Creighton University
Villanova
Bluejay Women’s Soccer Continues BIG EAST Play With Matches Against Villanova and Marquette
9/25/2024 9:24:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024 • 6:00 p.m. • Omaha, Neb. • Morrison Stadium
LIVE VIDEO | LIVE STATS | RADIO | CU NOTES (PDF)
Match #9: Creighton Bluejays (3-3-1, 0-1-0 BE) at Marquette Golden Eagles (3-6-2, 0-1-0 BE)
Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024 • 1:00 p.m. • Milwaukee, Wis. • Valley Fields
LIVE VIDEO | LIVE STATS | CU NOTES (PDF)
Up Next
Creighton (3-3-1, 0-1-0 BE) continues BIG EAST play this week with conference matchups against Villanova and Marquette.
The action starts on Thursday, Sept. 26 when Creighton hosts Villanova (3-4-2, 0-0-1 BE) at 6 p.m. inside Morrison Stadium for the Bluejays annual Get Blue Barbecue.
The Bluejays will then travel to battle Marquette (3-6-2, 0-1-0 BE) on Sunday, Sept. 29 at 1 p.m. at Valley Fields in Milwaukee, Wis.
Follow the Match
Thursday and Sunday's matches will feature both live video and live stats.
Live stats will be featured through http://Creighton.StatBroadcast.com for Thursday's match against Villanova, while live stats will be available through sidearm stats on Sunday.
Live video for both contests will be available on FloSports with Donny Baarns on the call for Thursday's match against Villanova.
A subscription is required to view the event on FloSports. More information can be found at GoCreighton.com/FloSports.
Audio from Thursday's will also be simulcast on the radio on 1180 the Zone (KZOT), as well as at http://GoCreighton.com/listen1180.
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 (3-3-1, 0-1-0 BE)
Creighton enters Thursday's match against Villanova with a 3-3-1 overall record and an 0-1-1 mark in the BIG EAST after dropping a 1-0 decision to Georgetown in the BIG EAST opener last weekend.
The Bluejays closed out a rigorous non-conference schedule with a 3-2-1 record, which features a 2-1 win over Iowa State, as well as a pair of shutout victories over Western Michigan and Kansas City and a scoreless draw against then-No. 19 Saint Louis.
Offensively, Creighton's led by senior Azumi Manriki with six points on three goals, while fellow classmate Ariana Mondiri follows closely behind with a pair of scores.
Anja Jestrovic, Tilly Thomas, Marissa LeVine and Kelis Brown have each added in a goal of their own, while fifth-year senior Lara Kazandjian paces the team with a pair of assists.
Junior Alyssa Zalac has been solid in goal for the Bluejays this season, recording a trio of shutouts and 28 saves while spending all 630 minutes in net. Zalac has earned a spot on the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll twice this season, including receiving the honor after collecting her second consecutive shutout and limiting Kansas City to a season-low one shot on goal on Sept. 16.
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 179-98-27 career record.
Scouting Villanova (3-4-2, 0-0-1 BE)
Villanova enters Thursday's match with Creighton sporting a 3-4-2 overall record and a 0-0-1 mark in the BIG EAST.
The Wildcats started the season 3-1-0, owning wins over Temple (4-0), Penn (1-0) and Jacksonville (1-0), but have since dropped three of their last five matches, securing a scoreless draw against Seton Hall in the BIG EAST opener last Sunday.
Junior goalkeeper Hannah Dickinson has guided the Villanova defense throughout this season, limiting opponents to just eight goals through nine matches. She leads the BIG EAST with 37 total saves, while ranking seventh in the league with a 0.91 goals against average.
Offensively, the Wildcats have had just three players find the back of the nets. Freshman Madison Shumate has made an immediate impact, leading the team with three goals and an assist, while senior Susanna Soderman has contributed two goals and a team-high two assists.
Freshman Morgan Kotch has added two goals of her own, while graduate Olivia Neal has also dished out a pair of assists this season.
Villanova was picked to finish ninth in this year's BIG EAST Preseason Coaches' poll as head coach Samar Azem enters her third season at the helm of the Wildcats.
Series History Against The Wildcats
Creighton and Villanova will battle for the 11th time in program history on Thursday night. The Bluejays are 3-2-0 in matches played in Omaha at Morrison Stadium, but are tied in the overall series with Villanova, 5-5-0.
Last season, Villanova jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first half, but Creighton responded with a pair of second half goals from Hannah Luke and Alyssa Judkins to claim a 2-1 win over the Wildcats in Philly.
Although the Bluejays and Wildcats have split each of the last four meetings, Creighton has won three of the last four matches played in Omaha.
Scouting Marquette (3-6-2, 0-1-0 BE)
Marquette is 3-6-2 this season and 0-1-0 in BIG EAST play after falling to Butler (1-0) last Sunday in the league opener. The Golden Eagles started the season 1-5-1 but has since posted results in three of their last four matches in the last two weeks.
Offensively, the Golden Eagles have had eight different players score a total of 13 goals this season. Senior Tess O'Connell leads the way and ranks tied for eighth in the BIG EAST with nine points on a team-high four goals and one assist.
Sophomore Emily Fix and junior Josie Bieda have each added a pair of goals, while sophomore Haley Christianson owns a team-high four assists.
Senior Chloe Olson and sophomore Elise Krone have split time in between the post this this season allowing a combined 18 goals, while grabbing a BIG EAST leading 61 total saves.
Olson has spent 491 minutes in goal this season, owning a 1.47 goals against average with 25 saves, while Elise has recorded a 1.82 goals against average and a BIG EAST-best 36 saves in 495 minutes in between the posts.
Marquette was picked to finish tied for ninth in this year's BIG EAST Preseason Coaches' poll as head coach Chris Allen enters his first season at the helm of the Golden Eagles.
Series History Against The Golden Eagles
Creighton and Marquette have met 16 times previously with the Golden Eagles holding a slim 7-6-3 edge in the all-time series.
Despite Marquette holding a 3-4-1 advantage in matches played in Milwaukee, Wis., the Bluejays have claiming victories in each of the last two meetings in the cheese state.
Last season the Golden Eagles captured a 3-1 win over the Bluejays in Omaha as Hailey Block and Josie Bieda scored three first half goals.
Zalac's Scoreless Streak Ends at 272 Minutes
Junior goalkeeper Alyssa Zalac's scoreless streak came to a close on Sunday, Sept. 22 at 272 minutes (271:30). The Bluejays 272 minutes scoreless streak was the longest scoreless streak since Keelan Terrell established the Creighton record, holding opponents scoreless for 508 consecutive minutes in 2021.
Second Official RPI Rankings Released
The second official RPI Rankings were released by the NCAA on Monday, Sept. 23. The Bluejays were listed at No. 43 in the initial release but fell to 56 after a loss to Georgetown in the BIG EAST opener. Creighton is one of five BIG EAST teams listed inside the top 75 of the RPI rankings.
BIG EAST in the RPI (Sept. 23 edition)
25. Georgetown
30. Xavier
37. UConn
56. Creighton
62. Butler
106. St. John's
149. Villanova
163. Providence
184. Marquette
190. DePaul
222. Seton Hall
Home Sweet Home
Creighton is 2-0-1 this season in home matches, including a 3-0 win over Western Michigan, a scoreless draw against #19 Saint Louis and a 1-0 shutout win over Kansas City. With this season's results Creighton now owns a 115-61-28 (.632) 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 115-61-28 overall record at home, the Bluejays also hold a 53-36-13 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
Scoring First Yields Success
Through seven matches this season, Creighton is 2-1-0 when scoring first, but also 1-2-0 when the opponent scores first. The Bluejays are also 0-0-1 in draws. Additionally, CU is 1-1-0 when leading at the break, 1-1-0 when trailing at halftime and 1-1-1 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 63-12-12 record when finding the back of the net first, but a 19-78-8 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 seven matches this season, Creighton has racked up 126 fouls and a total of 20 yellow cards. The Bluejays currently lead the country in fouls per game with 18.00 and in yellow cards with 20.
Creighton's 20 yellow cards this season are the most in a singles season since the Bluejays were issued 21 yellow cards during the 2005 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 18.00 (1st) 20 (1st)
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 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 46-249-52 when being held to fewer than two goals.
Additionally, the Bluejays are 67-8-3 when scoring two or more goals, but 14-82-24 when netting fewer than two goals since joining the BIG EAST in 2013.
Bluejays Rank Among Top in Attendance
Despire Creighton only playing three games at home this season, the Bluejays currently rank eighth nationally in average home attendance (1,765) and 24th in total home attendance (5,296).
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 on Sept. 6.
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 5 25,033 5,007
2. BYU 5 18,167 3,633
3. North Carolina 6 15,187 2,531
4. Texas A&M 5 12,377 2,475
5. Michigan State 7 13,918 1,988
6. Arkansas 7 13,890 1,984
7. Tennessee 6 10,867 1,811
8. Creighton 3 5,296 1,765
9. Stanford 3 5,145 1,715
10. Saint Louis 5 6,777 1,694
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 on Sept. 6.
It also marked the seventh highest attended game at the time 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
