Sunday, September 10
Fargo, ND
1:00 p.m.
Creighton University
3
at
2
North Dakota State
Photo by: Sullivan Lawrence
Yamaue Delivers Game-Winner During 84th Minute to Lift Bluejays To 3-2 Win Over North Dakota State
9/10/2023 4:05:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Creighton scores three unanswered goals to secure first win of the season
FARGO, N.D. – A pair of goals by senior Abigail Santana and a game-winning goal from Hitomi Yamaue in the 84th minute lifted the Creighton Women's soccer team to a 3-2 win over North Dakota State on Sunday afternoon at Dacotah Field in Fargo, N.D.
The win was the Bluejays first win of the season and the first win when trailing 2-0 since Creighton scored three unanswered goals in a 3-2 win over Kansas State in the 2019 season opener. It was also the Bluejays first come-from-behind victory since defeating DePaul, 2-1, on April 4, 2021.
With the win Creighton improved to 1-2-4 on the year, while North Dakota State fell to 3-3-2 overall.
Yamaue delivered the game-winning goal during the 84th minute after receiving a pass from senior Hannah Luke in the middle of the 18-yard box. Yamaue handled the pass and quickly blasted a shot past the outstretched reach of North Dakota State goalkeeper Abby Wilkinson for her first goal of the season, securing the 3-2 win for the Bluejays.
The senior converted on her only shot of the match and the team's 11th shot of the second half as the Bluejays finished the second period with an 11-4 advantage in shots.
North Dakota State opened the scoring in the fourth minute of play as junior Olivia Watson slotted an unassisted goal into the back of the net to give the Bison a 1-0 lead. Watson netted her third goal of the season after recovering a loose ball inside the 18-yard box after a shot from freshman Ava Stanchina was saved by Bluejay goalkeeper Keelan Terrell.
The Bison extended their lead to 2-0 in the 17th minute. NDSU's Paige Goaley take a long entry pass from Jess Hanley and flipped a shot over the head of Terrell and into the back of the net for her first goal of the season.
Creighton, however, quickly answered with a goal in the 20th minute of play as senior Abigail Santana gathered a ball in the Bluejays attaching third and fired a shot past Wilkinson and into the back of the net to cut the deficit to 2-1.
Similar to previous games this season, Creighton increased its offensive intensity in the early moments of the second half. After being held to just five shots in the opening 45 minutes, the Bluejay fired off seven shots, including six on goal in the first 15 minutes of the second period.
Creighton's offensive intensity paid off in the 62nd minute as Santana leveled the contest at 2-2 with her second goal of the afternoon. Wilkinson failed to secure a cross into the box, leaving a loose ball for Santana to finish at the top of the six-yard box.
The Bluejay continued to pour on the offensive pressure throughout the remainder of the second half with Yamaue delivering the game-winning goal in the 84th minute.
Creighton ended the afternoon with a 16-11 advantage in shots, including a 12-9 edge in shots on goal while also holding a 6-2 advantage in corner kicks. Terrell collected a season-high tying seven saves, moving into seventh on Creighton's all-time career goalkeeper saves list.
The Bluejays close out the non-conference portion of the schedule when they return to the pitch on Friday, Sept. 15 for a match against South Dakota State. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. inside Morrison Stadium.
The win was the Bluejays first win of the season and the first win when trailing 2-0 since Creighton scored three unanswered goals in a 3-2 win over Kansas State in the 2019 season opener. It was also the Bluejays first come-from-behind victory since defeating DePaul, 2-1, on April 4, 2021.
With the win Creighton improved to 1-2-4 on the year, while North Dakota State fell to 3-3-2 overall.
Yamaue delivered the game-winning goal during the 84th minute after receiving a pass from senior Hannah Luke in the middle of the 18-yard box. Yamaue handled the pass and quickly blasted a shot past the outstretched reach of North Dakota State goalkeeper Abby Wilkinson for her first goal of the season, securing the 3-2 win for the Bluejays.
The senior converted on her only shot of the match and the team's 11th shot of the second half as the Bluejays finished the second period with an 11-4 advantage in shots.
North Dakota State opened the scoring in the fourth minute of play as junior Olivia Watson slotted an unassisted goal into the back of the net to give the Bison a 1-0 lead. Watson netted her third goal of the season after recovering a loose ball inside the 18-yard box after a shot from freshman Ava Stanchina was saved by Bluejay goalkeeper Keelan Terrell.
The Bison extended their lead to 2-0 in the 17th minute. NDSU's Paige Goaley take a long entry pass from Jess Hanley and flipped a shot over the head of Terrell and into the back of the net for her first goal of the season.
Creighton, however, quickly answered with a goal in the 20th minute of play as senior Abigail Santana gathered a ball in the Bluejays attaching third and fired a shot past Wilkinson and into the back of the net to cut the deficit to 2-1.
Similar to previous games this season, Creighton increased its offensive intensity in the early moments of the second half. After being held to just five shots in the opening 45 minutes, the Bluejay fired off seven shots, including six on goal in the first 15 minutes of the second period.
Creighton's offensive intensity paid off in the 62nd minute as Santana leveled the contest at 2-2 with her second goal of the afternoon. Wilkinson failed to secure a cross into the box, leaving a loose ball for Santana to finish at the top of the six-yard box.
The Bluejay continued to pour on the offensive pressure throughout the remainder of the second half with Yamaue delivering the game-winning goal in the 84th minute.
Creighton ended the afternoon with a 16-11 advantage in shots, including a 12-9 edge in shots on goal while also holding a 6-2 advantage in corner kicks. Terrell collected a season-high tying seven saves, moving into seventh on Creighton's all-time career goalkeeper saves list.
The Bluejays close out the non-conference portion of the schedule when they return to the pitch on Friday, Sept. 15 for a match against South Dakota State. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. inside Morrison Stadium.
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's SoccerCreighton Women's Soccer Media Availability 9/30/25
Tuesday, September 30
Creighton Women's Soccer Postgame vs. Marquette, 9/27/25
Sunday, September 28
Creighton Women's Soccer Highlights vs. Marquette, 9/27/25
Sunday, September 28
Creighton Women's Soccer Highlights vs. Villanova, 9/24/25
Wednesday, September 24
