Women's Soccer Hits the Road to Face Saint Louis on Thursday

Match #3: Creighton Bluejays (0-1-1) at (RV) Saint Louis Billikens (1-1-0)
Thursday, Aug. 24, 2022 • 6:00 p.m.
Saint Louis, Mo. | Hermann Stadium
Television: ESPN+
Series History: Saint Louis Leads 2-0-0
LIVE VIDEO | LIVE STATS | CU NOTES (PDF)

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The Creighton women's soccer team hits the road for the first time in 2023 as the Bluejays travel to Saint Louis for a match against the Billikens on Thursday, Aug. 24 at 6 p.m.

Follow the Match

Thursday's match will feature both live video and live stats.

Live video for the contest will be available on ESPN+ while live stats will be featured through StatBroadcast. A subscription is required to view the event on ESPN+.

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 (0-1-1)

The Bluejays hit the road for the first time this season with a 0-1-1 record after opening the 2023 campaign with a 2-2 draw against Nebraska, before fall to Missouri, 3-1.

Seniors Maddie Radke and Hannah Luke have each delivered a goal for Creighton this season, while the third was a own goal scored by Missouri. Junior Azumi Manriki and seniors Lara Kazandjian and Abigail Santana have all recorded one assist.

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, 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.

The Creighton attack remains strong as its top-five point scorers return from a season ago. Luke recorded three goals and three assists to tie for the team-lead in points while Santana and senior Ariana Mondiri each delivered three goals and two assists in 2022. 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 14 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 (RV) Saint Louis (1-1-0)

Set to play their first home match of the season, Saint Louis brings a 1-1-0 record into Thursday night's contest at Hermann Stadium.

The Billikens opened the 2023 campaign with a narrow 3-2 loss at #13 BYU, before posting a 2-0 shutout victory over Utah State last Sunday.

Senior's Caroline Kelly and Sophia Stram as well as juniors Emily Gaebe and Hannah Sawyer have each recorded one goal this season, while Hannah Larson has dished out two assists.

Goalkeeper Emily Puricelli has secured 17 saves this season, while allowing three goals for a 1.50 goals against average. The senior recently became the school's all-time leader in career goalkeeper victories with 49 wins.

The Billikens return 17 players, including nine starters, from last season's record setting year. Of those 17 returns, Saint Louis returns seven Atlantic 10 All-Conference and three United Soccer Coaches Association All-American honorees.

Saint Louis ended the 2022 season leading the country in winning percentage (.909), goal per game (2.95), assists per game (2.77) and points per game (8.68), while finishing third in shutout percentage (.682) and goals against average (0.46).

Among the returns is defender Lyndsey Heckel, who earned First Team All-American honors, and Second Team All-American honoree Abbie Miller.

The Billikens were picked as the favorites to win the Atlantic 10 once again this season, after capturing a perfect 10-0 mark in conference play in 2022.

Head Coach Katie Shields is in his 11th season at the helm and owns an overall record of 134-57-13 at Saint Louis.

Series History Against The Billikens

Creighton and Saint Louis have met just two times in program history but have not met since 2001. The Billikens hold a 2-0-0 lead in the series, claiming victories in both previous meetings.

Saint Louis picked up a 2-0 win over the Bluejays in first ever meeting in 2000 and a 2-1 double-overtime victory during the 2001 season.

Bluejay History in First Road Match of Season

Creighton hits the road for the first time this season with a contest on Thursday night at Saint Louis. The Bluejays are 14-17-2 all-time in road opening matches, while Creighton is 2-4-1 under head coach Ross Paule.

Bluejays Net Fastest Goal in Morrison Stadium History and Fastest Goal since 2001

Head coach Ross Paule has been known for waiting to take an advantage early and that was exactly what the Bluejays did on Aug. 20 against Missouri. The Bluejays took the opening kickoff and raced down the field firing their first shot of the match just 10 second into the contest.

Although the shot was saved, the Bluejays recovered the loose ball and sent a cross back into the box, where a Missouri player headed the pass into their own goal giving Creighton a 1-0 lead just 22 second into the match.

The 22 second goal was the fastest goal ever recorded in Morrison Stadium history, men's or women's and was also the fastest goal scored by the Bluejays since Lulu Quigley converted a penalty kick just 21 seconds in a contest against Western Illinois on Oct. 28, 2001.

It was the third time in the last two seasons that the Bluejays have scored in the first 90 seconds on a match. Last season, Juelle Love scored just 41 seconds in a match against Tulsa (Sept. 4), just three days after Jenny Grissom netted a goal 70 seconds into a match against North Dakota (Sept. 1).

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 4,669 minutes in her career, 99.4 percent of the 4,699 possible minutes she could have played.

Dating back to last season, Steffen has played 1,550 consecutive minutes along the Creighton backline. Her 1,550 consecutive minutes played is the longest stretch by a Bluejay player since Keelan Terrell played 2,193 consecutive minutes in goal between the 2020 and 2021 seasons.

Near Record Crowd Witnesses Bluejays Season-Opener

Creighton hosted the third largest crowd in school history on Thursday Aug. 17, when Nebraska traveled up I-80 for the 2023 season-opener. The crowd of 1,834 saw the Bluejays deliver a pair of equalizing goals in the second half to earn a 2-2 draw.

Thursday's crowd was the largest crowd to witness a Creighton women's soccer match since 2,023 fans saw the Bluejays overcome a 2-0 deficit to beat Kansas State, 3-2, in the 2019 season-opener.

1. 2,308 vs. Omaha, Sept. 16. 2017 (W, 3-1)

2. 2,023 vs. Kansas State, Aug. 23, 2019 (W, 3-2)

3. 1,834 vs. Nebraska, Aug. 17, 2023 (T, 2-2)

4. 1,678 vs. Omaha, Sept. 20, 2013 (W, 3-2)

5. 1,547 vs. Iowa, Sept. 21, 2007 (L, 0-1)

New Faces Around the Pitch

Opening a new season always brings new challenges, including integrating new players into the Bluejay lineup.

Creighton's starting XI featured three players making their first start in a Bluejay uniform during the season opener against Nebraska.

In total, seven players made their Creighton debut against Nebraska. The seven newcomers are the most newcomers to appear in a season-opening games since seven Bluejays made their first appearance against Kansas State in the 2019 season-opener.

Freshmen Maia and Shani Sirota as well as sophomore Andrine Westlie earned their first Bluejay start, while Savanna Solomon, Tejia Murray-Powell, Clara Kulick and Tilly Thomas all made their Bluejay debuts against the Huskers. Sophomore transfer Millie Thistleton also made her Bluejays debut against Missouri on Aug. 20.

Bluejays' Post Season-Opening Draw

For the fourth time in program history, Creighton posted a draw to open the season, scoring a pair of second-half goals in the Bluejays' 2-2 tie against Nebraska. It is the second straight season the Bluejays have opened the season with a tie, which includes a 0-0 draw against Montana last season.

The Bluejays also open the season with a draw during the 2009 (T, 0-0 (2ot) vs. Iowa State) and the 2010 (T, 0-0 (2ot) vs. South Dakota State) seasons.

The Aug. 20th match against Nebraska was Creighton's first tie in a game with four or more total goals since a 2-2 draw vs. #10 Georgetown in 2019.

Season-Opener History

With a 2-2 draw against Nebraska on Aug. 17, Creighton moved to 17-14-4 in season openers all-time and 21-9-5 is home openers.

Under Paule, Creighton is 4-3-2 in season openers, which includes a 4-0-1 mark in contests at home to start a season and a 6-2-1 record in home openers.

Thursday marked the 18th time in program history that the Bluejays opened the season at home. Creighton is now 11-4-3 in those contests.

Hannah Luke Delivers Latest Game-Tying Goal Since 2017

Down to the final eight minutes of play in the season-opener against Nebraska, senior Hannah Luke delivered an equalizing goal in the 83rd minute (82:48) of play to earn the Bluejays a 2-2 draw.

Luke's goal at 82:48 was the latest game-tying goal scored by a Bluejays since Jaylin Bosak scored in the 90th minute (89:24) against South Dakota State on Sept. 3, 2017.

Impact of No Overtime

One of the major changes prior to the 202 season was the elimination of overtime from the regular season. Overtime will continue to only come into play in the postseason with some additional changes. First, there is no golden goal. Teams will now play two 10-minute periods before heading to a shootout if the score remains tied after the overtime periods.

Since joining the BIG EAST in 2013, Creighton had played 36 overtime matches with the Bluejays going 8-14-14 in those contests.

In the first four years in the BIG EAST, Creighton went 5-4-4 in matches that went extra time. The five seasons prior to change had not fared quite as well, as the Bluejays had gone 3-10-9 in overtime matches.

In total, Creighton has played 128 overtime matches with the Bluejays holding a 35-42-51 mark in those contests.

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.

Overall, Creighton is 46-10-9 when leading at the half, but 10-54-7 when trailing after 45 minutes and 0-0-5 when tied at half under head coach Ross Paule.

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.

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 16 players from nine different international countries, while the remaining 13 players hail from the United States.

Canada: (3) Stella Downing, Lara Kazandjian, Tejia Murray-Powell

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 16 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.

Seeing Double

Freshmen Maia Sirota and Shani Sirota joined the Bluejay program this season as twins. Maia wears number 6 for Creighton, while Shani will sport the number 20.

The Sirota twins are the second set of twins to play for the Creighton women's soccer program.

Across all of Creighton Athletics, there have been 12 known sets of twins to play in the same sport. Two other pairs of players were part of triplets.

Men's Soccer: Cameron and Dominic Briggs (2018)

Rowing: Taylor and Payton Genis (2015-16); Joy and Mary Dobrauc (two of triplets) (1998-2002)

Softball: Alex and Mac Millspaugh (2014); Brittanee and Malloree Grove (two of triplets) (2011)

Women's Tennis: Sarah and Leesa Cadwallader (2007-2011); Jeanne and Jenny Daker (1995-2000); Kim and Lisa Lamberti (1985-87)

Women's Soccer: Katy and Ally Peetz (2004-07); Maia and Shani Sirota (2023)

Men's Golf: Aaron and Adam Tschuor (2001-05); Joe and Tom Zaccone (1987-91)

Women's Cross Country: Nikki and Tara Novotney (1991-94)

Men's Basketball: Gary and Glen McCracker (1985-86)

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 54 matches, making 51 starts and logging 4,892 total minutes in between the posts, ranking fifth 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. Keelan Terrell 4,892 2019-present

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

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 fifth in goalkeeper minutes (4,892), sixth in goals against average (1.20), seventh in shutouts (13), ninth in goalkeeper victories (17) and ninth in total saves (171).

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. Danielle Rice 19 2013-14

Valerie Zimmerer 19 2003-06

9. Keelan Terrell 17 2019-present

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. Danielle Rice 199 2013-14

7. Maggie Phelan 193 1997-00

8. Katie Jo Swanson 173 2009-12

9. Keelan Terrell 171 2019-present

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. Keelan Terrell 1.20 2019-present

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

Women's Soccer Hits the Road to Face Saint Louis on Thursday

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Caroline Blum

Caroline Blum

Stella Downing

Gabby Grimaldi

Gabby Grimaldi

Jenny Grissom

Jenny Grissom

Anja Jestrovic

Anja Jestrovic

Aida Kardovic

Lara Kazandjian

Lara Kazandjian

Clara Kulick

Clara Kulick

Juelle Love

Juelle Love

Hannah Luke

Hannah Luke

Azumi Manriki

Azumi Manriki

Ariana Mondiri

Tejia Murray-Powell

Tejia Murray-Powell

Stacey Qosja

Maddie Radke

Maddie Radke

Abigail Santana

Abigail Santana

Maia Sirota

Maia Sirota

Shani Sirota

Shani Sirota

Savanna Solomon

Peighton Steffen

Peighton Steffen

Keelan Terrell

Millie Thistleton

Tilly Thomas

Jess Torres

Jess Torres

Andrine Westlie

Andrine Westlie

Hitomi Yamaue

Hitomi Yamaue

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