'Dons Host Oakland in #HLMSOC Play
9/12/2025 2:38:00 PM | Men's Soccer
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Saturday is the opening of the Horizon League slate for the Purdue Fort Wayne men's soccer program when Oakland comes to the Summit City for a 4 p.m. start. It is also Family Day, as fans can buy four tickets for $10, either online or at the gate.
Game Day Information
Who: Oakland (0-3-3, 0-0-0 Horizon League) vs. Purdue Fort Wayne (2-0-3, 0-0-0 Horizon League)
When: Saturday, Sept. 13 | 4 p.m.
Where: Fort Wayne, Ind. | Hefner Soccer Complex
Live Stats: Link
Watch: ESPN+
Tickets: Link
All-Time Series: Oakland leads the all-time series 23-1-1. The series dates back to 1982 when both clubs were members of NCAA Division II. The two positive results in the series for the Mastodons came with a 2-1 win in Fort Wayne in 2012 and a 1-1 tie in Fort Wayne in 2022. Oakland won last season 1-0 with the difference being a goal with two seconds left on the clock in the first half.
About the Golden Grizzlies
While Oakland enters the match without a win, they have ties against DePaul, No. 12 Dayton and No. 25 Michigan. All three of their losses (Loyola, Ohio State and Michigan State) have been by just one goal. Marco Mazzel, Tim Allos and Christopher Jean Leger each have two goals on the season. The Golden Grizzlies have started three different goalkeepers this season.
Nice Start
The Mastodons have opened the season 2-0-3, it is their longest unbeaten streak to start a season since the 'Dons opened 1978 with five wins. No Mastodons team has gone undefeated in their first six matches of a season, meaning a win or tie on Saturday vs. Oakland would be a first for the Mastodon program.
No Losses
The 'Dons are the only team in the Horizon League and one of only 39 teams in the nation without a loss on the season.
All Eyes on 'Dons
The department's sixth annual Party at the Pitch on September 10 drew a record crowd of 1,062. It is the third time the 'Dons have drawn over 1,000 for the event.
OPOTW
Iann Topete had a debut weekend to remember for the Mastodons. He scored twice vs. DePaul to help the 'Dons earn a 3-3 tie against the Blue Demons. His play helped him earn the Horizon League's Offensive Player of the Week honor on Aug. 25.
'Dons & Ends
- Iann Topete is one of four Horizon League student-athletes with three goals on the year. He has been efficient with his attempts, as three of his eight shots on goal have found the back of the net.
- Topete scored the game tying goal vs. Bradley in the final 10 minutes to help the 'Dons earn a 1-1 decision against the Braves. He's shown a knack for scoring in the second half, after adding two late goals vs. DePaul to knot the match at three.
- Sep Habibi has a 0.89 goals against average on the season. He has two shutouts and one combined shutout this season.
- Shane Anderson has a league-best four assists on the season, tied for fourth in the nation in total assists.
- Shane Anderson is tied for the league lead in shots with 16.
- Angel Rodriguez scored twice against Manchester for his first goals as a Mastodon. He scored six in his first two seasons at NIU in 2022 and 2023.
- At 8.20, the Mastodons are sixth in the nation in shots on goal per game.
'Dons Picked Fifth
Purdue Fort Wayne was picked to finish fifth in the 10-team Horizon League, according to a vote by the league's head coaches in the 2025 preseason poll. The 'Dons earned 57 points with one first place vote. They were one of only five teams in the league to earn a first place vote. Green Bay was selected as the favorite with 87 points and four first place votes. The fifth place prediction is the highest finish the Mastodons have ever had in a Horizon League Preseason Poll. Should the 'Dons finish fifth, it would mean a third consecutive league postseason berth.
New Challenge
The Purdue Fort Wayne or Indiana Fort Wayne student who attends the most Mastodon home athletics events this year will win an iPad at the end of the 2025-26 school year! Make sure to check in and get your QR code scanned at the game to start tracking your attendance.
Coming Up
The 'Dons return to action in a week on Saturday, Sept. 20 at Wright State.
~ Feel The Rumble ~
Game Day Information
Who: Oakland (0-3-3, 0-0-0 Horizon League) vs. Purdue Fort Wayne (2-0-3, 0-0-0 Horizon League)
When: Saturday, Sept. 13 | 4 p.m.
Where: Fort Wayne, Ind. | Hefner Soccer Complex
Live Stats: Link
Watch: ESPN+
Tickets: Link
All-Time Series: Oakland leads the all-time series 23-1-1. The series dates back to 1982 when both clubs were members of NCAA Division II. The two positive results in the series for the Mastodons came with a 2-1 win in Fort Wayne in 2012 and a 1-1 tie in Fort Wayne in 2022. Oakland won last season 1-0 with the difference being a goal with two seconds left on the clock in the first half.
About the Golden Grizzlies
While Oakland enters the match without a win, they have ties against DePaul, No. 12 Dayton and No. 25 Michigan. All three of their losses (Loyola, Ohio State and Michigan State) have been by just one goal. Marco Mazzel, Tim Allos and Christopher Jean Leger each have two goals on the season. The Golden Grizzlies have started three different goalkeepers this season.
Nice Start
The Mastodons have opened the season 2-0-3, it is their longest unbeaten streak to start a season since the 'Dons opened 1978 with five wins. No Mastodons team has gone undefeated in their first six matches of a season, meaning a win or tie on Saturday vs. Oakland would be a first for the Mastodon program.
No Losses
The 'Dons are the only team in the Horizon League and one of only 39 teams in the nation without a loss on the season.
All Eyes on 'Dons
The department's sixth annual Party at the Pitch on September 10 drew a record crowd of 1,062. It is the third time the 'Dons have drawn over 1,000 for the event.
OPOTW
Iann Topete had a debut weekend to remember for the Mastodons. He scored twice vs. DePaul to help the 'Dons earn a 3-3 tie against the Blue Demons. His play helped him earn the Horizon League's Offensive Player of the Week honor on Aug. 25.
'Dons & Ends
- Iann Topete is one of four Horizon League student-athletes with three goals on the year. He has been efficient with his attempts, as three of his eight shots on goal have found the back of the net.
- Topete scored the game tying goal vs. Bradley in the final 10 minutes to help the 'Dons earn a 1-1 decision against the Braves. He's shown a knack for scoring in the second half, after adding two late goals vs. DePaul to knot the match at three.
- Sep Habibi has a 0.89 goals against average on the season. He has two shutouts and one combined shutout this season.
- Shane Anderson has a league-best four assists on the season, tied for fourth in the nation in total assists.
- Shane Anderson is tied for the league lead in shots with 16.
- Angel Rodriguez scored twice against Manchester for his first goals as a Mastodon. He scored six in his first two seasons at NIU in 2022 and 2023.
- At 8.20, the Mastodons are sixth in the nation in shots on goal per game.
'Dons Picked Fifth
Purdue Fort Wayne was picked to finish fifth in the 10-team Horizon League, according to a vote by the league's head coaches in the 2025 preseason poll. The 'Dons earned 57 points with one first place vote. They were one of only five teams in the league to earn a first place vote. Green Bay was selected as the favorite with 87 points and four first place votes. The fifth place prediction is the highest finish the Mastodons have ever had in a Horizon League Preseason Poll. Should the 'Dons finish fifth, it would mean a third consecutive league postseason berth.
New Challenge
The Purdue Fort Wayne or Indiana Fort Wayne student who attends the most Mastodon home athletics events this year will win an iPad at the end of the 2025-26 school year! Make sure to check in and get your QR code scanned at the game to start tracking your attendance.
Coming Up
The 'Dons return to action in a week on Saturday, Sept. 20 at Wright State.
~ Feel The Rumble ~
Players Mentioned
F
/ Men's Soccer
GK
/ Men's Soccer
MF
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's SoccerParty at the Pitch 2025
Thursday, September 11
2024 Party at the Pitch
Wednesday, August 28
2024 Mastodon Hall of Fame Ceremony
Tuesday, February 06
#HLMSOC Quarterfinals Recap
Monday, November 06
