Creighton University
Butler
Women’s Soccer Seeks Spot in BIG EAST Tournament As Regular-Season Come to a Close at Butler on Thursday
10/25/2023 9:23:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Match #18: Creighton Bluejays (4-8-5, 2-6-1 BE) at Butler Bulldogs (5-7-6, 1-3-5 BE)
Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023 • 6:00 p.m. CT
Indianapolis, Ind. | Bud and Jackie Sellick Bowl
Television: FloSports
Series History: DePaul leads 12-1-3
LIVE VIDEO | FLOSPORTS INFO | LIVE STATS | CU NOTES (PDF)
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Creighton (4-8-5, 2-6-1 BIG EAST) seeks its third trip to the BIG EAST Tournament as it closes the regular-season with a road contest at Butler (5-7-6, 1-3-5 BE).
The Bluejays and Bulldogs battle for the final spot in the BIG EAST Tournament on Thursday at 6 p.m. CT from the Bud and Jackie Sellick Bowl in Indianapolis, Ind.
Follow the Match
Thursday match will feature both live video and live stats.
Live stats will be featured through http://Creighton.StatBroadcast.com, while live video will be available on FloSports with Paul Fritschner on the call.
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 (4-8-5, 2-6-1 BE)
Entering the regular-season finale at Butler, the Bluejays need a win to keep their post-season hopes alive. Creighton is 4-8-5 this season with a 2-6-1 record in BIG EAST play.
The Bluejays closed out a rigorous non-conference schedule with a 2-2-4 record, which featured matches against four power-five conference opponents.
Creighton own wins over North Dakota State (3-2), South Dakota State (1-0), Villanova (2-1) and Seton Hall (2-0) this season, while also earning draws against Nebraska (2-2), Kansas State (0-0), Drake (2-2) and Minnesota (0-0).
Offensively, Creighton is led by senior Abigail Santana with three goals and four assists, while senior Hannah Luke follows closely behind with a pair of goals and two assists.
Freshman Anja Jestrovic, the two-time BIG EAST Freshman of the Week, has provided a spark offensively over the past five matches, netting three goals and dishing out a pair of assists.
Junior Azumi Manriki has added a pair of goals and an assist, while senior 's Hitomi Yamaue and Lara Kazandjian have each provided a goal and an assist. Senior Maddie Radke and sophomore Andrine Westlie, as well as freshmen Savanna Solomon, Shani Sirota and Tilly Thomas have each contributed one goal for the Bluejays this season.
Fifth-year senior Keelan Terrell has been the driving force for the Bluejays in goal thus far. Terrell ranks third in the BIG EAST with 59 saves and has posted four shutouts while playing 1,350 minutes in between the posts. Freshman Maddie Merrick has played two matches this season, collecting nine total saves.
Fresh off a second trip to the BIG EAST Tournament Semifinals in 2022, the Bluejays have renewed energy as 15 players return from last season's squad that posted an 8-4-8 record. Creighton returned eight players who started 10 or more matches in 2022, while welcoming in 14 newcomers, including transfer Westlie and freshman Maia Sirota are each expected to contribute during their first seasons in Omaha.
Head coach Ross Paule is in his ninth year at the helm of the Bluejays.
Scouting Butler (5-7-6, 1-3-5 BE)
Needing a win in the final match of the regular-season, Butler enters Thursday's matchup with Creighton with a 5-7-6 overall record.
The Bulldogs currently sits in a tie for eighth in the BIG EAST with a 1-3-5 record and are looking to secure the final spot in the BIG EAST Tournament.
The reigning BIG EAST Freshman of the Week, Norah Jacomen, leads the Bulldogs offense with 17 points on a team-high eight goals and one assist. Her 17 points ranks third in the BIG EAST, while her eight goals are tied for second most in the league this season.
Sophomore Talia Sommer, an All-BIG EAST Preseason selection, ranks tied for fourth in the BIG EAST with 16 points on five goals and a team-high six assists. Senior Abigail Isger has contributed two goals and four assists, while junior Alexei Whittaker has scored four goals herself.
Sophomore Anna Pierce has guided the Bulldogs defense this season from goal, playing 1,305 minutes over 16 matches. Pierce has recorded 38 saves while owning a 1.10 goals against average. Junior Emma Martin and freshman Addie Marshall have also spent time in goal for the Bulldogs this season.
Butler was picked to finish fourth in this year's BIG EAST Preseason Coaches' poll. Co-Head coach Tari St. John is in her 18th season at the helm of the Butler program while Rob Alman has served as a co-head coach for the past 11th seasons.
Series History Against The Bulldogs
Creighton and Butler have met 16 times previously with the Bulldogs holding a 12-1-3 advantage in the all-time series. Thursday will be the fourth straight year that the Bluejays have closed the regular season with a match against Butler.
Creighton has dropped eight of the last 10 matches against the Bulldogs but did post a pair of 1-1 draws last season, including a 6-5 shootout victory in the first round of the BIG EAST Tournament.
Creighton is 0-6-1 all-time against Butler in matches played in Indianapolis, including an 0-8-2 mark under head coach Ross Paule.
Last season, Butler and Creighton battled to a 1-1 draw in the regular-season finale, while fifth-year senior Keelan Terrell made an incredible save in the seventh round of a PK shootout to lift Creighton to a 6-5 shootout win over Butler to advance to their second BIG EAST Tournament Semifinals appearance in three years.
Race for Final Spot Heats Up
With a spot in the BIG EAST Tournament on the line, a five-team race for the final spot has heated up with only one match remaining.
Creighton currently sits in 10th in the BIG EAST standings with 7 points but could jump to 6th and secure a spot in the BIG EAST Tournament with a win at Butler and some addition help from around the league on Thursday night.
Below are all the scenarios that can determine Creighton's chances at a BIG EAST Tournament berth.
- With a win on Thursday (10 pts.) and a Seton Hall loss plus a DePaul and Marquette draw Creighton is #6 seed.
- With a win on Thursday (10 pts.) plus Seton Hall, DePaul and Marquette losses, Creighton is #6 seed.
- With a win on Thursday (10 pts.) and a Seton Hall and DePaul loss, plus a Marquette draw, Creighton is #6 seed.
- With a win on Thursday (10 pts.) and a Seton Hall and Marquette loss, plus a DePaul draw, Creighton's season is over.
- With a win on Thursday (10 pts.) plus a Marquette, or DePaul or Seton Hall win, Creighton's season is over.
- With a draw or loss on Thursday at Butler, Creighton's season is over.
What's at Stake?
Heading into the final match of the season, Creighton needs a win, plus some additional help to secure a spot in the six team BIG EAST Tournament for the third time in four seasons. Entering Thursday's matchup with Butler, Creighton sits in 10th place with seven points, but is just one win away (three points) from securing that final spot.
Creighton has had a stories history in the conference tournament throughout its 35-year history. The Bluejays won five Missouri Valley Conference Tournaments, most recently earning the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament in 2010. Creighton is still seeking its first BIG EAST Conference Tournament Championship.
Bluejays Record Fifth Draw
Creighton recorded its fifth draw of the seasons with a 1-1 draw at DePaul on Thursday, Oct. 19.
The five draws this season are the second most draws in a single-season in program history, trailing the eight ties the Bluejays had a season ago.
Year # Ties # of Matches
1. 2022 8 19
2. 2023 5 17
3. 2004 4 21
2003 4 21
5. 2019 3 18
2017 3 18
2012 3 19
2011 3 18
2005 3 21
10. 11 years with two ties (last 2021)
Terrell Becomes Second Bluejay Goalkeeper to Surpass 6,000 Minutes
A fixture in goal for Creighton over the last four seasons has graduate goalkeeper Keelan Terrell climbing the Creighton ranks for career goalkeeper minutes.
In the Bluejays match against Xavier last Sunday, Terrell became just the second Bluejay goalkeeper to record 6,000 career minutes.
Over the course of her career with the Bluejays, the Olathe, Kans. native has seen action in 67 matches, making 66 starts and logging 6,062 total minutes in between the posts, ranking second on Creighton's all-time goalkeeper minutes played list.
Here 6,062 total minutes in goal currently ranks 25th among active goalkeepers in Division I.
This season, Terrell has played 1,350 minutes in goal for the Bluejays, posting four shutouts against Kansas State, Minnesota, South Dakota State and Seton Hall.
Goalkeeper Minutes Played
1. Jaimie Thompson 6,815 2000-03
2. Keelan Terrell 6,062 2019-present
3. Denise Zaver 5,287 1990-93
4. Kristen Casey 5,180 2005-08
5. Maggie Phelan 5,058 1997-00
6. Mary Libert 4,883 1993-96
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
Steffen's Logging Serious Minutes
Since arriving on campus in the fall of 2020 senior Peighton Steffen has been a staple in the Bluejays starting lineup. The heart of Creighton's backline, Steffen has played 6,018 minutes in her career, 99.5 percent of the 6,048 possible minutes she could have played.
Dating back to last season, Steffen has played 2,900 consecutive minutes along the Creighton backline. Her 2,900 consecutive minutes played is the longest stretch by a Bluejay player in program history.
Terrell's Chasing History
Graduate Keelan Terrell has proven time and time again over her first four years as a Bluejay that she is one of the greatest goalkeepers to ever wear a Creighton uniform.
Terrell is one of just five players in Creighton history to rank in the top-10 of every career goalkeeper category. She currently sits second in goalkeeper minutes (6,062), sixth in total saves (219), tied for sixth in shutouts (17), seventh in goals against average (1.27) and seventh in goalkeeper victories (21).
Goalkeeping Victories Total Years
1. Jaimie Thompson 41 2000-03
2. Denise Zaver 35 1990-93
3. Alicia Montgomery 30 2008-11
4. Kristen Casey 29 2005-08
Mary Libert 29 1993-96
6. Maggie Phelan 26 1997-00
7. Keelan Terrell 21 2019-present
8. Danielle Rice 19 2013-14
Valerie Zimmerer 19 2003-06
10. Katie Sullivan 13 2018-20
Saves Total Years
1. Denise Zaver 355 1990-93
2. Jaimie Thompson 345 2000-03
3. Kristen Casey 259 2005-08
4. Mary Libert 256 1993-96
5. Alicia Montgomery 226 2008-11
6. Keelan Terrell 219 2019-present
7. Danielle Rice 199 2013-14
8. Maggie Phelan 193 1997-00
9. Katie Jo Swanson 173 2009-12
10. McKenzie Meola 160 2016-17
Goals Against Average Total Years
(Minimum 1,000 Minutes Played)
1. Alicia Montgomery 0.81 2008-11
2. Valerie Zimmerer 0.96 2004-06
3. Denise Zaver 1.14 1990-93
4. Jaimie Thompson 1.15 2000-03
5. Kristen Casey 1.18 2005-08
6. Katie Jo Swanson 1.24 2009-12
7. Keelan Terrell 1.27 2019-present
8. Danielle Rice 1.36 2013-14
9. Lori Kwapiszeski 1.37 1989-90
10. Mary Libert 1.38 1993-96
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. Keelan Terrell 17 (0) 2019-present
Maggie Phelan 17 (6) 1997-00
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
Sixth Official RPI Rankings Released
The sixth official RPI Rankings were released by the NCAA on Monday. The Bluejays were listed at No. 46 in the initial release but have since fallen to 127 after falling to 4-8-5 overall and to 2-6-1 in BIG EAST play.
BIG EAST in the RPI (Oct. 23 edition)
13. Georgetown
21. Xavier
45. Providence
47. Connecticut
67. St. John's
109. Butler
126. Marquette
127. Creighton
131. DePaul
150. Seton Hall
187. Villanova
Battled Tested Bluejays
Creighton owns a 4-8-5 record this season, but the 17 teams the Bluejays have played so far this fall have a combined record of 130-78-65 (.595).
With the sixth RPI rankings released on Monday, the Bluejays have faced four teams currently listed in the top 30 (0-3-1 vs those opponents) and eight teams in the top 100 (0-6-2).
Team (RPI Rank) W-L-T (10/23) CU's Result
Nebraska (23) 13-2-3 T, 2-2
Missouri (107) 5-8-3 L, 1-3
Saint Louis (14) 14-2-2 L, 1-4
Kansas State (217) 3-11-3 T, 0-0
Drake (104) 12-3-3 T, 2-2
Minnesota (76) 7-6-4 T, 0-0
North Dakota State (205) 5-6-6 W, 3-2
South Dakota State (92) 11-3-2 W, 1-0
Connecticut (47) 8-3-5 L, 0-2
Georgetown (13) 10-1-7 L, 0-1
Marquette (126) 5-9-4 L, 1-3
Providence (45) 8-3-5 L, 1-3
St. John's (67) 9-5-3 L, 2-3
Villanova (187) 4-6-7 W, 2-1
Seton Hall (150) 6-6-5 W, 2-0
DePaul (131) 6-6-4 T, 1-1
Xavier (21) 12-2-4 L, 0-1
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' 11 seasons in the BIG EAST, Creighton has a combined road record of 11-30-9 in conference play. Last season the Bluejays success on the road helped propel themselves into the BIG EAST Tournament.
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: 2-2-1
2023: 1-2-1
Firing On All Cylinders
After being outshot 116-69 in non-conference play, Creighton has flipped the script and has outshot conference opponents 128-96 in nine conference matches, including a 70-43 advantage in shots in the second half.
Creighton was outshot in six of their eight non-conference matches but have since outshot six of their nine opponents in conference play this season.
In the Bluejays 2-1 win over Villanova last Sunday, Creighton recorded a season-high 21 shots, outshooting the Wildcats, 21-11.
Despite a 3-1 setback to Marquette on Sept. 28, Creighton's backline held the Golden Eagles to zero shots in the second half. It was the first time the Bluejays have held a team shotless in a half since the Bluejays limited North Dakota to zero shots in the second half last season.
