Creighton University
Boise State
Brittney Neumann Leads Women's Soccer Past Boise State
9/18/2011 1:27:00 PM | Women's Soccer
OMAHA, Neb. - A light mist fell on the Creighton women's soccer team on Sunday, but the Jays didn't let that spoil their day, posting a 2-0 win over Boise State on Sunday. Brittney Neumann recorded the fourth multiple-goal match of her career, knocking in both goals in the win, which improves Creighton to 4-4-0 on the season, with all four wins being shutouts.
"I thought we played well today," said head coach Bruce Erickson. "We've been struggling putting the ball in the net, but Brittney [Neumann] getting two goals relieves a little pressure but it gets her on track for the season. I thought we created four or five other really good chances to score today."
The Jays saw their first opportunity squashed by solid Boise defense, with 17 minutes to play in the opening half. Brittney Neumann threaded a lead pass between two Boise State defenders, leading Lauren Cingoranelli to a one-on-one with Boise goalkeeper Liz Ruiz. Cingoranelli used one touch to get around her but Mandy Neder came from the far side to knock the ball away and out of harms way.
Bluejay freshman Stephanie Anasi also had a good look on goal in the first half, getting a lead pass from Andrea Zuniga and taking her first shot as a Bluejay, saved by Ruiz in goal.
The Jays held a 6-5 edge in shots going into the locker room at halftime, with the score knotted at zero. Erin Gunther picked up two shots, while five different players had a single shot for the Broncos.
Creighton applied more offensive pressure to open the second half and it paid off, as the Jays netted the first goal of the match in the 57th minute of play. Cingoranelli threaded a pass up to Neumann at the top of the penalty box. Neumann then buried it in the top right corner for the first goal of the match.
Neumann then scored her second goal of the match in ghe 73rd minute, when Gunther launched a ball from Creighton's defensive half of the field, allowing Neumann to out-race her defender and find a one-on-one with Ruiz. Neumann popped a looper over the top of Ruiz, putting the Jays up 2-0 on the afternoon.
The Jays finished the match with a 16-8 edge on shots, 11-3 edge in shots on goal. Neumann had three shots on goal, while Cingoranelli put two on the goal. Montgomery finished with three saves in the match.
"Overall on the weekend, granted it was a 1-1 finish, we still had two performances where we were the better team and I thought dominated in both and hopefully this pushes us into the Northern Iowa week with a little more confidence and gets us ready for the conference opener."
Neumann's third and fourth goals of the season puts her at 20 total, just three goals away from the top-five all-time charts. It marks the fourth time in her Bluejay career the 2010 MVC Player of the Year has scored multiple goals in a match. Montgomery picked up her 17th career shutout, putting her in the record books
Creighton opens MVC play next Friday, hosting Northern Iowa at Morrison Stadium in their final home match of the three-game stretch. The two teams will kick-off at 7:00 pm on the 23rd.
