Women's Soccer Opens BIG EAST play at Marquette, Hosts St. John's
9/23/2014 1:09:00 PM | Women's Soccer
OMAHA, Neb. - With the non-conference season complete at 8-1-0, the Creighton women's soccer team opens BIG EAST play with a stern test at Marquette on Thursday, Sept. 25 then hosts St. John's on Sunday, Sept. 28.
Last Week:
9/12: L, 0-2 - vs. UMKC - Morrison Stadium
9/14: W, 2-1 (2OT) - @ Omaha - Omaha, Neb.
This Week:
9/25: at Marquette - Milwaukee, Wisc. - 7:00 p.m.
9/28: vs. St. John's - Morrison Stadium - 1:00 p.m.
Series with Marquette:
Creighton and Marquette have split their five previous meetings with two wins each and one matchup ending in a tie. The first contest between the two teams, in 1993, ended in a 2-2 tie. Creighton took the ensuing two contests, while Marquette has won the last two matchups. The Golden Eagles claimed a 2-1 over the Bluejays last season in the first meeting as BIG EAST conference foes.
Series with St. John's:
Creighton has played St. John's twice prior to Sunday's contest, holding an 1-0-1 edge on the Red Storm. The two squads played to a 0-0 tie last season on Sept. 29 in New York.
Scouting Creighton (8-1-0):
The win streak and the best start in school history came to an end as Creighton dropped a 2-0 decision to UMKC on Friday. While it took some time, the Bluejays rebounded to take down crosstown rival Omaha 2-1 in the second overtime period.
The tandem of sophomores Lauren Sullivan (two goals) and Emily Roll (two assists) lifted Creighton to a win at Omaha on Sunday, but more importantly breathed confidence into the Bluejays just before BIG EAST play begins.
This week 2014 starts anew as Creighton looks for a second attempt to impress in BIG EAST action. The schedule begins with arguably the toughest game on the schedule as Creighton travels to the two-time defending BIG EAST champion, Marquette.
Scouting Marquette (4-5-1):
After opening the season with just two victories in eight matches, the Golden Eagles appeared to have found their rhythm with wins over #16 Kansas (1-0) and LSU (2-1) last weeekend.
The preseason favorite to claim a third-consecutive BIG EAST Championship Marquette is 3-3-0 at home in 2014, including a 3-2 loss to Nebraska and a 5-4 affair to Milwaukee.
Jacie Jermier leads the Golden Eagles with three goal and seven points, while Liz Bartells and Mady Vicker each have two assists.
In goal Marquette relies on junior Amanda Engel. She has started every match this season, allowing 14 goals.
Scouting St. John's (4-5-0):
Led by the 2013 NCAA scoring leader, Rachel Daly, the Red Storm have dropped four of their last five matches.
St. John's opened the season 3-1-0 but suffered through a four-match skid. The Red Storm got back on the winning track on Thursday, Sept. 18 with a 1-0 win over Stony Brook.
Daly is well off the pace she set last season, 23 goals and four assists for 50 points, she is still a strong threat with four goals in 2014.
In her sophomore campaign Diana Poulin has played every second in goal for St. John's. She has recorded 27 saves and allowed 15 goals in nine matches.
St. John's will open BIG EAST play on Thursday at Xavier
Historic Comeback
Trailing 1-0 with under two minutes to play at Omaha on Sunday, Sept. 21 the Bluejays pulled off a feat previously never reached as sophomore Lauren Sullivan headed in the game tying goal at 88:25, then used her head once more at 101:57 to secure the win.
It marked the first time Creighton has rallied for a win, when trailing in the final two minutes of play.
Sullivan's efforts earned a spot on the BIG EAST Honor Roll.
Setting the Scene:
While Sullivan knocked in both goals at Omaha, fellow second-year starter Emily Roll put both plays in motion. A defender, Roll pushed onto the offensive end as the game wound down. She dribbled deep into the right corner, beat a Maverick defender and served a ball into the box as Sullivan came galloping in.
The duo met up once more in the second overtime in a more traditional way as Roll centered a ball into the box from 25-yards for Sullivan to finish.
Summit Topped:
Creighton completed a clean sweep of its four Summit League opponents in dramatic fashion as the Bluejays rallied in the 89th minute to force overtime and eventually defeat Omaha on Sept. 21.
Earlier this season Creighton bested South Dakota State (2-1 on Aug. 22), Western Illinois (4-0 on Sept. 1) and South Dakota (2-0 on Sept. 14).
South Dakota State was picked to finish second in the Summit's preseason poll, while the Leathernecks were picked to finish fifth, Omaha was eighth and South Dakota was ninth.
