Creighton University Athletics
Women's Soccer Battles DePaul in Lone Match of the Week
10/10/2014 5:54:00 PM | Women's Soccer
OMAHA, Neb. - The Creighton women's soccer team faces off with one of the four teams atop the BIG EAST standings on Saturday, Oct. 11 as Creighton battles DePaul at 3:00 p.m.
Last Week:
10/2: W, 2-1 (2OT) vs. Providence - Morrison Stadium
10/5: T, 1-1 (2OT) vs. Seton Hall - Morrison Stadium
This Week:
10/11: @ #13 DePaul - Chicago, Ill. - Wish Field - 3:00 p.m. Free Video
Series with DePaul:
DePaul nabbed the lone meeting between the two teams last season, taking the match in Morrison Stadium in overtime, 2-1 on Oct. 12.
Creighton Faces # 13 DePaul:
Off to their best start (11-0-2) and highest national ranking (No. 9 by Soccer America and 13 by NSCAA), the DePaul Blue Demons are rewriting their history books this season. The Bluejays, meanwhile, came flying out of the gate to open the season, winning its first seven matches.
After a stretch of three losses in four games, Creighton appears to have righted their rutter with a win and a tie last week to move to 1-2-1 in conference play. DePaul is in a four-way tie at the top of the BIG EAST standings with a 3-0-1 mark.
Despite its unbeaten mark, DePaul isn't necessarily steamrolling its opponents as all three of its BIG EAST wins have been by a margin of one goal.
The Blue Demons will be on upset alert on Saturday when the Abby Reed-led offense opposes the reigning BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week Danielle Rice. The Creighton goalkeeper has held the opposition to one goal or less in nine of Creighton's 13 contests.
Scouting Creighton (9-3-1, 1-2-1 BIG EAST):
After winning seven straight to open the season, the Bluejays dropped three of four to fall to 8-3-0 heading into back-to-back home contests last weekend.
Creighton appears to have regained their focus just in time with a win over Providence and a tie with Seton Hall. The Bluejays battle with DePaul is a huge opportunity to earn a result. Last season Creighton was seconds from forcing double overtime with the Blue Demons and will be looking for a little payback.
Creighton's offensive attack features three players with 10+ points in juniors Kirstyn Corder (14), Alyssa Jara (12) and sophomore Lauren Sullivan (13).
Defensively sophomore Danielle Rice has already posted three shutouts in goal this season. Rice has a 1.42 goals against average (GAA), allowing 19 goals in 13 matches. She was rewarded for her solid play with the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week honor on Monday, Oct. 6.
Scouting #13 DePaul (11-0-2, 3-0-1 BIG EAST):
The surprising favorite to claim the BIG EAST title, DePaul has been impressive throughout the 2014 season. The Blue Demons opened the fall with consecutive 2-1 victories over Central Michigan (Aug. 22) and at #13 Nebraska (Aug. 24). DePaul went on to win its first six matches, including a 3-1 win at home over Illinois State on Sept. 3.
The only blemishes on DePaul's record this season are ties at Milwaukee (1-1 on Sept. 7) and a 3-3 battle at home with Georgetown on Sept. 25.
Sophomore Abby Reed and junior Elise Wyatt lead a potent attack for the Blue Demons. Reed has the slight edge with 21 points (nine goals and three assists), while Wyatt has delivered 20 points on eight goals and four assists.
Reed's scoring touch has proven to be more lethal as she has six game-winning goals on the season.
Last season's BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year, Alejandra Godinez, has been equal to the challenge this season. She is allowing less than a goal per game at 0.96 (11 goals in 12 contests).
Bluejays Have a Bit of a Flair for the Dramatic Finish
For the second time this season the Bluejays rallied back from a 1-0 deficit to deliver a 2-1 win in double overtime as Creighton bounced Providence away from Morrison Stadium in that fashion on Oct. 2.
The Friars struck first with a goal in the 35th minute, but just 30 seconds later Creighton earned a penalty kick to pull even at 35:11.
The score remained 1-1 into the 107th minute of play, when senior Addison Nokels took a pass from junior Kirstyn Corder and punched in the game winning goal at 106:25.
Corder created the play by dribbling past three defenders in the middle of the field, forcing Providence keeper Kristyn Shea to commit and finding Nokels for the deciding goal.
Finding the Net First = 5-0-0
Creighton has scored first in five matches in 2014, going 5-0-0. When the Bluejays fall behind things do not go as well as Creighton is 4-3-1.
Win Over Providence Marked First Time Bluejays have Two Double Overtime Wins in Same Season
The 2-1 (2OT) win over Providence on Thursday, Oct. 2nd (scoring in the 107th minute) marked the first time in school history that Creighton has recorded two double overtime wins in the same season. Creighton also bested Omaha 2-1 in double overtime, scoring the game winner in the 102nd minute.
