Photo by: Justin Kreutzian
Women’s Soccer Falls to Villanova, 2-0
9/26/2024 9:03:00 PM | Women's Soccer
OMAHA, Neb. – The Creighton women's soccer team suffered a 2-0 loss to Villanova in the Bluejays BIG EAST home opener on Thursday, Sept. 26 inside Morrison Stadium.
The loss dropped the Bluejays to 3-4-1 overall and 0-2-0 in BIG EAST play, while the Wildcats moved to 4-4-2 on the season and 1-0-1 in league action.
Villanova took a 1-0 lead in the 16th minute when Lauren Belcuore found the back of the net for the first time this season. Set into motion by a shot off the right post by Susanna Soderman, Belcuore raced in and recovered a loose ball on the goal line, rifling a shot into the top right corner of the goal to give the Wildcats a 1-0 advantage.
Holding possession for nearly 60 percent of the half, Creighton looked to find an equalizer right before the break. Senior Azumi Manriki delivered a forward pass to sophomore Mallory Connealy, who was unable to connect from just outside the box due to a running save from Wildcat goalkeeper, Hannah Dickinson.
Despite trailing 1-0, Creighton held a 7-4 advantage in shots and a 2-0 edge in corners created during the opening 45 minutes of play.
Coming out of the locker rooms, Creighton continued to increase its offensive pressure, firing a pair of shots on goal in the first 15 minutes of the second half.
After containing Creighton's early offensive push, Villanova countered with a defensive stop on a blocked clearance along the Bluejays back line, drawing a foul in the box to earn a penalty kick in the 68th minute. Sophomore Gabby Koluch stepped up to the dot and drove the ball into the top right corner of the net to extend the Wildcats lead out to 2-0.
Creighton recorded it most dangerous scoring chance of the match during the 74th minute of play as Manriki fired a bullet towards the bottom left corner of the goal, before a diving save from Dickinson nudged the shot just past the left post to keep the Bluejays off the scoreboard.
Less than five minutes later, the Bluejays were called for a second foul in the box, giving Villanova a chance to push their advantage out to 3-0. Creighton Goalkeeper Alyssa Zalac, however, made an incredible diving save to keep the Wildcats off the scoreboard for a third time.
Holding possession for 57 percent of the contest, Creighton finished the match with a 15-9 edge in shots and a 7-0 advantage in corner kicks created. Despite the setback, Zalac grabbed five total save in goal for the Bluejays.
Creighton returns to action on Sunday, Sept. 29 when they travel to battle Marquette at 1 p.m. in Milwaukee, Wis.
The loss dropped the Bluejays to 3-4-1 overall and 0-2-0 in BIG EAST play, while the Wildcats moved to 4-4-2 on the season and 1-0-1 in league action.
Villanova took a 1-0 lead in the 16th minute when Lauren Belcuore found the back of the net for the first time this season. Set into motion by a shot off the right post by Susanna Soderman, Belcuore raced in and recovered a loose ball on the goal line, rifling a shot into the top right corner of the goal to give the Wildcats a 1-0 advantage.
Holding possession for nearly 60 percent of the half, Creighton looked to find an equalizer right before the break. Senior Azumi Manriki delivered a forward pass to sophomore Mallory Connealy, who was unable to connect from just outside the box due to a running save from Wildcat goalkeeper, Hannah Dickinson.
Despite trailing 1-0, Creighton held a 7-4 advantage in shots and a 2-0 edge in corners created during the opening 45 minutes of play.
Coming out of the locker rooms, Creighton continued to increase its offensive pressure, firing a pair of shots on goal in the first 15 minutes of the second half.
After containing Creighton's early offensive push, Villanova countered with a defensive stop on a blocked clearance along the Bluejays back line, drawing a foul in the box to earn a penalty kick in the 68th minute. Sophomore Gabby Koluch stepped up to the dot and drove the ball into the top right corner of the net to extend the Wildcats lead out to 2-0.
Creighton recorded it most dangerous scoring chance of the match during the 74th minute of play as Manriki fired a bullet towards the bottom left corner of the goal, before a diving save from Dickinson nudged the shot just past the left post to keep the Bluejays off the scoreboard.
Less than five minutes later, the Bluejays were called for a second foul in the box, giving Villanova a chance to push their advantage out to 3-0. Creighton Goalkeeper Alyssa Zalac, however, made an incredible diving save to keep the Wildcats off the scoreboard for a third time.
Holding possession for 57 percent of the contest, Creighton finished the match with a 15-9 edge in shots and a 7-0 advantage in corner kicks created. Despite the setback, Zalac grabbed five total save in goal for the Bluejays.
Creighton returns to action on Sunday, Sept. 29 when they travel to battle Marquette at 1 p.m. in Milwaukee, Wis.
Team Stats
VUW
CUW
Goals
2
0
Shots
9
15
Shots on Goal
7
8
Saves
8
5
Corners
0
7
Fouls
6
13
Scoring Plays

Lauren Belcuore (1)
Assisted By: Susanna Soderman
GOAL by VUW Belcuore, Lauren Assist by Soderman, Susanna.
15:25

Gabby Koluch
VUW Gabby Koluch PENALTY KICK GOAL.
67:02
Game Leaders
Players
Players Mentioned
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