Gabriela Guillén Makes History; Becoming First Creighton Player To Start In World Cup
7/26/2023 11:19:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Dunedin, New Zealand – Former Creighton women's soccer standout Gabriela Guillén made history on Wednesday, July 26, becoming the first Bluejay soccer player, men's or women's, to start a World Cup match.
Earning her 26th Costa Rican National Team cap, Guillén gained her first starting cap in World Cup play as she saw 45 minutes of action against Japan. In the 18th minute, Guillén recorded Costa Rica's first shot on goal in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup with a looping shot from 30 yards out. Japan's Ayaka Yamashita, however, was able to smother the attempt to keep Costa Rica off the scoreboard.
The match was special to Guillén as it was her first career start in the World Cup. No stranger to the national stage Guillén became the first Bluejay to participate in the FIFA World Cup in 2015 as the Costa Rican native played in one match against Spain. She also helped the Costa Rican Women's Team to a silver medal at the 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games and was later called up to play with Costa Rica in the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification matches.
As a Bluejay, Guillén appeared in 64 matches, making 38 starts over four seasons from 2009-12. Playing primarily along the Bluejays' backline, Guillén scored one goal and dished out six assists while playing 3,696 minutes. As a sophomore in 2010, Guillén helped lead Creighton to a 15-4-2 overall record, securing the Bluejays' second MVC regular-season championship. The Bluejays went on to win their fifth MVC Tournament Title and advance to the NCAA Tournament for the fifth time in program history.
Guillén and her Costa Rican squad will return to the pitch on Monday, July 31 at 2 a.m. (CT) against Zambia. The match will be televised on FS1.
Earning her 26th Costa Rican National Team cap, Guillén gained her first starting cap in World Cup play as she saw 45 minutes of action against Japan. In the 18th minute, Guillén recorded Costa Rica's first shot on goal in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup with a looping shot from 30 yards out. Japan's Ayaka Yamashita, however, was able to smother the attempt to keep Costa Rica off the scoreboard.
The match was special to Guillén as it was her first career start in the World Cup. No stranger to the national stage Guillén became the first Bluejay to participate in the FIFA World Cup in 2015 as the Costa Rican native played in one match against Spain. She also helped the Costa Rican Women's Team to a silver medal at the 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games and was later called up to play with Costa Rica in the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification matches.
As a Bluejay, Guillén appeared in 64 matches, making 38 starts over four seasons from 2009-12. Playing primarily along the Bluejays' backline, Guillén scored one goal and dished out six assists while playing 3,696 minutes. As a sophomore in 2010, Guillén helped lead Creighton to a 15-4-2 overall record, securing the Bluejays' second MVC regular-season championship. The Bluejays went on to win their fifth MVC Tournament Title and advance to the NCAA Tournament for the fifth time in program history.
Guillén and her Costa Rican squad will return to the pitch on Monday, July 31 at 2 a.m. (CT) against Zambia. The match will be televised on FS1.
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