goal in the first half of a match this season. Purdue Fort Wayne kept Wisconsin off the board for 50 minutes and Marquette for 47 minutes.

Up Next
The 'Dons head back to Wisconsin next weekend to face Milwaukee at 4 PM on September 9 to open league play.

~ Feel The Rumble ~

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Players Mentioned

Luke Morrell

Purdue University Fort Wayne Athletics