Local Sports

Purple Aces Knock Off Purdue in Home Opener

08/29/2025

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Hosting Purdue for the first time in program history, the UE women’s soccer team captured their first win over a Power-4 opponent since 2008, taking down the Boilermakers by a score of 2-1 on Thursday night at Arad McCutchan Stadium.

Trailing 1-0 going into halftime, Ella Hamner (Evansville, Ind./Memorial) and Taylor Wehrer (Las Vegas, Nev./Desert Oasis) scored goals within a minute and a half of play to give the Aces a lead they would never relinquish.

Purdue dominated possession throughout the first half of play, scoring a goal in the 13^th minute to open the scoring. However, the Aces were able to keep the Boilermakers at bay for the remainder of the period, entering halftime down by one.

Looking to open their home slate in grand fashion, Evansville flipped a switch following the break. In the 55^th minute, Taylor Johnson (Evansville, Ind./Reitz) used her speed to create a scoring chance. Following a deflected cross from Johnson, Chrysta Vasquez (Las Vegas, Nev./Coronado) collected the ball off the right side of the goal, passed it back to Johnson, who found Hamner wide open in the middle of the box. From there, the junior buried a laser of a shot into the bottom right corner to equalize.

Less than two minutes later, the Aces threatened again, as Johnson drew a yellow card 10 yards outside the box to earn a free kick. Wehrer stepped up for the kick from 28 yards out and drilled a shot off the top post, which found the back of the goal for a bar down goal, giving the Aces a 2-1 lead.

From there, the Evansville defense was able to hold strong, withstanding a wave of Purdue attacks to secure the win.

“This is a really big step for us,” Wehrer said after the win. “I think coming out of here with a win was the biggest thing possible for us.”

Elke Travis (Henderson, Nev./Faith Lutheran) and Allie Lammers (Cincinnati, Ohio/Mount Notre Dame) combined for eight saves in goal, with Travis playing the first half before Lammers took over in the second. The night marked the collegiate debut for Lammers, who made three saves while keeping the Boilermakers off the board in the final 45 minutes.

With the win, Evansville moves at 2-1-0 on the year. The Aces will return to the pitch on Sunday, hosting SIUE at Arad McCutchan Stadium for Alumni Weekend and a celebration of legendary UE head coach Mick Lyon.