Macomb, IL — Western Illinois women's soccer returns to action Thursday evening, traveling to Valparaiso for a 7 p.m. matchup against the Beacons at Brown Field.
The Leathernecks enter Thursday's contest at 0-2 on the season after facing Indiana State and Southern Illinois to open the 2026 campaign. Western Illinois most recently battled Southern Illinois through challenging conditions Sunday afternoon before the Salukis earned a 5-0 victory in Carbondale.
Western Illinois saw Callie McMurtrey and Rita Moran combine to create several promising opportunities against Southern Illinois, while goalkeepers Lillian Johns and Mahee-Lee Caron combined for three saves.
Thursday's matchup gives the Leathernecks an opportunity to respond against a Valparaiso team that enters the contest at 0-1-1. The Beacons opened the season with a 2-0 loss at Eastern Illinois before battling SIUE to a 2-2 draw Sunday.
Valparaiso jumped out to a 1-0 lead against SIUE in the 34th minute when Daisy Boardman scored her first collegiate goal off a corner kick from Sofia Raco. SIUE equalized early in the second half, but Valpo regained the advantage in the 81st minute when Kiara Desiderio scored off an assist from Alyssa Thomas.
The Beacons appeared poised to secure their first win of the season before SIUE scored with just 10.1 seconds remaining to force the 2-2 draw. Valparaiso was outshot 18-10 in the contest but held a 7-6 edge in shots on goal. Goalkeeper Adria Schultz made seven saves in her second collegiate start.
Thursday marks the eighth meeting all-time between Western Illinois and Valparaiso, with the Beacons holding a 5-2 advantage in the series.
The Leathernecks' last victory over Valparaiso came in 2021, when Western Illinois earned a 2-1 victory at Brown Field on Sept. 10. Emmy Ellington and Kayla Turner scored for the Leathernecks in the win.
Valparaiso won the most recent meeting between the two programs, earning a 5-1 victory.
Thursday's match is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Brown Field in Valparaiso, Indiana. The contest will be available to watch on ESPN+.
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