Creighton University
Nebraska
Women’s Soccer Kicks Off 2023 Season Against In-State Rival Nebraska on Thursday Night
8/16/2023 11:30:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Thursday, Aug. 17, 2022 • 6 p.m. | Omaha, Neb. | Morrison Stadium
VIDEO | FloSports Info | LIVE STATS | CU NOTES (PDF) | NU NOTES (PDF)
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The 2023 Creighton Women's Soccer season begins on Thursday, Aug. 17 as the Bluejays play host to in-state rival Nebraska at 6 p.m. inside Morrison Stadium.
Follow the Match
Thursday's match will feature both live video and live stats.
Live video for the contest will be available on FloSports featuring Jon Schriner and Maren McCrary, while live stats will be featured through StatBroadcast.
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 (0-0-0)
The Bluejays enter the 2023 season with renewed energy as 15 players return from last season's squad that posted an 8-4-8 record. Creighton returns eight players who started 10 or more matches in 2022, led by senior Lara Kazandjian.
Kazandjian, a 2022 All-BIG EAST First Team selection, was named to the All-BIG EAST Preseason Team after scoring a team-high four goals last fall.
Although the Creighton offense took a major hit with the departure of Aida Kardovic, the Bluejays attack remains strong as its top-five point scorers return from a season ago.
Senior Hannah Luke recorded three goals and three assists to tie for the team-lead in points while seniors Abigail Santana and Ariana Mondiri each delivered three goals and two assists in 2022. Junior Azumi Manriki also returns after contributing two goals and a team-high four assists last season.
In addition to the experience returning on the offensive side of the ball, the Bluejays return a wealth of experience on the defensive side.
Graduate Keelan Terrell brings 52 matches of experience and better then 4,700 minutes in the net for the Bluejays. Senior captains Gabby Grimaldi and Peighton Steffen will anchor the back line for the Bluejays after logging a combined 3,254 minutes last season.
Creighton also welcomes in 15 newcomers, including transfer Andrine Westlie and freshmen Maia and Shani Sirota (Israel) who 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 Nebraska (0-0-0)
The Cornhuskers enter the 2023 season receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason poll after recording an 8-7-5 overall record in 2022. Nebraska finished fourth in the Big Ten with a 5-3-2 mark but fell to Michigan State in the Big Ten Tournament Semifinals.
Nebraska returns 19 letterwinners, including all 11 starters from last season. The Cornhuskers also welcome six newcomers to this year's squad.
Junior Sarah Weber leads Nebraska's returners after being named to the All-Big Ten team last season. The Gretna native scored 10 goals, including three game-winners, while dishing out a team-high tying five assists. Weber also recently earned a spot on the All-Big Ten Preseason Team.
In addition to Weber, seniors Eleanor Dale and Gwen Lane were also both named to the Preseason All-Big Ten Team.
Dale ranked second on the team in points with 16 from seven goals and two assists, while Lane recorded one goal and one assist on the Cornhuskers back line.
Senior goalkeeper Sami Hauk returns to the goal for Nebraska this season after starting all 20 matches and collecting 77 saves for the Huskers last season. She recorded five shutouts but allowed 33 goals for a 1.65 goals against average in 2022.
Nebraska was picked to finish sixth in the Big Ten Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll.
Head Coach John Walker is in his 30th season at the helm and owns an overall record of 348-188-58 at Nebraska.
Series History Against The Cornhuskers
Battling for the first time since 2005, Nebraska holds a 4-3-1 lead on Creighton in the overall series. The Bluejays and Cornhuskers have met eight times previously with Nebraska claiming victories in four of the last five matchups.
Creighton and Nebraska have met twice in Omaha since the series started in 1994 with each team winning once. Creighton's last win in the series was a 1-0 triumph in Lincoln on Sept. 3, 1995.
Season-Opener History
Creighton is 17-14-3 in season openers all-time, including the Bluejays' 0-0 draw against Montana last season.
Under Paule, Creighton is 4-3-1 in season openers, including a perfect 4-0-0 mark in contests at home to start a season and a 6-2-0 record in home openers.
Thursday will mark the 18th time in program history that the Bluejays will open the season at home. Creighton is 11-4-2 in the 17 previous contests, claiming a 2-1 double-overtime victory over Montana on Aug. 19, 2021.
Overall, the Bluejays are 21-9-4 in its home opener since the program started in 1989.
Production Returns
Creighton returns eight players who started 10 or more matches from last fall's team that finished 8-4-8 and 4-3-3 in the BIG EAST Conference.
All told, CU returns 73.6 percent of its starts, 72 percent of its minutes, 65.4 percent of its goals, 77.3 percent of its assists, 68.9 percent of its points, and 93.0 percent of its saves off of last year's squad.
Below is a breakdown of the production that is back:
Stat Returners Departures
Starts 162 (73.6%) 58 (26.4%)
Minutes 14,372 (72.0%) 5,584 (28.0%)
Goals 17 (65.4%) 9 (34.6%)
Assists 17 (77.3%) 5 (22.7%)
Points 51 (68.9%) 23 (31.1%)
Saves 53 (93.0%) 4 (7.0%)
Scoring First Yields Success
Creighton finished 8-0-2 during the 2022 season when scoring first, but 0-4-4 when its opponent scores first.
Additionally, the Bluejays were a perfect 6-0-0 when leading at the half, but 0-3-3 when trailing after 45 minutes and 2-1-5 when the score was tied at halftime.
Creighton's last come-from-behind victory and last victory when trailing at the half came during the 2020 season against DePaul (April 4), when Aida Kardovic and Lea Høiness each netted goals in the second half for a 2-1 win.
Creighton Picked Fifth In BIG EAST Preseason Poll
The Bluejays were picked to finish fifth in the BIG EAST Preseason Coaches' Poll, the league announced on Aug. 10.
Creighton earned 67 points in the preseason coaches' poll to place fifth, two points behind fourth place finisher, Butler. The Bluejays went 4-3-3 during BIG EAST play last season to tie for fourth place before bowing out of the postseason in the semifinals of the BIG EAST Championship. The squad returns eight starters and a total of 15 returners from a season ago and welcomes 15 newcomers for the 2023 campaign.
Defending BIG EAST regular-season and tournament champion Georgetown claimed the top spot with 100 points, including the maximum 10 first-place votes. Xavier tallied one first-place vote and a total of 89 points to place second. St. John's totaled 79 points for third, followed by Butler with 69 points for fourth. Connecticut (63), Providence (47), Marquette (34), Villanova (33), DePaul (16) and Seton Hall (14) rounded out the bottom half of the poll.
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 semifinals on Nov. 3 (1 vs. winner of 4/5 and 2 vs. winner of 3/6) and final match on Nov. 6 will be played in Boyds, Md.
Kazandjian Tabbed To Preseason All-BIG EAST Team
Senior midfielder Lara Kazandjian earned individual recognition as the BIG EAST Preseason honors and poll was released on Thursday, Aug. 10.
Kazandjian, a Kirkland, Quebec, Canada native, made an immediate impact in her first season with the Bluejays in 2022. The senior was voted to the All-BIG EAST First Team last fall after leading the Bluejays with nine points on a team-high four goals and one assist. She logged 1,186 minutes in 17 matches on the pitch. Kazandjian is one of eight players returning to the squad this season after starting at least 10 matches during the 2022 season.
Preseason BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year
Abby Isger, Butler, R-Sr., F
Preseason BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year
Julia Leas, Georgetown, Grad., D*
Preseason BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year
Allie Augur, Georgetown, Grad., GK*
Preseason All-BIG EAST Team
Abby Isger, Butler, R-Sr., F
Talia Sommer, Butler, So., F/M
Chioma Okafor, Connecticut, So., F
Lara Kazandjian, Creighton, Sr., M
Allie Augur, Georgetown, Grad., GK*
Julia Leas, Georgetown, Grad., D*
Eliza Turner, Georgetown, Jr., M
Meg Hughes, Providence, Sr., F
Jessica Garziano, St. John's, Grad., F
Natalie Bain, Xavier, So., D
Ella Rogers, Xavier, Jr., M
*Unanimous selection
Exhibition Recap:
Aug. 11: Creighton 2, Omaha 1
Powered by goals from junior Azumi Manriki and sophomore Andrine Westlie, the Creighton women's soccer team defeated Omaha 2-1 in the Bluejays lone exhibition match of the 2023 preseason on Friday, Aug. 11.
Manriki put the Bluejays on the scoreboard first, blasting a 30-yard rocket pass the outstretched reach of the Mavericks diving goalkeeper and into the back of the net in the 20th minute (19:49).
Headed into the second half with a 1-0 lead, Westlie extended the Bluejays lead out to 2-0 heading in a perfectly placed cross into the box from freshman Clara Kulick in the 49th minute (48:40).
Omaha, however, cut Creighton's lead down to 2-1 as the Mavericks converted a penalty kick in the 84th minute.
Season Outlook
Entering his ninth year as the Bluejay head coach, Ross Paule and his experienced squad have their sights set on a return trip to the BIG EAST Tournament and their first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 2010.
Creighton ended last season in its second BIG EAST Championship semifinals after closing the year with an 8-4-8 overall record, including a tie in the first round of the BIG EAST Championships that resulted in a 6-5 penalty kick shootout victory over Butler.
The Bluejays bring back a wealth of experience with 12 returning players starting at least four matches last season.
One of the driving forces for the Bluejays in 2023 will be goalkeeper Keelan Terrell. The Kansas native returns for her fifth
season in net for the Bluejays after posting a 0.99 goals against average in 17 matches last season.
The addition of Caroline Blum and Maddie Merrick as well as the return of Kailey Hall adds depth in the net as all three goalkeepers will battle for playing time.
Senior Peighton Steffen and graduate student Gabby Grimaldi will lead the line of defense in front Terrell once again this season. The duo logged over 3,200 minutes combined last fall, while posting seven shutouts. Steffen started all 20 matches, playing a team-high 1,812 minutes for the third consecutive
season. Grimaldi saw action in 19 matches,
tallying one assist.
Graduate student Hitomi Yamaue is expected to return to the back line this season after having her 2022 season cut short due to a knee injury, while senior Maddie Radke will be called upon to play a more significant role this season after dishing out three assists last fall.
Offensively, the Bluejays have a large hole to fill as three-time All-BIG EAST First Team honoree, Aida Kardovic, graduated in the spring of 2023.
Although, All-East Region honoree Aida Kardovic has departed, the Creighton attack remains strong as the Bluejays welcome back the top-five point scorers
from a season ago, including All-BIG
EAST selection Lara Kazandjian. She closed 2022 with four goals and an assist, while senior Hannah Luke delivered three goals and three assists in 20 matches.
Seniors Abigail Santana and Ariana Mondiri, as well as junior Azumi Manriki are all
expected to be key contributors for the Bluejays once again this season. Last fall Mondiri and Santana each delivered three goals and two assists, while Manriki dished out a team-high four assists and added two goals.
Creighton welcomes in 15 newcomers for the 2023 campaign, which includes four transfers and 11 freshmen.
Senior Stella Downing comes to Creighton after playing two seasons at Ole Miss. As a Rebel, Downing tallied three assists while appearing in 41 matches. Prior to joining Ole Miss, Downing dished out two assists in 12 matches at Memphis.
Aaliyah Scott, a graduate transfer from West Virginia, helped guide the Mountaineers to three NCAA Tournaments, tallying two goals and five assists in 1,988 minutes over four seasons.
Freshmen Shani Sirota and Savanna Solomon are also expected to make an immediate impact for the Bluejays this season.
Creighton's 2023 schedule will test the Bluejays from the first day of the regular season as Creighton opens the year with a match against in-state rival Nebraska on Aug. 17. In total, Creighton will host nine regular-season matches inside Morrison Stadium, which includes match- ups against Minnesota and perennial BIG EAST powerhouse Georgetown.
The Bluejays will also be battle tested on the road, traveling to face defending Atlantic 10 Conference champion Saint Louis before conference road trips to Connecticut, Villanova, DePaul and Butler.
Home Sweet Home
Creighton is 111-56-25 all-time at Morrison Stadium (opened in 2003), which includes a 6-1-3 mark last season.
The Bluejays six home wins last fall were tied for the second most home wins since joining the BIG EAST in 2013 and the tied for the seventh most home wins since moving into Morrison Stadium in 2003.
Creighton holds a 49-31-10 mark at Morrison Stadium since the start of 2013, when the program joined the BIG EAST and a 16-25-5 mark during home league matches.
The Bluejays are also 21-9-4 all-time in home-openers, which includes an 12-5-3 mark during home-openers at Morrison Stadium.
Most Win in Morrison Stadium in a Season
Year Wins Overall Home Record
1. 2010 9 9-1-2
2. 2009 8 8-2-2
2008 8 8-2-1
2005 8 8-1-1
5. 2015 7 7-4-0
2007 7 7-2-1
7. 2022 6 6-1-3
2019 6 6-4-0
2016 6 6-2-2
2013 6 6-4-0
2006 6 6-5-0
International Flavor
Creighton finds players from all over the globe to come to Omaha, Neb. to play soccer and this year's roster features a more robust team with players from 10 different countries.
Creighton head coach Ross Paule has gathered a group of 17 players from nine different international countries, while the remaining 13 players hail from the United States.
Canada: (4) Stella Downing, Lara Kazandjian, Tejia Murray-Powell, Aaliyah Scott
England: (4) Hannah Luke, Stacey Qosja, Millie Thistleton, Tilly Thomas
France: (1) Ariana Mondiri
Germany: (1) Caroline Blum
Israel: (2) Maia Sirota, Shani Sirota
Japan: (2) Hitomi Yamaue, Azumi Manriki
Norway: (1) Andrine Westlie
Puerto Rico: (1) Jess Torres
Serbia: (1) Anja Jestrovic
United State: (13)
The Dynamic Sirota Twins
In their first season on the pitch with the Bluejays, twin sisters Maia and Shani Sirota have a special bond on the field. It is a unique experience that a lot of people don't get to do.
This season Creighton is one of 12 Division I schools to have a set of twins playing on the same team. Creighton is the only school in the BIG EAST with a set of twins, while the Pac-12 Conference has three schools with a set of twins.
Terrell's Logging Major Minutes
A fixture in goal for the Bluejays over the last four seasons has graduate goalkeeper Keelan Terrell climbing the Creighton ranks for career goalkeeper minutes.
Last season Terrell started 17 matches in goal, logging 1,549 minutes and five shutouts in between the posts for the Bluejays.
In her four years with the Bluejays, the Olathe, Kans. native has seen action in 52 matches, making 49 starts and logging 4,711 total minutes in between the posts, ranking sixth on Creighton's all-time goalkeeper minutes played list.
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 4,711 2019-present
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
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 tied for fourth in goals against average (1.15), sixth in goalkeeper minutes (4,711), seventh in shutouts (13), ninth in goalkeeper victories (17) and tied for ninth in total saves (160).
Goalkeeping Victories
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. Danielle Rice 19 2013-14
Valerie Zimmerer 19 2003-06
9. Keelan Terrell 17 2019-present
10. Katie Sullivan 13 2018-20
Saves
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. Danielle Rice 199 2013-14
7. Maggie Phelan 193 1997-00
8. Katie Jo Swanson 173 2009-12
9. Keelan Terrell 160 2019-present
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. Keelan Terrell 1.15 2019-present
Jaimie Thompson 1.15 2000-03
6. Kristen Casey 1.18 2005-08
7. Katie Jo Swanson 1.24 2009-12
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. Maggie Phelan 17 (6) 1997-00
7. Keelan Terrell 13 (0) 2019-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
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.aspx
