Thursday, August 21
West Lafayette, Ind.
6 P.M. CT
DePaul University
2-1-0, 0-0-0
2
at
0
Purdue
2-1-0, 0-0-0
1
2
F
DePaul
0
2
2
Purdue
0
0
0
Women’s Soccer Downs Purdue for First Time in Program History
8/21/2025 9:45:00 PM | WOMEN'S SOCCER
Blue Demons silence 2,000 vuvuzelas in 2-0 road win
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – In another historic result early in the season, DePaul women's soccer downed Purdue in a 2-0 decision on Thursday night, the first Blue Demon victory and shutout over the Boilermakers in program history. The result also marked DePaul's first Power Five win since 2019 and its first victory over a Big Ten opponent since 2018.
"[Purdue] is a statement win for us," said head coach Michele O'Brien. "To come away on the road against a Big Ten team, in front of a big crowd, and keep our composure while sticking to our game plan was a very disciplined and professional performance. Getting buy-in from the players is really important to our staff; they're being super coachable, taking the information, and executing."
On the night of Purdue's annual Gold Rush match that drew nearly 3,700 fans, DePaul (2-1-0) came to West Lafayette looking to respond after falling in its last outing. The lights at Folk Field set the stage, with the true backdrop being the roar of 2,000 vuvuzelas that amplified an already raucous crowd. The deafening chorus carried on for nearly two straight hours, but it was the Blue Demons who had the final say.
Purdue (2-1-0) dictated much of the first half, carrying the majority of possession and holding a significant shot advantage, but could not find a way through the DePaul back line. The Blue Demons absorbed the pressure and broke through in the second half, striking twice in a two-minute span to secure the historic road win.
"The result shows the trajectory and direction we're headed," said Coach O'Brien. "The noisemakers didn't faze us; it was a players' game. It was nice to see that trust and quick decision-making in the moment, and even with the volume of the crowd, it didn't bother us."
How It Happened
From the 11th to the 14th minute, Purdue sent four shots toward goal, all coming up short as goalkeeper Mason Hillery kept the scoreline level. DePaul's first look came in the 20th minute when Tessa Fagerson forced a save from Ally Lynch. The Blue Demons' best chance of the half arrived with less than two minutes remaining, as Sienna Gonzales unleashed a left-footed rocket that bent just over the crossbar and out of reach of the net.
DePaul settled into the match defensively and held Purdue without a shot for the final nine minutes of the opening half, keeping the scoreboard even at the break despite the Boilermakers' edge in possession and attempts.
A potentially game-shifting moment came in the 55th minute when Nahla Dominguez lined up the Blue Demons' first corner kick of the night, only for a Purdue defender to rise and head the ball clear. Minutes later, Marin Stamper's 61st-minute breakaway attempt deflected off the shin guard of a Boilermaker defender, resulting in another DePaul corner that again came up just short.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 74th minute when Shayna da Silva set up Fagerson for the opener, her second goal of the season. Less than two minutes later, Mya Gardner slipped a pass to Danielle Fjeldsted, who buried her first career goal to double the advantage. Hillery and the back line handled the final push from Purdue, securing the shutout victory.
Match Notes
Up Next
DePaul returns to Wish Field for a four-match homestand beginning Sunday, Aug. 24, against Loyola Chicago, and admission is free for all fans.
FOLLOW THE BLUE DEMONS
For all the latest information on DePaul Women's Soccer, visit DePaulBlueDemons.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Blue Demons on Facebook, Instagram, X.
"[Purdue] is a statement win for us," said head coach Michele O'Brien. "To come away on the road against a Big Ten team, in front of a big crowd, and keep our composure while sticking to our game plan was a very disciplined and professional performance. Getting buy-in from the players is really important to our staff; they're being super coachable, taking the information, and executing."
On the night of Purdue's annual Gold Rush match that drew nearly 3,700 fans, DePaul (2-1-0) came to West Lafayette looking to respond after falling in its last outing. The lights at Folk Field set the stage, with the true backdrop being the roar of 2,000 vuvuzelas that amplified an already raucous crowd. The deafening chorus carried on for nearly two straight hours, but it was the Blue Demons who had the final say.
Purdue (2-1-0) dictated much of the first half, carrying the majority of possession and holding a significant shot advantage, but could not find a way through the DePaul back line. The Blue Demons absorbed the pressure and broke through in the second half, striking twice in a two-minute span to secure the historic road win.
"The result shows the trajectory and direction we're headed," said Coach O'Brien. "The noisemakers didn't faze us; it was a players' game. It was nice to see that trust and quick decision-making in the moment, and even with the volume of the crowd, it didn't bother us."
How It Happened
From the 11th to the 14th minute, Purdue sent four shots toward goal, all coming up short as goalkeeper Mason Hillery kept the scoreline level. DePaul's first look came in the 20th minute when Tessa Fagerson forced a save from Ally Lynch. The Blue Demons' best chance of the half arrived with less than two minutes remaining, as Sienna Gonzales unleashed a left-footed rocket that bent just over the crossbar and out of reach of the net.
DePaul settled into the match defensively and held Purdue without a shot for the final nine minutes of the opening half, keeping the scoreboard even at the break despite the Boilermakers' edge in possession and attempts.
A potentially game-shifting moment came in the 55th minute when Nahla Dominguez lined up the Blue Demons' first corner kick of the night, only for a Purdue defender to rise and head the ball clear. Minutes later, Marin Stamper's 61st-minute breakaway attempt deflected off the shin guard of a Boilermaker defender, resulting in another DePaul corner that again came up just short.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 74th minute when Shayna da Silva set up Fagerson for the opener, her second goal of the season. Less than two minutes later, Mya Gardner slipped a pass to Danielle Fjeldsted, who buried her first career goal to double the advantage. Hillery and the back line handled the final push from Purdue, securing the shutout victory.
Match Notes
- DePaul defeated Purdue for the first time in program history (1-7-1 all-time) and earned its first shutout in the series.
- The Blue Demons recorded their first Power Five win since 2019 and first victory over a Big Ten opponent since 2018.
- DePaul has opened a season with two or more wins in its first three matches for the first time since 2018.
- Goalkeeper Mason Hillery tallied three saves in her first career shutout.
- Freshman defender Sydnee Maxwell made her first collegiate start.
- Junior Shayna da Silva picked up her second assist in three matches to open the season, bringing her career total to four.
- Mya Gardner secured her first assist of the year and the second of her career.
- Purdue held a 17-6 advantage in shot attempts.
- Four of DePaul's six shots were on target.
Up Next
DePaul returns to Wish Field for a four-match homestand beginning Sunday, Aug. 24, against Loyola Chicago, and admission is free for all fans.
FOLLOW THE BLUE DEMONS
For all the latest information on DePaul Women's Soccer, visit DePaulBlueDemons.com. For up-to-the-minute updates, follow the Blue Demons on Facebook, Instagram, X.
Team Stats
DPU
PUR
Goals
2
0
Shots
6
17
Shots on Goal
4
3
Saves
3
2
Corners
2
7
Fouls
7
9
Scoring Plays
Tessa Fagerson (2)
Assisted By: Shayna da Silva
GOAL by DPU Fagerson, Tessa Assist by da Silva, Shayna.
73:09
Danielle Fjeldsted (1)
Assisted By: Mya Gardner
GOAL by DPU Fjeldsted, Danielle Assist by Gardner, Mya.
74:50
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
1
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
1
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Players Mentioned
M
/ WOMEN'S SOCCER
M
/ WOMEN'S SOCCERF
/ WOMEN'S SOCCERM
/ WOMEN'S SOCCERF
/ WOMEN'S SOCCER
F
/ WOMEN'S SOCCER
GK
/ WOMEN'S SOCCER
D/M
/ WOMEN'S SOCCER
M/F
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