Women's Soccer Closes Out Non-Conference Play Against Kansas City On Sunday

Match #6: Kansas City Roos (5-0-3) at Creighton Bluejays (2-2-1)
Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024 • 1:00 p.m. CT • Omaha, Neb. • Morrison Stadium • Senior Day
LIVE VIDEO | LIVE STATS | CU NOTES (PDF)

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Creighton (2-2-1) closes out non-conference play with a home match against Kansas City on Sunday, Sept. 15 at 1 p.m. The Bluejays will honor their senior class as part of their senior day festivities prior to the match.

Follow the Match

Sunday's match will feature both live video and live stats. Fans can watch all the action on FloSports with Jon Schriner and Avarie Howard on the call, while live stats will be featured through statbroadcast at http://Creighton.StatBroadcast.com.

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 (2-2-1)

The Bluejays enter Sunday's match with a 2-2-1 overall record, after posting a scoreless draw against then No. 19 Saint Louis last Friday.

Creighton has recorded wins over Iowa State (2-1, Aug. 18) and Western Michigan (3-0, Aug. 29) this season but have suffered a pair of setbacks on the road at Minnesota and Nebraska.

Senior Azumi Manriki continues to pace the Bluejays with six points on three goals, while fellow classmate Ariana Mondiri follows closely behind with a pair of scores.

Sophomore Tilly Thomas has added a goal of her own, while senior Marissa LeVine and junior Kelis Brown each netted their first career goals last week at Nebraska.

Junior Alyssa Zalac has been solid in goal for the Bluejays this season, recording a pair of shutouts and 20 saves while spending all 450 minutes in net. Last week Zalac earned a spot on the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll after collecting her first career shutout against Western Michigan.

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 Stella 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 178-97-27 career record.

Scouting Kansas City (5-0-3)

Off to its best starts in program history, Kansas City enters Sunday's contest with a 5-0-3 overall record and are coming off impressive wins over UIC (1-0) and Tulas (2-1).

Riley Moore and Maddie Sibbing have played critical roles for Kansas City in goal this season, posting six shutouts while allowing just two total goals.

Moore has logged the most minutes in goals (450), recording a 0.20 Goals against average with five total saves, while Sibbings has collected a team-high 12 saves and owns a 0.38 goals against average.

Offensively, Madison Page paces the team with seven points on a team-high three goals and one assist. Adriana Benassi has added two goals of her own, while Lily Hollis has contributed one goal and a team-high tying three assists.

The Roos were picked to finish sixth this year's Summit League Preseason Coaches' poll with head coach Jessica Smith in her fifth season at the helm.

Series History Against Roos

Creighton and Kansas City have faced off 13 times previously, with the Bluejays holding an 7-3-3 edge in the series.

The two squads last met in 2022 with the Bluejays coming out on top, 2-1. In the win, senior Alyssa Judkins delivered the game-winning goal in the 72nd minute to securing the home-opening win for the Jays.

The Bluejays are 3-1-3 all-time against Kansas City in matches played at Morrison Stadium. Head coach Jimmy Walker has never faced Kansas City in his career.

Creighton to Honor Senior Class

Creighton will honor five seniors prior to Sunday's match against Kansas City as part of its senior day festivities.

This year the Bluejays will recognize Greta Betz, Stella Downing, Alyssa Judkins, Marissa Levine and Azumi Manriki. In total, this group has combined for 21 victories over the past four-years, while helping guide the Bluejays to a BIG EAST Semifinals appearance in 2022.

Creighton Success Against The Summit

Although Creighton did play three exhibition matches against Summit League opponents this preseason, Sunday's match against Kansas City will be the Bluejays first match against a Summit League opponent of the regular season.

Creighton has now battled at least one current member of the Summit League in 19 of the last 20 seasons. The only season the Bluejays did not match-up against a Summit League opponent was during the 2020 Covid-19 season.

Creighton currently owns a 58-11-8 all-time record against current members of the Summit League, which includes a 2-0 record from last season.

Team Overall Record Against

Denver 4-1-0

Kansas City 7-3-3

North Dakota 5-0-0

North Dakota State 5-2-1

Omaha 9-1-0

Oral Roberts 3-1-1

St. Thomas Have not met

South Dakota 11-1-1

South Dakota State 14-2-2

Bluejays Rank Among Top in Attendance

Despire Creighton only playing two games at home this season, the Bluejays currently rank fifth nationally in average home attendance (2,390) and 20th in total home attendance (4,780).

The Bluejay faithful has shown up in a big way this season, with Creighton hosting a program record crowd of 3,670 for its annual Socctoberfest match against #19 Saint Louis last Friday.

Below is a list of the average attendance leaders during the 2024 season (as of Sept. 10).

Rk. Team Games Total Avg

1. South Carolina 3 17,850 5,950

2. BYU 3 9,996 3,332

3. Texas A&M 4 10,345 2,586

4. North Carolina 5 12,245 2,449

5. Creighton 2 4,780 2,390

6. Saint Louis 3 6,265 2,088

7. Michigan State 6 12,105 2,018

8. Arkansas 5 9,721 1,944

9. Stanford 3 5,145 1,715

10. NC State 3 5,111 1,704

Largest Crowds in Bluejay History

Hosting the Bluejays 10th annual Socctoberfest celebration, Creighton drew a crowd of 3,670, which was the largest single-game attendance in program history.

It also marked the seventh highest attended game this fall across all Division I Women's Soccer.

Three of the top-11 largest crowds have been during Socctoberfest matches. The 2016 Socctoberfest match against South Dakota was the largest attended Socctoberfest match before last the Jays attracted 3,670 fans last Friday night.

In addition, eight of the top-12 largest crowds have come since the Bluejays made the move to the BIG EAST in 2013, including opening last season with the third largest crowd in program history (1,834, vs. Nebraska)

During the 2023 season, Creighton ranked second in the BIG EAST and 69th nationally in average home attendance with an average of 719 fans per home match.

Top-12 Creighton Women's Soccer Home Crowds

*1. 3,670 vs. #19 Saint Louis, Sept. 6, 2024 (T, 0-0)

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

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

4. 1,834 vs. Nebraska, Aug. 17, 2023 (T, 2-2)

5. 1,678 vs. Nebraska-Omaha, Sept. 20, 2013 (W, 3-2)

6. 1,547 vs. Iowa, Sept. 21, 2007 (L, 0-1)

*7. 1,444 vs. South Dakota, Sept. 9, 2016 (W, 2-1)

8. 1,413 vs. South Dakota State, Sept. 15, 2023 (W, 1-0)

9. 1,289 vs. Northern Iowa, Sept. 23, 2011 (W, 1-0)

10. 1,277 vs. Arizona State, Sept. 18, 2009 (L, 1-2)

11. 1,251 vs. Kansas, Sept. 29, 2006 (W, 1-0)

*12. 1,248 vs. South Dakota, Sept. 7, 2018 (W, 2-1 OT)

* - Socctoberfest Matches

Socctoberfest Success

Creighton continued its success during the Bluejays 10th annual socctoberfest, moving to 6-1-3 all-time following a scoreless draw against #19 Saint Louis last Friday night.

Friday's match against Saint Louis marks Creighton Women's Soccer 10th Annual Socctoberfest event, although it is the 12th Creighton Socctoberfest event.

Creighton has posted six wins over New Mexico State, Omaha, South Dakota, Iowa State and Colorado College during Socctoberfest matches, outscoring the opposition 19-6 in those contests.

The Bluejays first Socctoberfest victory came on Sept. 5, 2014, when Creighton defeated New Mexico State, 6-0. The Bluejays battled Minnesota to a 0-0 scoreless draw last season during Socctoberfest at Morrison Stadium.

The Bluejay women's squad did not play during the 2013 or 2021 Socctoberfest due to schedule issues.

Bluejay Women's Soccer at Socctoberfest (6-1-3)

Date Opponent Result Atten.

10/20/12 Evansville L, 0-1 557

9/5/14 New Mexico State W, 6-0 509

9/4/15 Omaha W, 4-0 1058

9/9/16 South Dakota W, 2-1 1444

9/8/17 Kansas City T, 2-2 958

9/6/18 South Dakota W, 2-1 (ot) 1248

9/6/19 Iowa State W, 1-0 1246

9/9/22 Colorado College W, 2-1 896

9/8/23 Minnesota T, 0-0 1072

9/6/24 #19 Saint Louis T, 0-0 3,670

Bluejays All-Time vs. Top 25 Competition

Battling #19 Saint Louis to a scoreless draw on Friday, Sept. 6, Creighton posted its first result over a non-conference top-25 opponents since 1994, when the Bluejays recorded a 1-0 win over #12 Wisconsin for its lone top-25 victory.

Including setbacks to #17 Georgetown (1-0) and #20 Xavier (1-0) last season and the scoreless draw against #19 Saint Louis on Sept. 6, the Bluejays have faced a ranked opposition 27 times and hold a 1-21-5 overall record. Head coach Jimmy Walker also moved to 0-5-3 all-time against ranked opponents at the Division I level, with seven matches taking place while at Bowling Green State.

Date Opponent Result

10/27/90 at #20 Central Florida T, 1-1 (ot)

9/28/91 #1 North Carolina L, 1-9

10/2/92 #1 North Carolina L, 0-4

9/3/94 #12 Wisconsin W, 1-0

10/30/94 #7 at Cincinnati L, 4-5 (ot)

11/15/02 % at #6 Santa Clara L, 1-5

11/12/04 % at #8 Kansas L, 1-3

8/26/05 #25 Wisconsin L, 0-2

11/16/07 % vs. #9 USC L, 0-3

9/2/11 #5 Oklahoma State L, 0-1

8/26/12 at #4 Oklahoma State L, 1-4

10/20/13 * at #15 Georgetown L, 0-4

10/11/14 * at #13 DePaul L, 0-2

10/19/14 * #25 Georgetown L, 0-1

10/28/16 * #10 Georgetown L, 0-3

10/5/17 * at #12 Georgetown T, 1-1 (2ot)

10/19/17 * #22 Butler L, 0-3

9/14/18 #20 Oklahoma State L, 0-2

10/4/18 * #5 Georgetown L, 1-7

10/13/19 * at #10 Georgetown T, 2-2 (2ot)

4/16/21 & vs. #10 Georgetown L, 1-2 (ot)

9/23/21 * #25 Georgetown T, 1-1 (2ot)

9/25/22 * at #23 Georgetown L, 0-4

11/3/22 & vs. 18 Georgetown L, 0-1

9/24/23 * #17 Georgetown L, 0-1

10/22/23 * #20 Xavier L, 0-1

9/6/24 #19 Saint Louis T, 0-0

* BIG EAST regular-season match

& BIG EAST Tournament match

% NCAA Tournament

Home matches in bold

Home Sweet Home

Creighton is 1-0-1 this season in home matches, including a 3-0 win over Western Michigan and a scoreless draw against #19 Saint Louis. With this season's results Creighton now owns a 114-61-28 (.631) all-time record at Morrison Stadium.

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 114-61-28 overall record at home, the Bluejays also hold a 52-36-13 mark at Morrison Stadium since joining the BIG EAST in 2013 and a 17-29-5 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

Azumi Scoring at a Fast Pace

Senior Azumi Manriki has been nothing short of fantastic through the first four matches of the season. The Hiroshima, Japan native paces the Bluejays with three goals this season, scoring in each of the Jays first three matches.

Manriki became the first Bluejay since Toch Ihemelu in 2006 to score in each of the first three matches of a season.

In Manriki's three seasons with the Bluejays, she has scored seven goals, including a pair of game-winners against Villanova (10/9/22) and Iowa State (8/18/24).

Scoring First Yields Success

Through the first five matches of the season, Creighton is 1-1-0 when scoring first, but also 1-1-0 when the opponent scores first. They Bluejays are also 0-0-1 in scoreless draws. Additionally, CU is 1-1-0 when leading at the break, 1-1-0 when trailing at halftime and 0-0-1 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 1-1-0 this season, 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 62-12-12 record when finding the back of the net first, but a 19-77-8 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 the first five matches this season, Creighton has racked up 95 fouls and a total of 14 yellow cards. The Bluejays 19.00 fouls per game currently leads the country, while the 14 yellows are tied for the most nationally.

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 Fouls Per Game National Rank

2024 19.00 1st

2023 11.28 33rd

2022 9.85 118th

2021 9.17 169th

2020 10.70 48th

2019 11.56 39th

2018 8.94 171st

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 274-23-12 all-time record when scoring two or more goals in a match, including a 2-1-0 record this season. On the flip side, the Bluejays are 46-248-52 when being held to fewer than two goals.

Additionally, the Bluejays are 67-8-3 when scoring two or more goals, but 14-81-24 when netting fewer than two goals since joining the BIG EAST in 2013.

Battled Tested Bluejays

Ranked as one of the toughest schedules in the country, Creighton has its work cut out for them this season as they face a grueling slate.

CU opened the season with a pair of matches against Power 5 opponents in Minnesota and Iowa State, before battling Western Michigan, Nebraska and then No. 19 Saint Louis in the recent weeks. Combined, the five opponents Creighton has played this season are 17-7-7 against opponents that are not Creighton.

With a 2-2-1 record this season, Creighton still has a tough road to navigate as their future opponents have a combined record of 41-26-15 through four weeks of play.

Team (2023 RPI Rank) W-L-T (9/13) CU's Result

Minnesota (83) 6-0-1 L, 1-2

Iowa State (168) 3-3-2 W, 2-1

Western Michigan (87) 3-1-2 W, 3-0

Nebraska (20) 3-4-0 L, 2-5

Saint Louis (10) 4-1-3 T, 0-0

Kansas City (237) 5-0-3 -

Georgetown (12) 3-1-3 -

Villanova (205) 3-4-0 -

Marquette (131) 2-5-1 -

Xavier (27) 7-1-1 -

UConn (49) 5-1-1 -

Providence (54) 3-3-1 -

DePaul (147) 2-4-1 -

Seton Hall (166) 3-4-1 -

Butler (118) 4-2-1 -

St. John's (65) 4-1-2 -

Women's Soccer Closes Out Non-Conference Play Against Kansas City On Sunday

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Greta Betz

Kelis Brown

Stella Downing

Alyssa Judkins

Lara Kazandjian

Marissa LeVine

Azumi Manriki

Ariana Mondiri

Maddie Radke

Tilly Thomas

Alyssa Zalac

Women's Soccer Closes Out Non-Conference Play Against Kansas City On Sunday

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Greta Betz

Kelis Brown

Stella Downing

Alyssa Judkins

Lara Kazandjian

Marissa LeVine

Azumi Manriki

Ariana Mondiri

Maddie Radke

Tilly Thomas

Alyssa Zalac

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