Purdue captures 2026 Big Ten Women’s Soccer Tournament title

WEST LAFAYETTE, IN – In front of a sellout crowd at Folk Field, third-seeded Purdue outlasted fourth-seeded Michigan State in overtime, 4-3, on Friday night to win the 2026 Big Ten Women’s Soccer Tournament. The Boilermakers secured their second tournament title and first since 2007.

With the victory, Purdue is the Big Ten’s automatic qualifier for the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

The Boilermakers broke the stalemate in the 34th minute after Megan Santa Cruz’s cross was deflected to Rosa Maalouf near the back post, who used her right foot to notch a 1-0 lead.

Momentum continued to favor Purdue less than six minutes later. After a Michigan State foul, Maalouf took the free kick and Addy Feldman elevated for a header and 2-0 advantage.

The Spartans responded in the 42nd minute to pull within one. Renee Watson floated a ball in from beyond midfield, which Faith George picked up and slid to Kayla Briggs at the top of the box. Briggs found the right side of the net for a 2-1 tally.

It took less than five minutes into the second half for Purdue to extend its edge to 3-1. After Santa Cruz’s attempt went off the crossbar, McKenzie Carle took a touch from the right side of the box for the goal.

Michigan State cut the deficit to 3-2 in the 61st minute on a goal from Bella Najera, assisted by George. With 1:40 remaining in regulation, Watson took a corner kick for the Spartans and Mackenzie Kruer headed in the equalizer to send the game into overtime.

It took the 97th minute to decide this year’s champion. With an open field, Jaiden Anderson took on four Spartan defenders by herself and sent a laser into the bottom right corner of the net to lift the Boilermakers to victory, 4-3.

Irene Campo was named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament behind six points on three goals.

The 64-team NCAA Tournament bracket will be announced on NCAA.com on Monday, Nov. 16 at 4 p.m. ET.

The 2026 Big Ten Women’s Soccer Tournament Most Outstanding Player and All-Tournament Team can be found below.

2026 Big Ten Women’s Soccer Tournament Most Outstanding Player
Irene Campo, MF, Purdue

2026 Big Ten Women’s Soccer All-Tournament Team
Ellie Fife, D, Michigan
Bella Najera, MF, Michigan State
Renee Watson, D, Michigan State
Anika Poremba, D/F, Ohio State
Bella Ayscue, D, Penn State
Irene Campo, MF, Purdue
Bianca Hanisch, MF, Purdue
Cherry Yu, F, Purdue
Paloma Daubert, D, UCLA
Maylen Montoya, MF/D, Washington
Hailey Baumann, D, Wisconsin