Women's Soccer Travels to Northern Iowa for MVC Match
10/1/2010 7:59:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Game 13 - Saturday, October 2
Creighton (8-2-2, 1-0-0)
at Northern Iowa (2-8-1, 0-1-0)
Cedar Valley Soccer Complex
Waterloo, Iowa
2:00 p.m.
Series: CU leads 10-1-2
Scouting the Bluejays
The Jays have their goals set to reach the NCAA Tournament for the first time since the 2007 season. Creighton has 17 letterwinners back from last year's team and returns six starters, including MVC Freshman of the Year Brittney Neumann, and MVC First-team All Conference players Emily Orbell and Kelly Connolly and MVC Second-Team All Conference goalkeeper Alicia Montgomery. The Jays currently sit at 7-2-2 overall. The Jays are currently on a six match winning streak, outscoring their opponents 19-3. The streak includes wins over South Dakota (4-1), Weber State (1-0), Wyoming (6-2), Cal State Fullerton (3-0), UMKC (3-0) and MVC foe Indiana State (2-0). The streak is the longest the Jays have put together since the Creighton has six shutouts on the season, with goalkeepers Alicia Montgomery putting up three and Katie Jo Swanson has earned two, to go along with one combined team shutout. Andrea Zuniga and Neumann are leading the team in goals with five, giving Zuniga eight career goals and Neumann 12. They each have scored in four different matches. Orbell is again leading the team in assists (6) and has also scored two goals, including the match winner against UMKC. Creighton is averaging 14.6 shots per match and 2.33 goals. Swanson and Montgomery have split time in the net and have a combined 0.64 goals against average on the year.
Recent Results
UMKC - Creighton used a solid offensive attack (firing off 35 shots in the match, 14 on goal) and physical defense to put away the UMKC Kangaroos 3-0. It was the fifth victory in a row for the Jays, the first time they have pulled off that feat since the 2002 season. The Jays got on the board first when Emily Orbell drove down the center of the field, weaving in and out of defenders and drove the ball into the left side of the net, giving her her second goal of the season. Andrea Zuniga, who leads the team in goals (5), scored on a dead ball sent in by Claire Zach. The final goal of the match came in the 38th minute when Kayla Nsien scored her second goal of the season off a Brittney Neumann cross from the baseline. 10 different Jays had at least a shot in the match, with Zuniga and Orbell breaking a three year old Morrison Stadium record by taking 10 shots each in the match (the previous record was eight shots in one match set by Marcy Gans in 2007).
Indiana State – Creighton used goals from Brittney Neumann and Lauren Cingoranelli in the second half of the match to win the first conference match of the 2010 season 2-0 in Terre Haute, Ind. The Jays played a very physical battle, working hard to score the two goals, and improve their win streak to six matches, the first time that has happened since 2002. Neumann scored the first goal of the match in the 69th minute, after stealing the ball from a Sycamore player and driving down the field. She shot and scored from 10 yards out. Cingoranelli's goal was very similar, as she stole the ball from the defense, made a spin move around her defender, and scored from 10 yards out. Creighton took 11 shots on the day while Indiana State had nine. Alicia Montgomery got the win, earning her third shutout of the season.
Sizing Up the Competition
Northern Iowa – The Panthers return all 11 starters from the team that went 2-11-3 last season and finished the MVC season 0-5-1. The team is led by MVC Pre-season all-conference selection Megan Cameron (an All-MVC performer last season), and forward Chelsie Hochstedler, a preseason honorable mention member. Northern Iowa currently sits at 2-8-1 overall on the season and are 0-1-0 in MVC play. The team averages 0.73 goals per match and takes 8.3 shots per game. Hochstedler leads the team with three goals and six points, while five other Panthers have scored this season. Lauren Potzman and Erin Zaideman have seen the most significant amount of playing time in the net, allowing 27 goals and a 2.41 goals against average.
Following the Jays
Follow all your favorite Bluejay soccer action at www.gocreighton.com. Live stats and live video will be provided for the MVC match against the Northern Iowa Panthers. Just click on the links provided on the Creighton home page.
Series History
Northern Iowa - The Panthers and Jays have met up 13 times on the soccer field, with the first meeting coming in 2000, a 10-1 Bluejay victory. Creighton holds a 10-1-2 record over Northern Iowa, outscoring the Panthers 37-7 in the meetings. Last season the two teams played to a scoreless tie at Morrison Stadium. Creighton is 4-1-1 over the Panthers when playing at the Cedar Valley Soccer Complex.
Broken Records
Sophomore goalkeeper Katie Jo Swanson had a busy day in the 6-2 victory over Wyoming Sept. 17 at Morrison Stadium. Swanson had 10 saves and gave up two goals. The 10 saves are the most by one Bluejay goalkeeper in a match since Jaimie Thompson had 10 saves at Iowa on Nov. 1, 2001.In the match Wednesday against UMKC, Emily Orbell and Andrea Zuniga broke the record for shots taken in a single match at Morrison Stadium. Each player took 10 shots, breaking the previous record of eight set by Marcy Gans in the 2007 season.
On A Roll
Creighton has won six matches in a row, with victories at South Dakota (4-1), at Weber State (1-0), and at Morrison Stadium over Wyoming (6-2), Cal State Fullerton (3-0) and UMKC (3-0). The most recent victory was a 2-0 win over Indiana State, putting the Jays at 1-0-0 in the conference standings. The Jays won the first four matches of the 2008 season and had a four match win-streak from Sept. 6 through Sept. 13 last year. The last time the Jays won five matches in a row was 2002, when they won six in a row. The all-time Bluejay record sits at 10 matches in a row, set in 1994. That team finished the season 14-4-0 under then head coach Cathy Klein.
Put Her Name in the Books
Bluejay junior Alicia Montgomery is set to have her name all over the record books when she leaves Creighton. After a record setting season last year (with 11 team shutouts and a 0.60 goals against average as a team), she sits at third in goals against average in a season (0.58 in 2009) and tied for second in shutouts in a season (eight in 2009). She is also the current goals against average career leader, with a 0.54 gaa right now. Montgomery needs just five more shutouts to make it on the top five list for career shutouts, as well as needing 84 saves over the next season and a half to get on the all time career save list.
She Wants the Ball
Andrea Zuniga has almost tripled her career output already this season - she had three career goals coming into the season and now sits at eight. Zuniga has taken at least two shots in each of the last six matches, taking a career high 10 shots against UMKC. She also has added two assists to her career total, now totaling three. Zuniga is tied for the lead on the team in goals (5) and second in points (12).
Neumann Notable
Last years MVC Freshman of the year Brittney Neumann is turning on the jets after a slow statistical start, as both a goal scorer and disher. After going the first three matches of the season with no goals or assists, Neumann has scored or had an assist in six of the last nine matches, including the game winning goal in the 69th minute of the Indiana State victory. This puts her tied for first in goals scored (tied with Andrea Zuniga with five goals) and in first in points (13 points). Nemann had seven goals and six assists last season, leading the team in both categories.
See You in November
There are seven teams that belong to the Missouri Valley Conference and compete in women's soccer. Six teams will make it to the conference tournament, which will be played October 31 (quarterfinals), November 5 (semi-finals at Morrison Stadium) and November 7 (finals at Morrison Stadium). Creighton and Iowa State have met up four times in the conference tournament since UNI joined the league in 2000. The most recent post season matchup was November 4, 2007, a 2-0 Creighton victory.
Valley Preseason Poll
This year's preseason Missouri Valley Conference coaches poll has Creighton finishing in second place. Last year's regular season champion Illinois State received the most points, 46, with the Jays receiving 37, just one point ahead of third place Missouri State. Evansville was picked fourth with 23 points, while Drake, Indiana State, and Northern Iowa rounded out the list with 19, 19 and 16 points, respectively.
Conference Tops
As a team the Jays are ranked top in the Missouri Valley Conference in goals against average (0.64), goals (26), goals per match (2.33), assists (16), shutouts (6) shots (175) and points (72). Brittney Neumann is first in shots (37 total, averaging 3.08 per match) and second in points (13), while Andrea Zuniga is third in points (11). Bluejay senior Emily Orbell is leading the conference with six assists. Gunther is also first in game-winning goals with three on the season.
MVC Openers
After the 2-0 victory over Indiana State, the Jays are 9-3-2 all-time in Valley conference openers, including winning the last five in a row. A 2005, 3-1 loss at Illinois State is the last time the Jays fell in their opener. Creighton is 8-2-2 in conference openers under current head coach Bruce Erickson.
A Little Efficiency
Creighton was outshot 34-21 in the matches with Wyoming (22-13) and Cal State Fullerton (12-8), but outscored their opponents 9-2. In the Wyoming match, Erin Gunther was a perfect two for two, taking two shots and scoring both, while Tara Bailey was one for one. In the Cal State Fullerton, both of Creighton's goal-scorers (Kelly Connolly and Lauren Cingoranelli) each took just one shot in the match.
Putting up the Doughnuts
Creighton has shut out opponents in six of its twelve matches, as well as both of the exhibition matches. The six shutouts lead the conference. Last season, the Jays recorded a school record 11 shutouts, including the first four matches of the season. In the past three years, the Jays have shut out their opponents in at least two out of the first four matches each season.
Bicentennial
Creighton head coach Bruce Erickson is approaching his 200th career win as a head coach. He needs just five wins in order to reach the milestone. Erickson sits at 195-151-29 overall (spanning 19 years at both Viterbo and Creighton) and holds a 125-90-23 record at Creighton.
In the Record Books
Senior Emily Orbell is working hard in the final season of her career to get her name into the record books. The midfielder's six assists this season has landed her in the fifth spot, all-time, in Creighton history for career assists. She is the current career leader in goals on the team with 18 and needs five more this year to make it into the top five all time in Creighton history. Orbell is also the active leader in assists (18) and points (54).
Fresh Start
Creighton has outscored opponents 17-4 in the first half of matches this season. The Jays are 7-0-0 this year when leading going into the halftime break. Overall, Creighton has outscored its opponents 28-8, outshooting them 175-144 in the 12 matches.
Double Trouble
Three Bluejays, Erin Gunther, Brittney Neumann and Andrea Zuniga have each scored two goals in a match this season for the Jays. Zuniga recorded the double first, scoring both goals in the 4-1 win at South Dakota. Gunther and Neumann's double day each happened in the 6-2 victory over Wyoming. Last year four different Bluejays recorded double-goal matches, with Annemarie Hengel, Kyla Hoskins, Beth Fyles and Neumann each completing the feat at one point in the season.
Goose Eggs
Creighton and Northern Iowa have met up 13 times since 2000. In the 13 meetings, the Jays have earned five shutouts, including the scoreless draw last season. The last shutout was a 2-0 victory in the first round of the 2007 Missouri Valley Conference tournament.
Clutch Performers
Erin Gunther, Andrea Zuniga, Emily Orbell, Kelly Connolly and Brittney Neumann have each scored game-winning goals this season. Gunther has three on the year, scoring in the 2-1 victory over Loyola Maryland, the 5-0 victory over Loyola Chicago and the 6-2 win over Wyoming. Zuniga has two, with her game-winners coming in the 4-1 victory at South Dakota and the 1-0 win at Weber State. Connolly recorded her only game-winner when she scored the first, and only needed goal, in the 3-0 victory over Cal State Fullerton. The game-winners were the first two in her career for Gunther, while the two for Zuniga give her a current career leading four. Connolly now has three game-winners, as scored four goals last season and two of them were game-winners. Orbell's game winner in the UMKC match gives her four career game winners. She had two her freshman season and one last year.
Streaking
The Jays have not let an opponent score three or more goals in 35 straight matches, dating back to Oct. 30, 2008. In the Oct. 25 match at Evansville, the Jays lost 5-2. Creighton was in jeopardy of losing the streak Sept. 7 at Morrison Stadium, when the Bison of North Dakota State scored two goals in the first half. A solid defensive line and hard work from goalkeeper Katie Jo Swanson helped to keep the streak in tact.
Newbie Success
Freshman Lauren Cingoranelli has scored four goals this season while starting in ten of the twelve matches. The first goal of her career in the 5-0 victory over Loyola Chicago in the adidas Husker Classic while she scored her second in the 2-2 tie with North Dakota State, and her third in last weeks 3-0 win over Cal State Fullerton. The newest Bluejay, Kayla Nsien, who joined the team after the start of school, has already made an impact as she scored the first goal of her career in the 4-1 South Dakota victory and scored agian in the UMKC 3-0 victory. Nsien has played in seven matches and taken seven shots, with four shots on goal. Last season, Brittney Neumann ended her freshman campaign with seven goals and six assists. You have to go back to 2007 to find the next highest output as a freshman, when Emily Orbell scored six goals and had three assists.
Third Year's a Charm
Creighton junior Rachelle Holt scored the first goal of her Creighton career in the Loyola Chicago match. In her previous two seasons, Holt had taken four shots and played in 14 matches. Fellow Bluejay juniors Carey Dahlquist and Tessa McKeone are in the same position, as they are looking for their first collegiate goals in their third year of sporting blue and white. Dahlquist has taken four shots in eight career matches and McKeone has taken two shots in 12 matches.
Coming Up Next
Creighton returns home for back to back MVC matches against Evansville (Oct. 9) and Drake (Oct. 14). The Jays will then take on Cal State Bakersfield on senior day on Oct. 16. Creighton trails 14-10-1 in the Evansville series, but leads the Drake series 6-5-0. It will be the first meeting with Cal State Bakersfield. Stay connected with www.gocreighton.com for the latest information.
