WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – In its opening exhibition match of the 2021 season, the Purdue soccer team played to a 1-1 draw against Milwaukee on Wednesday at Folk Field.
On a hot, sunny afternoon, the Boilermakers played their first of two preseason contests after beginning training as a team on August 3.
"You're always excited for that first match, and your expectations are always high because you look good in training," Purdue coach Drew Roff said. "But, the reality is it's always a challenge to go out and play your first exhibition during preseason. You're working really hard, and we're doing two-a-days, so you never know just how recovered (they are) and how they're going to deal with the consistent workload (of a match). But, I thought they handled it pretty well. There definitely was some sharpness that was lacking a bit. Usually we'd knock the ball around with more pace and a little more movement, and I thought we looked a little stagnant at times. So, that was a little disappointing but, it's just the start.
"This game and Saturday are opportunities to see those things against another opponent, so I thought today's performance was good, it wasn't lights out, but at the same time, the first time out, it probably shouldn't be. We all would like it to be, but realistically, we have some work to do. Overall, players played hard and some positives came out of it."
Up next, the Boilermakers host Marquette on Saturday, August 14. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET at Folk Field, and admission will be free. It is the final exhibition game before the regular-season-opener on Thursday, August 19, when Purdue welcomes Kentucky to Folk Field at 7 p.m.
For more on the Purdue soccer team, visit PurdueSports.com/Soccer and follow and connect with the Boilermakers at @PurdueSoccer on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
On a hot, sunny afternoon, the Boilermakers played their first of two preseason contests after beginning training as a team on August 3.
"You're always excited for that first match, and your expectations are always high because you look good in training," Purdue coach Drew Roff said. "But, the reality is it's always a challenge to go out and play your first exhibition during preseason. You're working really hard, and we're doing two-a-days, so you never know just how recovered (they are) and how they're going to deal with the consistent workload (of a match). But, I thought they handled it pretty well. There definitely was some sharpness that was lacking a bit. Usually we'd knock the ball around with more pace and a little more movement, and I thought we looked a little stagnant at times. So, that was a little disappointing but, it's just the start.
"This game and Saturday are opportunities to see those things against another opponent, so I thought today's performance was good, it wasn't lights out, but at the same time, the first time out, it probably shouldn't be. We all would like it to be, but realistically, we have some work to do. Overall, players played hard and some positives came out of it."
Up next, the Boilermakers host Marquette on Saturday, August 14. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET at Folk Field, and admission will be free. It is the final exhibition game before the regular-season-opener on Thursday, August 19, when Purdue welcomes Kentucky to Folk Field at 7 p.m.
For more on the Purdue soccer team, visit PurdueSports.com/Soccer and follow and connect with the Boilermakers at @PurdueSoccer on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.