Women's Soccer Looks to Get Back On Track at Marquette on Thursday
9/28/2022 10:35:00 AM | Women's Soccer
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Match #11: Creighton Bluejays (4-2-4, 0-2-0 BE) at Marquette (6-3-1, 2-0-0 BE)
Thursday,  Sept. 29, 2022 • 7 p.m. (CT) | Milwaukee, Wis. | Valley Field
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Creighton (4-2-4, 0-2-0 BE) plays its second road BIG EAST match of the year on Thursday night as the Bluejays travel north to take on Marquette (6-3-1, 2-0-0 BE).Â
The Bluejays and Golden Eagles are scheduled to kickoff at 7 p.m. central time from Valley Fields in Milwaukee, Wis.
Follow the Match
Thursday's match will feature live video and live stats. Live video will be available on FloSports while live stats will be featured through Creighton.StatBroadcast.com.
A subscription is required to view the event on FloSports. More information can be found at GoCreighton.com/flosports.
Links to video and live stats will be provided on the Creighton Women's Soccer schedule page.
Updates will be provided during the match on Twitter (@CreightonWSoc).
Scouting Creighton (4-2-4)
After opening the season with a program best eight match unbeaten streak, the Bluejays are seeking their first conference points after falling to Connecticut and then No. 23 Georgetown in their first BIG EAST matches of the season.
Creighton enters Thursday's contest sporting a 4-2-4 overall record with victories over Kansas City (2-1), North Dakota (4-1), Tulsa (2-0) and Colorado College (2-1). Creighton has also tied a program record with four draws this season.Â
On the offensive side of the pitch, Senior Jenny Grissom has a team best three goals on the year. Junior Ariana Mondiri has contributed two goals and a pair of assists, while sophomore Azumi Manriki has added a goal and a pair of assists.Â
In total, nine different Bluejays have found the back of the net at least once this season as Creighton has netted 13 goals and dished out nine assists, while out shooting their opponents 153-98.Â
Senior goalkeeper Keelan Terrell has played all 900 minutes in goal for the Bluejays, allowing 11 goals this season and ranking eight in the BIG EAST with a 1.10 goals against average. She has recorded three shutouts while collecting 28 saves.
The Bluejays entered the 2022 season with 18 returning letterwinners from last season's squad that posted a 7-10-2 record. Creighton returns 11 players who started 10 or more matches in 2021.
Creighton was picked seventh in the BIG EAST Preseason Coaches' Poll, while Senior Aida Kardovic was named to the Preseason All-BIG EAST team for the second straight season.Â
Head coach Ross Paule is in his eighth year at the helm of the Bluejays.Â
Scouting Marquette (6-3-1)
Winners of five out of their last six contests, Marquette enters Thursday's meeting with a 6-3-1 overall recorded, including a 2-0-0 mark in BIG EAST play for the first time since 2013.Â
The Golden Eagles secured non-conference victories over Central Michigan (2-1), Green Bay (5-0), St. Thomas (2-1) and Western Michigan (2-0) before opening BIG EAST play with wins on the road at DePaul (3-2) and at Butler (4-1) last week.Â
Eleven different Golden Eagles have scored 19 total goals this season lead by three goals from senior Isabella Cook and the reigning BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week sophomore Kate Gibson.Â
Cook and Gibson both rank tied for fifth in the BIG EAST with eight total points as both have dished out a pair of assists on top of their three goals.
Elsi Twombly, Elizabeth Bueckers and Julia O'Neill have also contributed multiple goals this year while Twombly has dished out a pair of assists.
Overall, Marquette has been out shot 105-103 but have out scored their opponents 19-13.Â
Senior Mikki Easter and sophomore Chole Olson have split time in goal for the Golden Eagles this season.Â
Easter started the first four matches of the season, logging 405 minutes in between the post. She has collected 15 saves and allowed six goals for a 1.33 goals against average.Â
Olson, on the other hand, has started the last six contests, collecting 14 saves and allowing seven goals for a 1.27 goals against average in 495 minutes in goal for the Golden Eagles.
Marquette was picked to finish eighth in the BIG EAST in the Preseason Coaches' Poll.
Head Coach Frank Pelaez is in his third season at the helm of Marquette and holds a 21-15-1 overall career record, including a 11-9-0 record in BIG EAST play.Â
Series History Against Golden Eagles
Creighton and Marquette have met 14 times previously with the Golden Eagles holding a slim 6-5-3 edge in the overall series.Â
Marquette holds a 2-4-1 advantage in matches played in Milwaukee, Wis., with the Bluejays earning a 2-1 overtime win in the last meeting at Valley Field on April 1, 2021, during the Covid season.Â
The Golden Eagles got the best of the Bluejays as Katrina Wetherell netted the game-winning goal in the 5th minute during last season's match on Sept. 30.Â
Return to the BIG EAST Tournament Will Be Paved on the Road
To reach the Bluejays' goal of a return trip to the BIG EAST Tournament (top six teams), Creighton will need to find points on the road. During the Bluejays' nine seasons in the BIG EAST Creighton has a combined road record of 8-28-7 in conference play. Last season the Bluejays suffered five losses but battled a limited lineup with significant injuries to key players.Â
Creighton's BIG EAST Record on the road
2013: 2-2-1
2014: 1-2-1
2015: 1-4-0
2016: 0-4-0
2017: 0-3-2
2018: 1-3-0
2019: 1-1-3
2020: 2-2-0
2021: 0-5-0
2022: 0-1-0
Terrell Logging Major Minutes
A fixture in goal for the Bluejays over the last three seasons has senior goalkeeper Keelan Terrell climbing the Creighton ranks for career goalkeeper minutes.
Terrell has played all 900 minutes in goal this season, jumping up to sixth on Creighton's all-time goalkeeper minutes played.Â
The Olathe, Kan. native started all 19 matches last season, playing all but the last 45 minutes of the season. Overall, Terrell has seen action in 44 matches making 41 starts and logging 4,063 total minutes in between the posts.Â
Goalkeeper Minutes Played
1.   Jaimie Thompson   6,815   2000-03
2.   Denise Zaver   5,287   1990-93
3.   Kristen Casey   5,180   2005-08
4.   Maggie Phelan   5,058   1997-00
5.   Mary Libert   4,883   1993-96
6.   Keelan Terrell   4,063   2019-presentÂ
7.   Katie Jo Swanson   3,329   2009-12
8.   Danielle Rice   3,303   2013-14
9.   Valerie Zimmerer   3,012   2003-06
10.   McKenzie Meola   2,869   2016-17
Bluejays All-Time vs. Top 25 Competition
Including Creighton's loss to #23 Gerogetown on Sept. 25, the Bluejays have faced ranked opposition 21 times and hold a 1-16-4 overall record. Since current head coach Ross Paule took the helm in 2015, Creighton is 0-6-3 against ranked opponents.Â
Date   Opponent   Result
10/27/90   at #20 Central Florida   T, 1-1 (ot)
9/3/94   #12 Wisconsin   W, 1-0
10/30/94   #7 at Cincinnati   L, 4-5 (ot)
11/15/02   % at #6 Santa Clara   L, 1-5Â
11/12/04   % at #8 Kansas   L, 1-3
8/26/05   #25 Wisconsin   L, 0-2
11/16/07Â Â Â % vs. #9 USCÂ Â Â L, 0-3
9/2/11   #5 Oklahoma State   L, 0-1
8/26/12   at #4 Oklahoma State   L, 1-4
10/20/13   * at #15 Georgetown   L, 0-4
10/11/14   * at #13 DePaul   L, 0-2
10/19/14   * #25 Georgetown   L, 0-1
10/28/16   * #10 Georgetown   L, 0-3
10/5/17   * at #12 Georgetown   T, 1-1 (2ot)
10/19/17   * #22 Butler   L, 0-3
9/14/18   #20 Oklahoma State   L, 0-2
10/4/18   * #5 Georgetown   L, 1-7
10/13/19   * at #10 Georgetown   T, 2-2 (2ot)
4/16/21   & vs. #10 Georgetown   L, 1-2 (ot)
9/23/21   * #25 Georgetown   T, 1-1 (2ot)
9/25/22   * at #23 Georgetown   L, 0-4
* BIG EAST?regular-season match
BIG EAST Tournament match (Providence, R.I.)
% NCAA?Tournament
Home matches in bold.
Creighton in BIG EAST Openers
The Bluejays entered its 10th season in the BIG EAST with a 2-1 loss to Connecticut in the conference opener, dropping the Bluejays to 3-6-1 in BIG EAST openers and 3-6-1 in conference home openers.Â
Last Thursday's match against Connecticut on Sept. 22 marked the seventh time in 10 seasons that Creighton begins BIG EAST play at Morrison Stadium.Â
Under head coach Ross Paule, the Bluejays are 3-5-1 in the BIG EAST opening match.Â
Creighton BIG EAST History
Year       Opener (Result)     Final Record (Place)
2013Â Â Â Â Â Â Marquette (L)Â Â Â 2-6-1 (9th)
2014Â Â Â Â Â Â at Marquette (L)Â Â Â 2-5-2 (8th)
2015Â Â Â Â Â Â at Marquette (L)Â Â Â 2-7-0 (8th)
2016Â Â Â Â Â Â Marquette (W 2OT)Â Â Â 4-5-0 (7th)
2017Â Â Â Â Â Â at Xavier (L)Â Â Â 2-5-2 (8th)
2018Â Â Â Â Â Â Xavier (W)Â Â Â 3-5-1 (7th)
2019Â Â Â Â Â Â DePaul (W)Â Â Â 2-4-3 (8th)
2020Â Â Â Â Â Â Xavier (L)Â Â Â 4-4-0 (3rd MW)
2021Â Â Â Â Â Â #25 Georgetown (T)Â Â Â 1-8-1 (9th)
2022Â Â Â Â Â Â Connecticut (L)Â Â Â TBD
League Opener History
Creighton owns a 13-10-3 record all-time in conference openers, including a 3-4-1 record under Ross Paule.Â
The Bluejays are also 11-5-2 when opening conference play at home, including a 7-4-3 mark since moving into Morrison Stadium.Â
In conference home openers, Creighton is 15-8-3 overall and 3-4-1 under Paule. In league road openers, the Bluejays are 8-16-2 overall, but 0-9-1 in the BIG EAST.Â
Unbeaten Streak Broken
With a 1-1 draw against South Dakota State on Sept. 11, Creighton set the program record for the longest unbeaten streak to start a season. Unfortunately, the Bluejays unbeaten streak came to an end with a 2-1 loss to Connecticut in the BIG EAST opener.
The Bluejays have secured four victories this season, while also battling their way to four ties with limited depth on the Bluejay bench. The four draws this season are tied for the most by a Creighton squad in a single season. The 2003 and 2004 Creighton teams also battled to four draws in their respected seasons.Â
Below is a breakdown of the amount of ties the Bluejays have had under the direction of Head Coach Ross Paule.
Year   # of Ties   # of Matches
2022Â Â Â 4Â Â Â 10 matches
2021Â Â Â 2Â Â Â 19 matches
2020Â Â Â 0Â Â Â 10 matches
2019 Â Â Â 3Â Â Â 18 matches
2018Â Â Â 1Â Â Â 17 matches
2017Â Â Â 3Â Â Â 18 matches
2016Â Â Â 2Â Â Â 16Â matches
2015Â Â Â 0Â Â Â 20 matches
Creighton Picked Seventh in BIG EASTÂ
The Bluejays were picked to finish seventh in the BIG EAST Preseason Coaches' Poll, the league announced on Aug. 11
Creighton received 43 points for seventh in the coaches' poll. Georgetown, the defending BIG EAST tournament champions, were picked as the favorites after receiving 8-of-11 first place votes and 98 points.Â
Xavier was second with 91 points and two of the three remaining first-place votes. Butler received the final first-place vote and 83 points to finish third, while Providence claimed 69 points for fourth. St. John's (59) and Connecticut (57) hold the five and six spots after sliding in ahead of Creighton (43). Picked eight was Marquette (42), followed by DePaul (31), Villanova (22) and Seton Hall (10).
The top six teams in the final league standings will qualify for the 2022 BIG EAST Championship Presented by JEEP. The first-round matchups will be hosted by the higher seed on Oct. 30 (3 vs. 6 and 4 vs. 5), while the number one seed will host the semifinals on Nov. 3 (1 vs. winner of 4/5 and 2 vs. winner of 3/6) and final match on Nov. 6.
Creighton finished 7-10-2 overall and 1-8-1 in league play to finish ninth in the BIG EAST during the 2021 season.Â
Kardovic Tabbed To Preseason All-BIG EAST Team
Senior midfielder Aida Kardovic earned unanimous All-BIG EAST Preseason honors in the BIG EAST Preseason Coaches' Poll, the league announced on Aug. 11.Â
Kardovic was a First Team All-BIG EAST selection last season, when she led the Bluejays with 40 shots. The midfielder from Kassel, Germany, ranked second on the team with three goals and two assist.Â
Kardovic is the first Bluejay to be named to multiple All-BIG EAST preseason teams and is the first Creighton women's soccer player to earn all-conference preseason honors in back-to-back years since Brittney Neumann was named to the All-MVC Preseason team in 2011 and 2012.
In two seasons, she owns 17 points during 23 career matches from seven goals and three assists.
BIG EAST Preseason Offensive Player of the Year
Katie Soderstrom, Butler, R-Sr., F
BIG EAST Preseason Defensive Player of the Year
Julia Leas, Georgetown, Sr., M
BIG EAST Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year
Allie Augur, Georgetown, Sr., GK
Preseason All-BIG EAST Team
Aliyah Diagne, Butler, R-Jr., D
Katie Soderstrom, Butler, R-Sr., F*
Jaydah Bedoya, Connecticut, Jr., F
Aida Kardovic, Creighton, Sr., M*
Allie Augur, Georgetown, Sr., GK
Julia Leas, Georgetown, Sr., M*
Gia Vicari, Georgetown, Jr., F
Meg Hughes, Providence, Jr., F
Jessica Garziano, St. John's, Sr., M
Molly McLaughlin, Xavier, So., M
Ella Rogers, Xavier, So., M
*unanimous Selection
Socctoberfest Success
The Bluejays posted a 2-1 victory over Colorado College on Sept. 9 in the Bluejays 10th annual Socctoberfest match. With the win the Bluejays improved to 6-1-1 in Socctoberfest matches dating back to 2012, with wins over New Mexico State, Omaha, South Dakota, Iowa State and Colorado College. Creighton has outscored the opposition 19-6 in those matches.Â
The Bluejays first Socctoberfest victory came on Sept. 5, 2014 when Creighton defeated New Mexico State, 6-0. The Bluejays picked up a 1-0 win against Iowa State during the 2019 Socctoberfest at Morrison Stadium.Â
The Bluejay women's squad did not play during the 2013 or 2021 Socctoberfest due to schedule issues.Â
Bluejay Women's Soccer at Socctoberfest (6-1-1)
   10/20/12   L, 0-1 vs. Evansville
   9/5/14   W, 6-0 vs. New Mexico State
   9/4/15   W, 4-0 vs. Omaha
   9/9/16   W, 2-1 vs. South Dakota
   9/8/17   T, 2-2 vs. Kansas City
   9/7/18   W, 2-1 (ot) vs. South Dakota
   9/6/19   W, 1-0 vs. Iowa State
   9/9/22   W, 2-1 vs. Colorado College
Luke Earns BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week
Sophomore Hannah Luke earned her first BIG EAST award of her career, nabbing the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Week on Monday, Sept. 5.
Luke helped the Bluejays remain unbeaten by recording a pair of victories against North Dakota and Tulsa. The Darlington, England native was a critical part of the Bluejays defense that held the Fighting Hawks and the Golden Hurricane to just seven total shots in 180 minutes on the pitch.
Luke also contributed on the offensive side of the pitch in the Bluejays 2-0 shutout win over Tulsa on Sunday, Sept. 4. The transfer from Limestone University found the back of the net for the first time in her Bluejay career after fielding a pass from Ariana Mondiri. Luke finished off the play by getting crafty and making a Golden Hurricane miss before blasting a shot into the back of the net from just outside the top of the 18-yard box, securing the victory for the Bluejays.
Love Delivers Fastest Goal Since 2002
In the 2-0 win over Tulsa on Sept. 4, senior Juelle Love put the Bluejays on the board with a goal just 41 seconds into the match. The tally knocked out Jenny Grissom's goal from 70 seconds into Sept. 1 match against North Dakota as the earliest goal scored in the Ross Paule era.Â
It was also the fastest goal scored by a Bluejay since Franny Hylok scored in just 35 seconds against Drury on Oct. 18, 2002. The Bluejays also had a goal against Portland State on Sept. 12, 2008 in 70 seconds, but it was an own goal by the Vikings.
Bluejay First's
Creighton has scored 13 goals this season with nine different individuals contributing to the Bluejays offense. Of those nine individuals to net goals, six scored their first goal of their Bluejay career this season.Â
Below is a list of all first goals scored by Bluejay this season.
- In her fourth season with the Bluejays, senior Jenny Grissom touched the back of the net for the first time in her career against Kansas City on Thursday, August 25.Â
- In the Bluejays 4-1 win over North Dakota, junior Ariana Mondiri netted her first goal of the season and as a Bluejay in the 20th minute before adding a game-sealing goal in the 63rd minute of play.Â
- Sophomore Azumi Manriki blasted her first goal as a Bluejay past the Fighting Hawks goalkeeper in the 39th minute to giving Creighton a 3-1 lead.Â
- Senior Juelle Love touched the back of the net for the first time in her Bluejay career just 41 seconds into Sept. 4th match against Tulsa. It was her first collegiate goal since scoring a goal in her college debut for Pittsburgh way back on Aug. 18, 2017.Â
- Sophomore Hannah Luke rounded out the Bluejays scoring in the Bluejays shutout win over Tulsa with the first goal of her Bluejay career in the 20th minute.Â
- Junior Peighton Steffen touched the back of the net for the first time as a Bluejay in the BIG EAST opener against Connecticut. Steffen lofted a shot into the back of the net off the hand of the Huskies goalkeeper from roughly 35-yards out.Â
Firing On All Cylinders
The Bluejays have posted a 4-1-1 record inside Morrison Stadium this season. In those six matches, the Bluejays have outshot their opponents 111-42 while netting 11 goals in the process.Â
In all, the Bluejays are out shooting their opponents 153-98 this season, despite being outshot in four matches.Â
Creighton recorded a season-high 32 shots in their 4-1 win over North Dakota, out shooting the Fighting Hawks 32-3 in the match.Â
The Bluejays backline limited North Dakota to zero shots in the second half. The three shots allowed were the least amount of shots allowed in a match since the Bluejays did not allow South Dakota to take a shot in the match last season.Â
Mondiri Named to BIG EAST Honor Roll
Junior Ariana Mondiri was named to the BIG EAST Honor Roll on Sept. 5 after leading the Bluejays offense with a pair of goals in Creighton's 4-1 win over North Dakota. She found the back of the net for the first time as a Bluejay in the 20th minute against North Dakota before adding a second goal in the 63rd minute to secure the 4-1 Bluejay win.
Terrell Nabs BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Week
Senior Goalkeeper Keelan Terrell collected the BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Week honor on Aug. 29, becoming the first Bluejays goalkeeper to earn BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Week honors since Katie Sullivan nabbed the honor on Sept. 30, 2019.
The Olathe, Kan. native helped the Bluejays to a 1-0-1 record last week against Kansas City (Aug. 25) and Iowa State (Aug. 28). Terrell earned her first win of the season in goal on Thursday before earning her second shutout of the season against the Cyclones on Sunday afternoon. Overall, during her Creighton career, Terrell has claimed 10 individual shutouts, which ranks her tied for seventh on Creighton's all-time career shutouts list.Â
The senior co-captain made a pair of saves on Thursday during Creighton's 2-1 victory over Kansas City. She followed Thursday's performance up by tying her season-high with five saves in a 0-0 draw against Iowa State on Sunday. Terrell came up big for the Bluejays down the stretch of Sunday's match, as she fought off three Cyclone scoring opportunities in the final 10 minutes of the play to keep the match scoreless.Â
Top-10 Terrell
Bluejay senior goalkeeper Keelan Terrell recorded her ninth career shutout after making three saves in the Bluejays 2022 season-opener against Montana on Aug. 18. \
Terrell continued her climb up the record books with her 10th and 11th career shutouts in a 0-0 draw against Iowa State and a 2-0 win over Tulsa. She now sits in seventh on Creighton's all-time career shutouts list.
Shutouts (indicates shared shutouts)
1.   Jaimie Thompson   24 (2)   2000-03
   Denise Zaver   24 (8)   1990-93
3.   Alicia Montgomery   22 (0)   2008-11
4.   Kristen Casey   18 (0)   2005-08
   Mary Libert   18 (6)   1993-96
6.   Maggie Phelan   17 (6)   1997-00
7.   Keelan Terrell   11 (0)   2018-Present
8.   Valerie Zimmerer   10 (3)   2003-06
   Lori Kwapiszeski   10 (8)   1989-90
10.   Katie Sullivan   9 (0)   2018-20
   Meghan Coleman   9 (6)   1994-97
Grissom Nets First Career Goal
In her fourth season with the Bluejays, senior Jenny Grissom touched the back of the net for the first time in her career against Kansas City on Thursday, August 25.Â
Sophomore Azumi Manriki sent a ball through the Kansas City defense to the charging Grissom. Grissom gathered the pass and worked her way around a Roos defender before blasting a shot past Kansas City goalkeeper Riley Moore to give the Bluejays a 1-0 advantage in the 13th minute of the contest.Â
Judkins and Radke Deliver Game-Winning Goal
Locked into a 1-1 battle with under 20 minutes remaining in the match, Sophomore Alyssa Judkins delivered a game-winning goal to give the Bluejays a 2-1 win over Kansas City.
Judkins struck the back of the net during the 72nd minute after rebounding her own header from a free kick from junior Maddie Radke. Following a Kansas City foul, Radke delivered a perfectly placed cross into the box where Judkins headed the pass off the far post. She was able to recover and push across the game-winning goal for the Bluejays.
Home Sweet Home
Creighton began a stretch of five straight matches at home with a 2-1 win over Kansas City on Aug. 25. The Bluejays also secured wins over North Dakota, Tulsa and Colorado College as well as a draw against Iowa State to remain unbeaten this season.
Creighton is now 109-56-23 all-time at Morrison Stadium (opened in 2003), which includes a 4-1-1 mark this season.Â
The Bluejays are 21-9-4 all-time in home-openers, which includes an 12-5-3 mark during home-openers at Morrison Stadium.
The Bluejays are 47-31-8 at Morrison Stadium since the start of 2013, when the program joined the BIG EAST and 14-25-3 during home league matches.Â
Creighton Soccer Goes Green
Spearheaded by senior Emma Yackley, the Creighton men's and women's soccer programs participated in Green Games on Thursday, August 25th as women's soccer team earned a 2-1 win over Kansas City and the men's soccer to dominated Oakland, 6-0.
Both matches were carbon neutral and had zero waste, meaning the electricity consumed at the matches had been offset by credits and all concessions were composted or recycled.Â
The goal of those matches were to promote a sustainable culture at Creighton and within our community, as well as to educate attendees about environmental stewardship.
Terrell Nabs Spot on BIG EAST Honor Roll
Senior goalkeeper Keelan Terrell earned a spot on the BIG EAST Honor Roll on Aug. 29 after recording eight saves and a shutout during the opening weekend at the Rumble in the Rockies event.
The Olathe, Kansas native, opened the 2022 season by recording her ninth career shutout against Montana, moving her into a tie for ninth on Creighton's all-time career shutout's list. She followed that up with five saves during a 1-1 draw against Gonzaga on Aug. 21.Â
LOVE To See Her Back
Sixth-year senior Juelle Love returned to the pitch for the first time in 529 days in Creighton's 0-0 draw against Montana on Aug. 18, 2022.Â
Love torn her ACL during a match against Xavier on March 7, 2021 and missed the rest of the 2020 season (played in the spring) and the entire 2021 fall season.Â
Love has appeared in 45 matches over four seasons, logging 1,937 minutes of action.
Scoreless Draw to Open Season
On Aug. 18, Creighton played Montana to a 0-0 draw to open the 2022 season.Â
It was the Bluejays first season-opening tie since battling South Dakota State to a 0-0 double overtime draw in the 2010 season-opener.Â
It was also the first season-opening shutout for the Bluejays since topping South Dakota, 1-0, on Aug. 21, 2015.
New Faces Around The Pitch
Creighton's starting XI for the season-opener against Montana featured four players making their first start in a Bluejay uniform.Â
In total, six players made their Creighton debuts against either Montana or Gonzaga.Â
Azumi Manriki, Lara Kazandjian, Hannah Luke, Ariana Mondiri, Jess Torres and Olivia Manning each made their Bluejay debuts during the Bluejays season-opening weekend at the Rumble in the Rockies.
Season-Opener History
Creighton moved to 17-14-3 in season openers all-time after the Bluejays earned a 0-0 draw against Montana on Aug. 18.
Under Paule the Bluejays are 4-3-1 in season openers, including 4-0-0 in contests at home to start a season and 6-2-0 in home openers.Â
The match against Montana on Aug. 18 was the 17th time in program history that the Bluejays opened the season on the road. Creighton is now 6-10-1 in those matches.Â
The Bluejays are also 14-18-2 in its first road match of the season since the program started in 1989.Â
Chasing History
Senior Ansley Atkinson enters her senior season sixth in Creighton history with 18 career assists. Atkinson needs three assists to move into the top-three and 13 to surpass Lulu Quigley (2000-03) for the most assists in program history.Â
Last season Atkinson was leading the country with nine assists, the fourth most in a single-season, through the first eight matches before suffering a season-ending knee injury. Her nine assists ranked third in the BIG EAST behind Georgetown's Maya Fernandez-Powell (12) and St. John's Jessica Garziano (10).
Assists
1.   Lulu Quigley   30   2000-03
2.   Sara Hovland   25   1998-01
3.   Jennifer Norman   20   1993-96
4.   Jill Richgels   19   2012-15
   Kristine Willrett   19   2004-06
6.   Ansley Atkinson   18   2018-present
   Emily Orbell   18   2007-10
   Anne Eveler   18   1989-92
9.   Lauren Cingoranelli   17   2010-13
   Sam Russell   17   2003-07
   Jessica Powers   17   1997-98
   Gretta Matthews   17   1989-92
Production Returns
Creighton returns 11 players who started 10 or more matches from last fall's team that finished 7-10-2 and 1-8-1 in the BIG EAST Conference.Â
All told, CU returns 91.4 percent of its starts, 87.1 percent of its minutes, 81.8 percent of its goals, 95.5 percent of its assists, 86.4 percent of its points, and 95.7 percent of its saves off of last year's squad.
Below is a breakdown of the production that is back:
Stat   Returners   Departures
Starts   191 (91.4%)   18 (8.6%)
Minutes   17,110 (87.1%)   2,536 (12.9%)
Goals   18 (81.8%)   4 (18.2%)
Assists   21 (95.5%)   1 (4.5%)
Points   57 (86.4%)   9 (13.6%)
Saves   66 (95.7%)   3 (4.3%)
International Flavor
This year's roster features a more robust team with players from nine different countries.\
The Bluejays have 20 players from the United States while the remaining nine players representing eight additional countries.Â
Australia: (1) Renée PountneyÂ
Canada: (1) Lara Kazandjian
England: (1) Hannah Luke
France: (1) Ariana MondiriÂ
Germany: (1) Aida Kardovic
Japan: (2) Hitomi Yamaue, Azumi Manriki
Puerto Rico: (1) Jess Torres
Sweden: (1) Lisa Hall
United State: (20)
The Rothwell Sister Duo
In their second season on the pitch together, sisters Hailey and Jordy Rothwell have a special bond on the field. It is a unique experience that a lot of people don't get to do.Â
This season Creighton is one of 50 Division I schools to have a set of sisters playing on the same team. Of those 50 schools, nine schools have two sister tandems.
BIG EAST Extends Contract With FloSports
The BIG EAST Conference, including Creighton University, has partnered with FloSports from 2021-25 to deliver hundreds of subscription-based events leaguewide. This includes virtually every Creighton-produced home webcast in men's soccer, women's soccer, volleyball, women's basketball, baseball and softball.
A subscription is required to view events on FloSports.
Founded in 2006, FloSports features a growing library of more than 300,000 hours of premium content including news, expert commentary, films, documentaries and more.
A subscription to FloSports grants access to the entire FloSports catalog across all of its websites. So rather than paying for individual subscriptions to multiple BIG EAST schools to watch Creighton play road events, now one subscription to FloSports will let you watch all the school-produced events streamed on-line.
Subscribers who cannot watch a game "live" will still be able to watch an archived version of those games "on-demand".
For a complete rundown of the costs and options, go to the Bluejays website at https://gocreighton.com/news/2021/8/17/flosports-information.aspxÂ