Creighton University
Kansas State
Bluejay Women’s Soccer Continues Road Trip With Match at Kansas State on Sunday
8/26/2023 9:57:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Match #4: Creighton Bluejays (0-2-1) at Kansas State Wildcats (2-0-1)
Sunday, Aug. 27, 2022 • 1:00 p.m.
Manhattan, Kan. | Buser Family Park
Television: ESPN+
Series History: Creighton leads 2-0-1
LIVE VIDEO | LIVE STATS | CU NOTES (PDF)
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The Creighton women's soccer team continues their season-long three match road trip on Sunday afternoon as the Bluejays travel to Manhattan, Kan. to battle Kansas State. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. from Buser Family Park.
Follow the Match
Sunday'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 (0-2-1)
Creighton is 0-2-1 this season after suffering back-to-back losses to Missouri (3-1) and at Saint Louis (4-1). The Bluejays also opened the 2023 campaign with a 2-2 draw against Nebraska.
Seniors Maddie Radke, Hannah Luke and Abigail Santana have each delivered a goal for Creighton this season, while the fourth was a own goal scored by Missouri. Junior Azumi Manriki and senior Lara Kazandjian have each recorded one assist. Santana leads the team with three points, having also dished out an 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 Kansas State (2-0-1)
Kansas State is 2-0-1 this season heading into Sunday's match, its best start since the 2018 season. The Wildcats own a pair of victories over Green Bay (4-1) and UTSA (2-0), while battling to a 0-0 draw against #18 Northwestern.
Sophomore Jazmin Brown and freshman Jo Sees leads the team with two goals apiece, while senior Aliyah El-Naggar and freshman Morgan Struttmann have each provided one goal.
Sophomore Murphy Sheaff has played every minute (270) in goal for Kansas State, allowing just one goal for a 0.33 goals against average with eight total saves.
Kansas State returns 14 letterwinners and four of its top nine point scores from a season ago. The Wildcats also added 17 newcomers, including 13 true freshmen in the offseason.
Anoung the top returns is sophomore midfielder Adah Anderson, who led the Wildcats with four assists in 2022.
Kansas State was picked to finish 12th in this seasons Big 12 preseason poll.
Head Coach Mike Dibbini is in his eighth season at the helm and owns an overall record of 33-74-16 at Kansas State.
Series History Against The Wildcats
After a three year hiatus, the Bluejays and Wildcats renew their series on Sunday afternoon. Creighton and Kansas State have met just three times in program history, with Creighton holding a 2-0-1 lead in the series.
The two squads battled to a draw in Omaha in 2016, before the Bluejays earned a pair of 3-2 wins in 2017 and 2019. Creighton is 1-0 in the Little Apple.
Bluejay History in First Road Match of Season
Creighton hit the road for the first time this season on Thursday, Aug. 24 at Saint Louis but dropped a 4-1 decision to the Billikens. The Bluejays moved to 14-18-2 all-time in road opening matches, while Creighton is now 2-5-1 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 4,759 minutes in her career, 99.4 percent of the 4,789 possible minutes she could have played.
Dating back to last season, Steffen has played 1,640 consecutive minutes along the Creighton backline. Her 1,640 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.
This year, Creighton is 0-1-0 when scoring first and 0-1-1 when the opponents score first.
Overall, Creighton is 46-12-9 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 55 matches, making 54 starts and logging 4,982 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 4,982 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 (4,982), seventh in goals against average (1.25), seventh in shutouts (13), eighth in total saves (175) and ninth in goalkeeper victories (17)
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. Keelan Terrell 175 2019-present
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 1.25 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. 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
