Creighton University
South Dakota State
Women's Soccer Picks up First Win in Season Opener
8/19/2011 9:28:00 PM | Women's Soccer
BROOKINGS, S.D. - The Creighton women's soccer team continued their three-match unbeaten streak in season openers on Friday night, defeating the South Dakota State Jackrabbits 1-0. It does mark the first time in three years the Jays have won the opening match, as they played scoreless draws the last two seasons. Creighton is now 12-9-2 all-time in season openers and 5-6-2 under head coach Bruce Erickson.
Macy Mauer netted a ball off a dead ball in the 29th minute and Alicia Montgomery had seven saves in 90 minutes in goal to give the Jays their first win of the season.
"Tonight was a good win on the road," said Erickson. "South Dakota State gave us all we could handle, particularly in the second half when we were up 1-0. But our girls were tough and battled through it and we managed to get the win."
With the exception of the solo goal in the first frame, the two teams battled pretty evenly, each putting six shots on goal through the first half. The main difference was that the Jays put three shots on goal, including the Mauer goal, while the Jackrabbits didn't have one.
The lone goal of the match came in the 29th minute, when Mauer knocked a dead ball that bounced off an SDSU defender and into the net. It is the fifth career goal for Mauer, the preseason all-MVC pick.
The Creighton defense squandered many of SDSU's chances in the opening frame, but the Jackrabbits took 12 shots in the second half, seven of which were on goal. Montgomery finished the game with her first win of the season, finishing with 90 minutes of play and seven saves.
Leading the charge offensively for the Jays, who used just 12 field players in addition to Montgomery in goal, was Brittney Neumann, who had four shots, two on goal and Erin Gunther with three shots.
The Jays will be back in action next Thursday when they travel to UMKC for a match with the Kangaroos. The Jays hold a 2-0-0 lead over UMKC, including a 3-0 win in Omaha last season.
