Women's Soccer Opens Home BIG EAST Schedule with DePaul
9/30/2015 10:11:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Omaha, Neb. - The Creighton women's soccer team opens its home BIG EAST schedule on Thursday night against DePaul.
Series History: DePaul leads series, 2-0-0
Creighton and DePaul have met twice previously, both as foes in the BIG EAST Conference. The Blue Demons have claimed both contests, defeating the Bluejays 2-1 in overtime in 2013 at Morrison Stadium. Last season DePaul posted a 2-0 win over Creighton in Chicago.
Catch the Bluejays on the BIG EAST Digital Network on Thursday
Creighton's match with DePaul will be available on the BIG EAST Digital Network (BEDN)this Friday as Thor Tripp (play-by-play) and former Bluejay Kelly Connolly (color analyst) have the call.
Of the Bluejays remaining eight contests, six will be carried on BEDN.
BEDN has its own branded channel within FOX Sports GO, the app that provides live streaming video of FOX Sports content at home or on-the-go. FOX Sports GO app users who are also subscribers of participating video providers can live stream men's basketball telecasts carried on the FOX broadcast network, FS1, FS2, and the FOX Sports Regional Networks.
Last Time Out
Despite an early lead and a strong effort on the road, the Creighton women's soccer team dropped the BIG EAST opener at Marquette, 5-1 on Sept. 27.
The Bluejays took an early lead in the ninth minute as junior Ylenia Sachau connected on her fifth goal of the season. Sachau fired the goal in on a direct kick from 25 yards away to make it 1-0. Sachau nearly put the Bluejays up 2-0 on another direct kick, hitting the crossbar on a shot from near midfield in the 37th minute.
Marquette, however, drew even in the 38th minute as Darian Powell converted a set piece for the Golden Eagles. Powell came streaking in from the right side with a head on a direct kick from Jacie Jermier to knot the match at 1-1. Marquette took a 2-1 lead in the 59th minute and added goals in the 78th, 80th and 85th minutes to put the match away.
Scouting Creighton (8-4-0, 0-1-0 BIG EAST)
Entering the season without a definite starter in the net, freshman Erin Scott grabbed the torch and has no intention of giving it up. Scott has delivered six clean sheets in 12 matches, allowing just one goal in seven matches in Morrison Stadium.
While Scott gets the statistical credit, head coach Ross Paule is quick to point out the efforts of Ylenia Sachau, McKynzie Dickman, Jill Richgels and Emma Braasch along the back line.
The defenders have also contributed on the
offensive end as Sachau is tied for the team lead with five goals. Richgels, meanwhile, leads the Bluejays with four assists.
One area coach Paule would like to get more production from is his forwards. Junior Lauren Sullivan appears to be getting on track, posting first multi-goal match of the season in the win over Northern Colorado.
Scouting DePaul (7-2-2, 1-0-0 BIG EAST)
One of the co-favorites to claim the BIG EAST crown, the defending conference champs have done nothing to deter that prediction. The Blue Demons a dynamic offense led by Elisa Wyatt and her seven goals. DePaul has outscored its opponents 25-5 and hold a 22-4 edge in assists.
Earlier this season DePaul scored a season-high seven goals against Eastern Michigan and the Blue Demons tallied four goals in their BIG EAST Conference opener.
As good as the Blue Demons are on offense, the squad is equally impressive along the backline. DePaul has racked up eight shutouts in 11 games. The Blue Demons have allowed one goal in two of the remaining contests, while surrendering three in a loss to Nebraska on Sept. 6.
Goalkeeper Alejandria Godinez sets the tone for the Blue Demons' defense, collecting 22 saves and posting a goals against average of just 0.48.
Sachau Makes It Hurt
Junior Ylenia Sachau has made a habit of delivering in the clutch for Creighton this season. Sachau leads the team with five goals, all coming of the unassisted variety.
Sachau's key to scoring is the speed of her shot. Ylenia has two goals on free kicks and two more on penalty kicks. Her remaining goal came against Montana, the Grizzlies failed to clear a corner and Sachau made them pay.
In short, Sachau is making Bluejay opponents pay for their mistakes.
Defending Morrison
Under Paule the Bluejays have thrived at home, posting a 6-1-0 record. Creighton has outscored the opposition 15-2 in Morrison stadium and has not allowed a first half goal in 2015 at home.
The last time the Bluejays surrendered a first half goal in Morrison was against Villanova on Oct. 16, 2014.
