Creighton University
Sacramento State
Women's Soccer Falls to Sacramento State 2-1 in Overtime
9/11/2011 6:09:00 PM | Women's Soccer
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - For the second time in three matches, the Creighton women's soccer team needed more than 90 minutes to determine a winner. Unlike the 1-0 win over South Dakota last week, the Jays fell 2-1 to Sacramento State on Sunday. The Jays now sit at 3-3 on the season, marking the first time since 2006 Creighton has opened a season with three losses in the first six matches (2-3-1 that season).
"This was a game we played very well and we created quality chances," said head coach Bruce Erickson. "Unfortunately we gave up a poor goal against the run of play and put ourselves under a bit more pressure."
The two teams played scoreless soccer through the opening frame of play, with Sacramento State holding a 4-2 advantage in shots. Creighton's only shot on goal in the opening frame came just 1:32 in, when Brittney Neumann's shot was saved by Savannah Abercrombie.
Katie Jo Swanson made her only save of the opening frame in the 19th minute of play, stopping a Jami Shimada shot. The rest of the shots, one by Neumann and three combined from the Hornets, were shot wide or high of the goal.
The second half proved to be much more offensively driven, with the Jays holding a 9-8 advantage in shots, including a 3-2 advantage in shots on goal.
Swanson surrendered her first goal of the year early in the second half when Caitlin Pulver knocked in a high, looping shot that snuck in just inside the far post. The goal, in the 60th minute of play, marked the third straight opponent goal without a Bluejay goal between.
The Jays scored the equalizer in the 79th minute of play when Zuniga scored her first goal of the season. After an Erin Gunther corner kick and a clear by the Hornets, Zuniga sent a high shot into the top right corner to even the match at one apiece.
Sacramento State earned the win with a golden goal scored just 45 seconds into the first overtime. A cross from Laura Bahno was headed into the back of the net over new Bluejay keeper Alicia Montgomery by the Hornets leading scorer, Victoria Ramirez, notching her fourth goal of the season.
"Andrea scored a great equalizer but we gave up one chance in overtime and that was enough for Sacramento State."
Creighton finished the match with 10 shots, three on goal. Swanson picked up two saves in the match, playing the first 90 minutes for the Jays.
The Jays now come home for three straight matches, taking on Northern Colorado and Boise State on Friday and Sunday of next weekend, respectively. Creighton then opens MVC Play by hosting Northern Iowa at Morrison Stadium on Friday, Sept. 23.
Notes: The Jays have now played at least two overtime matches in the first six matches of the season in three of the last four seasons... Creighton started both true freshman in today's match, with Stephanie Anasi earning her first starts of the young season... Sixteen different Jays saw playing time in the match... After splitting time in net in a majority of matches last season, Montgomery and Swanson both played in goal for the first time this season.
