Boilermakers Fall at UCLA

Purdue women’s soccer suffered its first loss of the 2026 season Thursday night, falling 2-1 to UCLA in the Boilermakers’ Big Ten Conference opener at Wallis Annenberg Stadium.

After entering conference play unbeaten, Purdue drops to 6-1-1 overall and 0-1 in the Big Ten, while UCLA improves to 4-2-1 and 1-0 in conference action.

The Bruins struck first in the 18th minute. Grace Shank scored her second goal of the season to give UCLA a 1-0 advantage.

Purdue found its answer just before halftime.

Rosa Maalouf, who entered as a substitute, delivered the equalizer in the 44th minute. Maalouf’s unassisted goal was her fifth of the season and sent the Boilermakers into halftime tied with the Bruins at 1-1.

UCLA quickly regained the lead after the break. Kara Croone converted a penalty kick in the 49th minute for her third goal of the season, putting the Bruins back in front 2-1.

Purdue pushed for another equalizer and generated five shots and three corner kicks during the second half, but UCLA goalkeeper Lynette Bryant kept the Boilermakers off the board. Bryant finished with four saves.

The Boilermakers were narrowly outshot 11-9 overall, with UCLA holding a 6-5 advantage in shots on goal. The Bruins also had a slim 5-4 edge in corner kicks.

Gabriela Angulo and Megan Santa Cruz led Purdue with three shots apiece. Angulo put two attempts on goal, while Santa Cruz had one. Irene Campo recorded two shots with one on target, while Maalouf scored on her only attempt.

Purdue goalkeeper Krystina Wolf made four saves while allowing two goals in the loss.

Despite the defeat, Purdue went toe-to-toe on the road with UCLA throughout the conference opener. The Boilermakers now turn their attention to the second half of their West Coast trip as they prepare to face USC on Sunday in Los Angeles.