Women's Soccer Hosts 10th Annual Pink Out on Sunday vs. Blue Demons

Match #13: DePaul Blue Demons (4-5-5, 2-1-3 BE) at Creighton Bluejays (6-5-1, 3-3-0 BE)
Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024 • 12:00 p.m. • Omaha, Neb. • Morrison Stadium
LIVE VIDEO | LIVE STATS | CU NOTES (PDF)

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Creighton (6-5-1, 3-3-0 BE) closes out its three-match homestand as the Bluejays looks to carry momentum into a matchup against DePaul (4-5-5, 2-1-3 BE) on Sunday at 12 p.m. in the programs 10th Annual Pink Out match.

Follow the Match

Sunday's pink out match will feature both live video and live stats.

Live stats for Sunday's contest against DePaul will be featured through http://Creighton.StatBroadcast.com, while live video will be available on FloSports with Josh Peterson and Averie Howard on the call.

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 also be provided during the match on Twitter (@CreightonWSoc).

Scouting Creighton (6-5-1, 3-3-0 BE)

Creighton has won three of its last four matches and enters Sunday's pink out contest with a 6-5-1 overall record and a 3-3-0 mark in the BIG EAST.

The Bluejays have been incredibly efficient inside Morrison Stadium this season, recording a 4-1-1 record with wins over Western Michigan (3-0), Kansas City (1-0), UConn (2-1) and Providence (1-0) as well as a scoreless draw against then #19 Saint Louis.

Creighton started slow in conference play, dropping their first two matches to Georgetown (1-0) and Villanova (2-0), but have increased offensive production over the last few weeks, while posting wins in three of their last four matches.

Creighton is led by the foot of senior attacker, Azumi Manriki. Following a breakout Second Team All-BIG EAST junior campaign in 2023, Manriki has collected three goals while recording a team-high 22 shots in 971 minutes of action.

Seniors Ariana Mondiri and Stella Downing, as well as sophomore Anja Jestrovic follow closely with two goals each this season. In addition to the quartets multi-goal efforts this fall, there are five additional Bluejays have found the back of the net at least once this season.

Creighton is anchored in net by senior goalkeeper, Alyssa Zalac. Zalac has been busy between the post this season, recording 48 saves while logging a combined 1080 minutes in 12 starts in goal. Zalac's 48 saves are the fourth most in the BIG EAST this season, while her 4.00 saves per game is sufficient for second-most in the league.

The Bluejays bring back 15 letterwinners, including five returning starters who boast a wealth of experience from a season ago. Fifth-year seniors Lara Kazandjian and Downing are expected to make significant impacts in the Bluejays offense this season, while seniors Maddie Radke and Alyssa Judkins anchor the Bluejays back line defensively.

Head coach Jimmy Walker is in his first season at the helm of the Bluejays and owns a 182-100-27 career record.

Scouting DePaul (4-5-5, 2-1-3 BE)

DePaul is 4-5-5 this season and 2-1-3 in BIG EAST play but has posted results in each of their last five contests to move into a tie for third in the BIG EAST standings.

The Blue Demons are coming off a pair of marquee wins at home against then #18 Georgetown (1-0) and Seton Hall (3-1).

Despite success at Wish Field this season, the Blue Demons have struggled any sort of rhythm on the road, recording a 1-3-1 mark this season while getting outscored, 7-3. DePaul's lone road victory came on Sept. 5 when the Blue Demons defeated UIC, 1-0.

Controlling DePaul's offensive attack is junior Freya Jupp. Jupp has collected four goals and has dished out one assist for a team-high nine points, while Lea Eisenring has contributed a pair of goals and a team-high two assists. Five additional Blue Demons trail Jupp and Eisenring with one goal each.

Offensively as a team, DePaul ranks tied for ninth in total goals (12), 11th in total shots (112), ninth in assists (9) and ninth in total points (33).

In the net, goalkeeping duties have been assigned to graduate Elena Milam. Milam returns to DePaul after a stellar senior season in 2023, where she led the BIG EAST with 90 saves. This season, the Blue Demon netminder currently ranks third in the BIG EAST with 50 saves recorded, while her 1.22 goals against average is ninth best in the league.

DePaul was picked 11th in the BIG EAST Preseason Coaches' poll this season as head coach Michele O'Brien is in her fourth season with the Blue Demons.

Series History Against The Blue Demon's

Creighton and DePaul will meet for the 13th time in program history on Sunday afternoon, with the Blue Demons holding an 8-2-2 edge in the all-time series.

DePaul won the first six meetings between the two schools, before Creighton claimed a 2-0 shutout win in 2019. The Bluejays and Blue Demons then alternated wins until battling to a 1-1 draws in each of the last two meetings.

Creighton is 2-3-1 all-time against DePaul in matches played in Omaha. Head coach Jimmy Walker has never faced DePaul in his coaching career.

Bluejays Don Pink Uniforms Against Seton Hall

Creighton will wear its alternate pink uniforms on Sunday as the Bluejays host its annual Pink Out match. Fans are encouraged to wear pink to promote breast cancer awareness.

This year marks the 10th Pink Out match in program history and the first under head coach Jimmy Walker. Since its creation in 2012 by former head coach Bruce Erickson, the Bluejays are 3-6-0 in Pink Out games.

Last season, Creighton defeated Seton Hall, 2-0, picking up its first Pink Out victory since 2016.

Date Opponent Result

10/11/12 Drake L, 2-3

10/12/13 DePaul L, 1-2 (ot)

10/16/14 Villanova L, 0-2

10/4/15 Villanova W, 3-1

10/5/16 Seton Hall W, 4-0

10/19/17 Butler L, 0-3

10/4/18 Georgetown L, 1-7

10/10/19 Butler L, 0-1 (ot)

10/12/23 Seton Hall W, 2-0

Home Sweet Home

Creighton owns a 117-62-28 (.633) all-time record at home since moving into Morrison Stadium prior to the 2003 season. This year the Bluejays are 4-1-1 in home matches with impressive wins over Western Michigan (3-0), previously unbeaten Kansas City (1-0), UConn (2-1) and Providence (1-0) as well as a scoreless shutout over then #19 Saint Louis.

Including this year's win over the Broncos, the Bluejays are now 22-9-5 all-time in home-openers, which includes an 13-5-4 mark during home-openers at Morrison Stadium.

In addition to Creighton owning a 117-62-28 overall record at home, the Bluejays also hold a 55-37-13 mark at Morrison Stadium since joining the BIG EAST in 2013 and a 19-30-5 record during home league matches.

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

Walking into Conference Success

Head coach Jimmy Walker has certainly enjoyed more than his fair share of success in conference play throughout his career. In his 17th season as a head coach, Walker owns a 111-36-13 overall record in conference play, including a 3-3-0 record in the BIG EAST this season.

Walker's three wins in BIG EAST play this year are the most wins in conference play by a first-year head coach at Creighton in program history. Former Bluejay head coach Ross Paule and Bruce Erickson each recorded two conference wins during their first year as a head coach at Creighton, while Ira Philson collected only one during his first season on the Creighton sideline.

Conference Wins by Creighton Head Coach in First Season

HeadCoach Record Year

Jimmy Walker 3-3-0 (BIG EAST) 2024

Ross Paule 2-7-0 (BIG EAST) 2015

Bruce Erickson 2-3-0 (MVC) 1999

Ira Philson 1-4-0 (MVC) 1997

PK Knowledge

Coming at a rarity, Creighton has earned a pair of penalty kicks this season on fouls inside the 18-yard box, including one in the Bluejays 1-0 win over Providence last Sunday afternoon.

Sophomore Anja Jestrovic has been pure on both PK attempts this season, delivering the game-winner in each of the Bluejays 1-0 victories over Kansas City (Sept. 15) and Providence (Oct. 13).

Including postseason shootout PK attempts in 2022, current members of the Bluejays squad are 7-9 on penalty kick attempts.

Creighton - Penalty Kick Conversions

Name '24 '23 '22 '21 Total

Anja Jestrovic 2-2 0-1 - - 2-3

Abigail Santana - - 0-1 1-1 1-2

Ariana Mondiri - - 1-1 - 1-1

Lara Kazandjian - - 1-1 - 1-1

Maddie Radke - - 1-1 - 1-1

Azumi Manriki - - 1-1 - 1-1

Zalac's Keeping it Clean

Junior goalkeeper Alyssa Zalac has been impressive this season, recording five shutouts over the course of the first 12 matches of her Bluejay career.

Her five clean sheets are tied for the fourth most by a Bluejay goalkeeper in their first year with the program. Star netminder Denise Zaver earned a program record 10 shutouts during her first season as a Bluejays back in 1990.

Shutouts by Bluejay Goalkeeper in First Year

Rk. Name Shutouts Year

1. Denise Zaver 10 1990

2. Lori Kwapiszeski 8 1989

3. Erin Scott 6 2015

4. Alyssa Zalac 5 2024

Katie Sullivan 5 2018

Zalac Earns Spot on BIG EAST Honor Roll

Junior goalkeeper Alyssa Zalac earned a spot on the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll for the third time this season after helping guide the Bluejays to a 1-0 shutout over Providence on Oct. 13.

The Montreal, Canada native registered her fifth shutout of the season, collecting six saves as the Bluejays defense held Providence scoreless for the third consecutive match and the sixth time this season.

Zalac has impressed throughout her first season as a Bluejay and currently ranks second in the BIG EAST with five shutouts, 48 saves and 4.00 saves per game, while ranking ninth with a 1.17 goals against average.

Some Loyal Fans

Despite only playing six games inside Morrison Stadium this season, Creighton has attracted 7,381 total fans, a mark that ranks third most in program history.

This year's total trails only the 9,308 fans in attendance during the 2019 season and the 7,603 spectators at home contests during the 2006 season.

If Creighton has more 619 fans in attendance over their final two home contests, it will be the first time in program history that the Jays average more than 1,000 fans per game in a single season.

The Bluejays also currently rank 16th nationally in average home attendance (1,230) and 39th in total home attendance (7,381).

The Bluejay faithful has shown up in a big way this season as Creighton hosted a program record crowd of 3,670 for its annual Socctoberfest match against #19 Saint Louis on Sept. 6.

Below is a list of the largest home single season attendance marks in program history.

Rk. Year Games Total Avg.

1. 2019 10 9,308 931

2. 2006 11 7,603 691

3. 2024 6 7,381 1,230

4. 2009 12 7,371 614

5. 2004 10 7,281 728

6. 2005 10 7,195 720

7. 2023 9 6,473 719

8. 2016 10 6,399 640

9. 2007 10 6,324 632

10. 2017 8 6,166 771

It's Getting Hot In Here

Creighton went 0-2 in its first two BIG EAST matches of the season, falling in shutout fashion to open league play.

The Bluejays, however, have turned it up a notch since then, recording wins in three of their last four contests while scoring a combined five goals.

This season marked the Bluejays' fourth time in the last five seasons and the fifth time since joining the BIG EAST that Creighton has only scored one goal through the first three matches of the conference schedule.

Creighton's six goals allowed through the first six matches this season are the least goals allowed for a Bluejay squad since joining the BIG EAST in 2013. The Bluejays previous low was seven goals allowed through the first six matches during the 2017 BIG EAST season.

The Bluejays have averaged 9.6 goals per conference season (1.05 per match) since joining the league in 2013. The most goals Creighton has scored in BIG EAST play was 18 during the 2016 season.

Creighton Through First Three Matches of BIG EAST Play

Year Goals Scored Goals Allowed

2013 4 (6) 4 (15)

2014 4 (7) 9 (16)

2015 4 (11) 10 (27)

2016 6 (18) 9 (16)

2017 1 (6) 5 (14)

2018 3 (9) 4 (16)

2019 4 (9) 4 (11)

2020 1 (10) 7 (11)

2021 1 (7) 3 (18)

2022 3 (13) 6 (12)

2023 1 (10) 6 (18)

2024 1 (5) 3 (6)

(#) - Indicates final conference goal totals

Scoring First Yields Success

Over the course of the season, Creighton has had tremendous success when scoring the first goal of the match. The Bluejays are 5-2-0 this year when scoring first, but 1-3-0 when the opponent finds the net first. The Bluejays are also 0-0-1 in draws.

Additionally, CU is 3-1-0 when leading at the break, 1-2-0 when trailing at halftime and 2-2-1 when tied at the break.

Last season Creighton finished the season with 2-1-2 record with scoring first, but 2-8-1 when the opponent scores first.

Despite starting this season 2-1-0, Creighton has had incredible success when netting the first goal of the match since joining the BIG EAST in 2013.

Since the start of the 2013 season, the Bluejays own a 66-13-12 record when finding the back of the net first, but a 19-79-8 mark when the opponent scores first and a 0-0-8 in scoreless draws.

Bringing the Physicality

Over the course of the last few years there is one portion of the game that Creighton is not shy to bring, and that is the physicality.

Through 12 matches this season, Creighton has racked up 202 fouls and a total of 25 yellow cards. The Bluejays currently lead the country in fouls per game with 16.83 and is tied for sixth in yellow cards with 25.

Creighton's 25 yellow cards this season are the most in a single season since at least the 2000 season.

In 2023, the Bluejays were called for 11.28 fouls pre match, ranking 33rd in the nation. Creighton was also only booked for a total of 12 yellow cards all of last season.

During the Bluejays' 2-1 win over Iowa State on Aug. 18, Creighton was called for 27 fouls over the course of the match. The Bluejays 27 fouls were its most in a single match since being called for 30 fouls during a match against Illinois State on Nov. 9, 2003.

Year FPG Yellow Cards

2024 16.83 (1st) 25 (6th)

2023 11.28 (33rd) 12 (209th)

2022 9.85 (118th) 9 (278th)

2021 9.17 (169th) 6 (301st)

2020 10.70 (48th) 4 (215th)

2019 11.56 (39th) 17 (41st)

2018 8.94 (171st) 10 (155th)

Scoring Two Works Almost Everytime

It would stand to reason that scoring goals increases a team's chances of winning. For the Bluejays, that is most certainly the case.

Since the program began in 1989, Creighton owns a 275-23-12 all-time record when scoring two or more goals in a match, including a 3-1-0 record this season. On the flip side, the Bluejays are 47-251-52 when being held to fewer than two goals.

Additionally, the Bluejays are 68-8-3 when scoring two or more goals, but 15-84-24 when netting fewer than two goals since joining the BIG EAST in 2013.

Battled Tested Bluejays

Ranked as one of the toughest non-conference schedules in the country, Creighton has had its work cut out for them this season as they have faced a grueling slate.

CU has battled three Power 5 conference opponents this season, while also playing perennial powers in then No. 19 Saint Louis and Georgetown as well as previously unbeaten Kansas City. Combined, the 12 opponents Creighton has played this season are 74-46-39 against opponents that are not Creighton.

Team (RPI Rank, 10/14) W-L-T (10/14) CU's Result

Minnesota (37) 9-3-3 L, 1-2

Iowa State (215) 3-7-5 W, 2-1

Western Michigan (41) 6-1-6 W, 3-0

Nebraska (97) 4-9-1 L, 2-5

Saint Louis (34) 8-1-5 T, 0-0

Kansas City (146) 6-5-3 W, 1-0

Georgetown (22) 8-2-4 L, 0-1

Villanova (156) 4-5-4 L, 0-2

Marquette (173) 4-8-3 W, 1-0

Xavier (21) 12-1-2 L, 1-2

UConn (48) 8-3-3 W, 2-1

Providence (149) 5-7-1 W, 1-0

DePaul (124) 3-5-5 -

Seton Hall (195) 4-7-3 -

Butler (87) 6-4-3 -

St. John's (165) 5-4-5 -

Official RPI Rankings Updated

The fifth official RPI Rankings were released by the NCAA on Monday, Oct. 14. The Bluejays were listed at No. 43 in the initial release on Sept. 16 but fell to as low as on 90 on Sept. 30, before knocking off UConn and Providence to climb to 60 in this week's rankings. Creighton is one of five BIG EAST teams listed inside the top 100 of the RPI rankings.

BIG EAST in the RPI (Oct. 14 edition)

21. Xavier

22. Georgetown

48. UConn

60. Creighton

87. Butler

124. DePaul

149. Providence

156. Villanova

165. St. John's

173. Marquette

195. Seton Hall

Women's Soccer Hosts 10th Annual Pink Out on Sunday vs. Blue Demons

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Stella Downing

Anja Jestrovic

Alyssa Judkins

Lara Kazandjian

Azumi Manriki

Ariana Mondiri

Maddie Radke

Abigail Santana

Alyssa Zalac

Women's Soccer Hosts 10th Annual Pink Out on Sunday vs. Blue Demons

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Stella Downing

Anja Jestrovic

Alyssa Judkins

Lara Kazandjian

Azumi Manriki

Ariana Mondiri

Maddie Radke

Abigail Santana

Alyssa Zalac

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