WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – In its final home game of the 2024 season, the Purdue soccer team took down Rutgers 2-0 at Folk Field on Thursday night.
The Big Ten Conference win marked the Boilermakers' seventh shutout of the season, their most through 16 games since 2019.
Goalkeeper Wyville Claire, the fifth-year senior from Morriston, Ontario, Canada, amassed 10 saves in just her second start as a Boilermaker. It was the first time a Purdue netminder totaled double-digit saves since nearly two years ago to the day, when Kailey Kimball had 10 on Oct. 20, 2022, at Minnesota.
Kayla Budish and Sydney Boudreau provided the offensive fireworks in Purdue's annual Hammer Down Cancer game, nabbing their third and first goals of the season, respectively.
In the 21st minute, Budish got the Boilers (7-7-2, 3-5-1 Big Ten) on the board as she dashed to tap in a deflection off the Scarlet Knights' goalkeeper. Though she wasn't credited with an assist due to the touch by Rutgers (9-3-3, 5-2-2 Big Ten), Lexi Fraley set up the scoring chance by sending a crossing shot toward the netminder.
Purdue continued to pepper shots throughout the first half, and Boudreau found the back of the net just seven minutes after Budish's goal to score her first of the season in the 28th minute.
Lauren Meeks streaked in from the left side of the 18-yard box and placed a beautiful centering pass right on Gracie Dunaway at the top of the goal area. Dunaway headed the ball high, forcing Rutgers keeper Olivia Bodmer to leap up and bat it away, falling to the ground. Boudreau was there to high-point the ball into the back of the net and extend Purdue's lead.
The scoring shot served as the senior defender's first goal of the season and the second of her career. Her first goal came in just her fourth career game, against Colorado as a freshman in 2021.
Despite being outshot 17-10 and outpaced by shots on goal 10-5, Purdue made the most of their opportunities and limited Rutgers to low-probability chances that were often uncorked from deep.
Despite not finding the net in the second half after numerous chances missed just wide or hit off goalposts, Purdue's stellar defensive effort was enough to hold Rutgers off the scoreboard. The win keeps the Boilermakers very much in reach to make a run at a spot in the Big Ten Tournament with just two games remaining.
HAMMER DOWN CANCER JERSEYS STILL UP FOR BIDDING
The Boilermakers honored the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research by sporting volt-colored jerseys to spread awareness. The game-worn jerseys from the Purdue win are available for bidding, with all proceeds benefiting Purdue's fight against cancer.
Donations to the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research can also be made without bidding on jerseys. The online auction will remain open until Sunday at 11:59 p.m. Click here to donate or bid.
UP NEXT
Purdue wraps its regular season with two road contests in the state of Michigan. The Boilers will battle Michigan in Ann Arbor on Sunday, Oct. 20, at 1 p.m. A week later, Purdue returns to the Great Lakes State to face Michigan State in East Lansing at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 27.
The Big Ten Conference win marked the Boilermakers' seventh shutout of the season, their most through 16 games since 2019.
Goalkeeper Wyville Claire, the fifth-year senior from Morriston, Ontario, Canada, amassed 10 saves in just her second start as a Boilermaker. It was the first time a Purdue netminder totaled double-digit saves since nearly two years ago to the day, when Kailey Kimball had 10 on Oct. 20, 2022, at Minnesota.
Kayla Budish and Sydney Boudreau provided the offensive fireworks in Purdue's annual Hammer Down Cancer game, nabbing their third and first goals of the season, respectively.
In the 21st minute, Budish got the Boilers (7-7-2, 3-5-1 Big Ten) on the board as she dashed to tap in a deflection off the Scarlet Knights' goalkeeper. Though she wasn't credited with an assist due to the touch by Rutgers (9-3-3, 5-2-2 Big Ten), Lexi Fraley set up the scoring chance by sending a crossing shot toward the netminder.
Electric factory ⚡
— Purdue Soccer (@PurdueSoccer) October 17, 2024
Kayla Budish charges in for her 16th career goal off the deflection! pic.twitter.com/FNI4mpkuA0
Purdue continued to pepper shots throughout the first half, and Boudreau found the back of the net just seven minutes after Budish's goal to score her first of the season in the 28th minute.
Lauren Meeks streaked in from the left side of the 18-yard box and placed a beautiful centering pass right on Gracie Dunaway at the top of the goal area. Dunaway headed the ball high, forcing Rutgers keeper Olivia Bodmer to leap up and bat it away, falling to the ground. Boudreau was there to high-point the ball into the back of the net and extend Purdue's lead.
The scoring shot served as the senior defender's first goal of the season and the second of her career. Her first goal came in just her fourth career game, against Colorado as a freshman in 2021.
Boilers looking fearless down by the net 😤
— Purdue Soccer (@PurdueSoccer) October 17, 2024
Sydney Boudreau capitalized with the high-kick for her second career goal! pic.twitter.com/0VOyrcfawQ
Despite being outshot 17-10 and outpaced by shots on goal 10-5, Purdue made the most of their opportunities and limited Rutgers to low-probability chances that were often uncorked from deep.
Despite not finding the net in the second half after numerous chances missed just wide or hit off goalposts, Purdue's stellar defensive effort was enough to hold Rutgers off the scoreboard. The win keeps the Boilermakers very much in reach to make a run at a spot in the Big Ten Tournament with just two games remaining.
HAMMER DOWN CANCER JERSEYS STILL UP FOR BIDDING
The Boilermakers honored the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research by sporting volt-colored jerseys to spread awareness. The game-worn jerseys from the Purdue win are available for bidding, with all proceeds benefiting Purdue's fight against cancer.
Donations to the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research can also be made without bidding on jerseys. The online auction will remain open until Sunday at 11:59 p.m. Click here to donate or bid.
UP NEXT
Purdue wraps its regular season with two road contests in the state of Michigan. The Boilers will battle Michigan in Ann Arbor on Sunday, Oct. 20, at 1 p.m. A week later, Purdue returns to the Great Lakes State to face Michigan State in East Lansing at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 27.