University of Washington
6-1-5, 3-0-2
Purdue
5-6-2, 2-3-0
Buck’s Brace Lifts Dawgs To Thwart Purdue Comeback, 3-1
September 28, 2025 | Women's Soccer
Alex Buck spearheaded the effort for Washington, striking twice for her first career brace, including the match winner, before Kelsey Branson sealed all three points and finished off the Boilermakers.
After a bit of a sluggish start for both sides, the offenses came alive in the second half, with UW firing off six of its 10 shots after the break, leading 10-8 on shots on the afternoon. Tanner Ijams made three saves in goal for the Huskies.
Buck put the Dawgs on top for the first time in the 27th minute, running onto Branson's flicked header at the top of the six and hitting it on the full volley with her left with too much power for PU keeper Emily Edwards to keep it out despite getting a hand to the shot.
The service, the flick, the volley... total team goal to put the Dawgs on top!
— Washington Women's Soccer (@UW_WSoccer) September 28, 2025
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Down a goal, Purdue came out of the break the aggressor and in the 60th minute leveled the score off a set piece, serving the far post and heading past Ijams to tie the match at a goal apiece.
Exactly seven minutes later, Buck had the Huskies back in front, pouncing on a misplayed back pass to Edwards and sending the ball into the vacant goal to give UW the advantage back at 2-1.
A loose ball in the box and Bucky's got her brace!
— Washington Women's Soccer (@UW_WSoccer) September 28, 2025
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Mere minutes later, Buck found herself 1-on-1 with Edwards with a chance at a hat trick. Instead, Edwards came off her line quick to make the save, but nonetheless found herself picking the ball out of her goal a few moments later.
The Huskies collected the rebound off of the save, sending the ball to the opposite side of the field with space. Ava Morton dished off a ball towards the end line and Avery Nguyen, who's far post service met Branson's head perfectly, bulging the net with a bullet header to put Washington up two in the 69th minute.
Kelsey Branson and bullet headers go together like PB & J ??
— Washington Women's Soccer (@UW_WSoccer) September 28, 2025
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As the Boilermakers turned to desperation mode in the closing minutes, Purdue broke on the counter in the 81st minute. PU's Irene Campo sent a powerful, bending shot towards the far side of goal from distance but Ijams was up to the challenge, catching at full stretch to snuff out the threat.
Purdue breaks through on the counter but Tanner's there for the diving save!
— Washington Women's Soccer (@UW_WSoccer) September 28, 2025
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The Huskies salted away the remaining minutes the rest of the way, making it a four point week in Indiana.
Washington heads home for a single match next week, hosting UCLA on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. PT at Husky Soccer Stadium.
For more information on Husky Women's Soccer, follow @UW_WSoccer on Twitter and Instagram.
Team Stats
Alex Buck (3)
Assisted By: Maya Loudd , Kelsey Branson
GOAL by WAS Buck, Alex Assist by Loudd, Maya and Branson, Kelsey.
26:42
Irene Campo (6)
Assisted By: Lauren Adam , Emilia Deppe
GOAL by PUR Campo, Irene Assist by Adam, Lauren and Deppe, Emilia.
59:49
Alex Buck (3)
GOAL by WAS Buck, Alex.
66:49
Kelsey Branson (4)
Assisted By: Avery Nguyen , Ava Morton
GOAL by WAS Branson, Kelsey Assist by Nguyen, Avery and Morton, Ava.
68:21
