Women's Soccer Hosts Valparaiso for Party at the Pitch

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - The Purdue Fort Wayne women's soccer team returns home Thursday (Sept. 3) to host Valparaiso as part of the department's annual Party at the Pitch at the Hefner Soccer Complex. The 'Dons and Beacons kick off at 4 p.m. The Mastodon men's soccer team will host Manchester at 7 p.m. as part of the festivities. There will be food trucks, giveaways, games and a beer tent (21+). The event is presented by Army ROTC and hosted by the Student Activities Board. Students will receive a free jersey, while the Herd will throw out free water bottles at halftime of each match. The first 350 students will receive a free food voucher. Food trucks include: Drop It Like It's Tot, Another One Bites the Crust, Chau Time, Who Cut the Cheese, King Arthur's, Ziffle's, Sweets on the Street, Dreyer's Ice Cream and Rita's.

Game Day Information
Who: Valparaiso Beacons
When: Thursday, September 3 | 4 PM
Where: Hefner Soccer Complex
Live Stats: Link
Watch: Link
Tickets: Link

Know Your Foe
Valparaiso enters Thursday's match with a 1-3-1 record. The Beacons' three losses have come at Eastern Illinois, Detroit Mercy and Western Michigan, while their lone win came in a 4-0 victory over Western Illinois. Valparaiso also played to a 2-2 draw at Southern Illinois-Edwardsville. The Beacons have scored eight goals on 65 shots this season while allowing nine goals and recording 23 saves. Valparaiso is coming off a 2025 season in which it posted a 5-8-4 overall record and a 2-4-3 mark in Missouri Valley Conference play.

Series History
Valparaiso leads the all-time series 14-6-1, including a 3-0 victory over the Mastodons last season in Valparaiso. Purdue Fort Wayne previously held a four-match winning streak in the series, earning victories in 2018, 2019, 2022 and 2023.

Party at the Pitch History
The Mastodon women are 3-2 all-time in Party at the Pitch contests.
2019
women def. Valparaiso 2-0
men def. Belmont 2-1
2021
women def. UIC 2-0
2022
men lose to Western Michigan 3-0
2023
women def. Robert Morris 2-0
2024
women lose to Central Michigan 6-1
men def. IU East 10-0
2025
women lose to Ball State 1-0
men def. Manchester 3-0

Last Time Out
The Purdue Fort Wayne women's soccer team fell 3-0 on the road at Eastern Illinois on Sunday (Aug. 30). Bella Masse and Mary McArdle led the Mastodons with two shots each, while McArdle also recorded Purdue Fort Wayne's lone shot on goal. The Mastodons matched Eastern Illinois with four corners apiece for the match.

Coming Up
The Mastodons will travel to Illinois State on Sunday (Sept. 6) for a 2 p.m. ET kickoff.

~ Feel the Rumble ~

Women's Soccer Hosts Valparaiso for Party at the Pitch

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Players Mentioned

Bella Masse

Mary McArdle

Purdue University Fort Wayne Athletics