The Purdue Northwest Women's Soccer team saw its 2026 season come to a close Tuesday afternoon, falling to Grand Valley State, 4-1, in the GLIAC Tournament Quarterfinals at the GVSU Soccer Field. The Lions struck first on a first-half goal from senior Sofia Camarillo (Silvis, Ill./United Township), but the Lakers responded with four second-half goals to advance in the conference tournament.
The Basics
- Records: Purdue Northwest (6-7-6), Grand Valley State (11-3-5)
- Location: GVSU Soccer Field – Allendale, Mich.
- Attendance: 202
Inside the Numbers
- Camarillo scored her third goal of the season, giving the Lions an early 1-0 lead in the 20th minute.
- Junior Mia Davis (Naperville, Ill./Plainfield North) and senior Addison Thomas (Grand Blanc, Mich./Grand Blanc) each recorded an assist on Camarillo's goal.
- Purdue Northwest finished with two shots, and both attempts were on goal.
- Camarillo and Thomas accounted for the Lions' two shots on target.
- Senior goalkeeper Meta Fischer (DeForest, Wis./DeForest) played all 90 minutes and recorded 10 saves.
- Senior Sarah Scaling (Dexter, Mich./Dexter), junior Audrey Driskell (Ypsilanti, Mich./Saline), senior Abby Schaft (Troy, Ill./Triad), senior Natasha Tanner (Perth, Australia/Woodvale Secondary College), Thomas, and Fischer each played the full 90 minutes.
- Grand Valley State held advantages in shots (32-2), shots on goal (14-2), and corner kicks (9-2).
- The Lions committed four fouls while the Lakers were whistled for seven.
The Breakdown
- Purdue Northwest capitalized on an early opportunity in the 20th minute when Camarillo found the back of the net at 19:52. Davis and Thomas earned assists on the play, giving the Lions a 1-0 advantage.
- The Lakers applied pressure throughout the opening half, out-shooting the Lions 17-1, but Fischer recorded six saves before halftime to preserve the lead.
- Grand Valley State broke through in the 55th minute when Rachael Wright scored the equalizer, tying the match at 1-1.
- The Lakers took their first lead of the afternoon at 70:03 as Kendall Aikens converted off an assist from Acadia Murphy.
- Grand Valley State added insurance goals in the 78th and 88th minutes from Sarah Langley and Lina Rea to pull away for the 4-1 victory.
- Fischer finished the contest with 10 saves, including four in the second half.
Season Recap
- Purdue Northwest concluded the 2026 campaign with a 6-7-6 overall record and earned a berth in the GLIAC Tournament.
- PNW scored 25 goals on the year, scoring 1.32 goals per game.
- Davis led the team in goals (9) and points (21).
- Fischer ended the season earned every start in net for the Lions and finished with 102 saves, 1.27 goals allowed average, and a great .810 saves percentage.
- The Lions qualified for postseason play after closing the regular season with a 1-0 shutout victory over Parkside.
- Tuesday's quarterfinal appearance marked the end of the season for a Lions squad that battled its way into the conference postseason field.
