Creighton University
Oklahoma
Women’s Soccer Opens 2025 Campaign With Road Trip To Oklahoma and Kansas City
8/12/2025 3:13:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Thursday, August 14, 2025 • 7 p.m. • Norman, Okla. • John Crain Field
LIVE VIDEO | LIVE STATS | CU NOTES (PDF)
Game #2: Creighton Bluejays (0-0-0) at Kansas City Roos (0-0-0)
Sunday, August 17, 2025 • 1 p.m. • Kansas City, Mo. • Durwood Soccer Stadium
LIVE VIDEO | LIVE STATS | CU NOTES (PDF)
Up Next
Creighton women's soccer opens year two with Jimmy Walker on The Hilltop as the Bluejays begin a rigorous non-conference schedule on the road with a pair of matches this weekend.
CU opens the regular season at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 14 at Oklahoma, before taking on Kansas City at Durwood Soccer Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. on Sunday, Aug. 17 at 1 p.m.
Follow the Match
Thursday's match will be broadcasted live on SECN Network+ with Chad McKee and Nick McMillian on the call, while live stats will be available through Statbroadcast.
Sunday's match at Kansas City will be streamed live on Midco Sports+ with live stats available through Sidearm Stats.
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 (0-0-0)
Coming off the program's most successful season in over a decade, the expectations are higher than ever as the 2025 Creighton Bluejays enter the second season under head coach Jimmy Walker.
The Bluejays return eight players who started at least four matches from last season's 8-7-2 squad that finished fourth in the BIG EAST and hosted a postseason match for the first time since joining the league in 2013.
It is with that foundation set and 13 letterwinners returning, that the 2025 version of Creighton women's soccer aims to become the first to reach the NCAA postseason since 2010.
Spearheading the returners are graduate students Ariana Mondiri and Abigail Santana, as well as senior Ella Offer and junior Savanna Solomon.
Mondiri, Creighton's only returning All-BIG EAST selection, is back to guide the offensive attack for the Bluejays this season after netting a team-high five goals and contributing an assist a season ago.
Meanwhile, Santana is looking to make a strong return to the pitch after missing the entire 2024 season with an injury. The sixth-year senior has contributed in the past, netting 14 goals and dishing out eight assists in her career.
Other candidates to contribute along the Bluejays' front line include transfers Brynn Garnder (Bowling Green), Tori Gillis (LSU) and Olivia Duray (Pittsburgh), as well as incoming freshman Jalen Chaney.
Defensively, Offer and Solomon will anchor the defensive unit for the Bluejays after logging more than 2,600 minutes of action last season. Juniors Clara Kulick and Reese Carpenter are another
pair of defensive forces that are expected to take a step forward into a larger role this fall.
Senior Alyssa Zalac is once again expected to take the reigns in goal in her second season as the starting goalkeeper. The Montreal, Canada native impressed during her first season as a Bluejay, starting all 17 matches and posting five shutouts with a 1.24 goals against average.
Creighton was picked to finish fifth in the BIG EAST Preseason Coaches' poll as Jimmy Walker enters his 18th season with a 184-102-28 career record.
Scouting Oklahoma (0-0-0)
Oklahoma went 10-7-1 last season, finishing the year with a 3-6-1 record in SEC play and a 6-3-1 mark at home.
The Sooners only return seven players who played during the 2024 season and 10 total players from a season ago, while welcoming in 18 newcomers to this year's roster.
Among the top returns are Hadley Murrell, Alexis Washington and Juliette Rayo, as well as starting goalkeeper Caroline Duffy.
Murrell started all 18 matches, netting four goals and dishing out four assists, while Washington scored three goals and passed out four assists for the Sooners in 2024. Additionally, Rayo contributed three goals and two assists in 18 matches last season.
Duffy will anchors the Sooners in goal once again this season after snaring 67 saves and recording a 1.18 goals against average with four shutouts, while Cassie Clifton dished out three assists in 1,574 minutes along OU's backline.
Head Coach Matt Mott is in his third season at the helm and owns a 18-17-3 overall record at Oklahoma.
Series History Against The Sooners
Creighton is 2-0-0 all-time against Oklahoma, beating the Sooners, 4-0, in the first meeting back on Aug. 31, 1996, and 3-1 in the most recent match on Sept. 15, 2019. Both of those matches took place in Omaha.
In the 2019 meeting, Creighton senior Taryn Jakubowski netted a pair of goals, while freshman Skylar Heinrich scored a goal and dished out an assist in the victory.
Jimmy Walker has never faced Oklahoma as a head coach but is 0-0-1 against Matt Mott.
Scouting Kansas City (0-0-0)
Kansas City went just 7-8-3 last season, after opening the year with a program record eight-match unbeaten streak before falling to Creighton in Omaha.
The Roos scored 22 goals a season ago but only return two goals to this year's squad. Sophomore's Emery Ruliffson and Kinsley Smith lead the way after earning Summit League All-Newcomer Team honors a season ago.
Ruliffson ranked second on the team with 1,496 minutes played and four assists, while Smith dished out one assists in 1,421 minutes along the Roos backline.
Kansas City will likely turn to junior Audrey Brown or Missouri State transfer Hayes Fitzgerald to anchor the Roos in goal, following the departure of Maddie Sibbing and Riley Moore from last spring.
The Roos were picked to finish ninth in the Summit League Preseason Coaches' poll, while Jessica Smith enters her sixth season with a 22-51-17 overall record at the helm.
Series History Against The Roos
Creighton and Kansas City have faced off 14 times previously with the Bluejays holding an 8-3-3 edge in the all-time series.
The Jays have won the last four meetings in the series, after picking up a 1-0 victory in Omaha last season. In the win, Anja Jestrovic delivered the game-winner, converting on a penalty kick in the 63rd minute.
The Bluejays are 4-2-0 all-time against the Roos in matches played in Kansas City, while Jimmy Walker is 1-0-0 against Kansas City as a head coach.
Season-Opener History
Creighton is 17-15-4 in season-opening matches, following a 2-1 loss at Minnesota last season in the Twin Cities.
Since joining the BIG EAST in 2013, Creighton is 5-5-2 in season-openers, including an 0-1-0 mark under head coach Jimmy Walker.
The Bluejays, however, have outscored foes by an average of 1.50 (54 Goals) to 1.36 (49 Goals) goals per game in the Jays' 36 season-openers.
Jimmy Walker is 8-8-1 all-time in season-openers, including a 3-5-1 mark at the Division I level.
Date School Opponent Result
9/10/97 Tiffin at Ashland L, 0-4
8/29/98 Tiffin Houghton College L, 0-8
9/2/99 Tiffin Trine W, 8-0
8/30/00 Tiffin Saginaw Valley W, 2-1 (ot)
8/28/01 Tiffin at Notre Dame College W, 8-0
9/7/02 Tiffin at Milligan L, 2-4
8/29/03 Duquesne vs. Howard W, 2-1
8/27/04 Duquesne at Bowling Green L, 3-7
8/28/05 Duquesne vs. Jacksonville W, 5-2
8/25/06 Duquesne at Vermont T, 1-1
8/30/18 Findlay Urbana W, 1-0
9/8/19 Findlay Northwood W, 2-1
3/4/21 BGSU at Akron W, 3-0
8/19/21 BGSU at Notre Dame L, 1-3
8/18/22 BGSU Michigan State L, 0-2
8/20/23 BGSU at #17 Michigan State L, 1-3
8/15/24 CU at Minnesota L, 1-2
Bluejay History in First Road Match of Season
Creighton hits the road for the first time this season on Thursday, Aug. 14, for a battle at Oklahoma.
The Bluejays have not had the greatest success in its first road match of the season, owning a 14-19-2 mark all-time in road openers.
Of note, the Bluejays have not won its road opener since posting a 2-1 win at Kansas City in 2019 and has not won a season opener on the road since downing South Dakota State, 3-2, in 2014.
Creighton Success Against The Summit
Creighton opens the season at Oklahoma on Thursday, but will stay on the road and battle Kansas City on Sunday afternoon. Sunday's match against the Roos will be the Bluejays first of three regular season matches against Summit League opponents.
Creighton has battled at least one current member of the Summit League in 20 of the last 21 seasons. The only season the Bluejays did not match-up against a Summit League opponent was during the 2020 Covid-19 shorten season.
Creighton currently owns a 59-11-8 all-time record against current members of the Summit League, which includes a 1-0 win over Kansas City last season.
Team Overall Record
Denver 4-1-0
Kansas City 8-3-3
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
Scoring First Yields Success
Last season Creighton had tremendous success when scoring the first goal of the match. The Bluejays went 7-2-1 when scoring first, but 1-5-0 when the opponent found the back of the net first. The Bluejays were also 0-0-1 in scoreless draws.
Additionally, CU was 4-1-1 when leading at the break, 1-3-0 when trailing at halftime and 3-3-1 when tied at the break in 2024.
Since joining the BIG EAST in 2013, Creighton has had incredible success when netting the first goal of the match. In the first 12 years in the league, the Bluejays are 68-13-13 when finding the back of the net first, but 19-81-8 when the opponent scores first and 0-0-8 in scoreless draws.
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 277-23-13 all-time record when scoring two or more goals in a match, including a 5-1-1 record last season On the flip side, the Bluejays are 47-253-52 when being held to fewer than two goals.
Additionally, the Bluejays are 70-8-4 when scoring two or more goals and 15-86-24 when netting fewer than two goals since joining the BIG EAST in 2013.
Production Returns
Creighton returns eight players who started four or more matches from last fall's team that finished 8-7-2 and finished fourth in the BIG EASTwith a 5-4-1 league record.
All told, CU returns 51.9 percent of its starts, 53.8 percent of its minutes, 38.1 percent of its goals, 43.8 percent of its assists, 39.7 percent of its points, 35.7 percent of its shots and 100 percent of its saves off of last year's squad.
Below is a breakdown of the production that is back:
Stat Returners Departures
Starts 97 (51.9%) 90 (48.1%)
Minutes 9,056 (53.8%) 7,774 (46.2%)
Goals 8 (38.1%) 13 (61.9%)
Assists 7 (43.8%) 9 (56.2%)
Points 23 (39.7%) 35 (60.3%)
Shots 66 (35.7%) 119 (64.3%)
Saves 61 (100%) 0 (0.0%)
Some Fab Freshmen
Creighton has started 24 different true freshmen in its season opener since joining the BIG EAST in 2013.
Since joining the league prior to the 2013 season, the only true freshmen to start CU's season-opener have been Emily Roll (2013), Ylenia Sachau (2013), Danielle Rice (2013), McKynzie Dickman (2014), Emma Braasch (2015), Erin Scott (2015), Taryn Jakubowski (2016), Caeley Lordemann (2016), Jaylin Bosak (2016), Keelie Fothergill (2017), Ansley Atkinson (2018), Michaela Weist (2018), Aline Reinkober (2018), Skylar Heinrich (2019), Lea Høiness (2019), Daphne Nierop (2019), Anna Grassinger (2019), Abigail Santana (2020), Peighton Steffen (2020), Nicole Tiller (2020), Maddie Radke (2020), Greta Betz (2021), Shani Sirota (2023) and Maia Sirota (2023) with Rice and Scott the only freshmen to start at goalkeeper in the season-opener.
Four of those women (Jakubowski, Atkinson, Heinrich and Radke) went on to land a spot on the BIG EAST's All-Freshman Team, with Heinrich claimed Second Team All-BIG EAST in 2019.
Bluejay Defense is the Key
Finishing last season with an 8-7-2 overall record, there was one pattern that had developed for the Bluejays over the course of the season.
When Creighton's defense held its opponents to one goal or less the Bluejays were 8-2-1 with five shutouts, but if the defense allowed two goals or more goals, CU went 0-5-1.
Since joining the BIG EAST in 2013, Creighton owns an impressive 75-24-24 record when holding its opponents to one goal or less, collecting 52 shutouts in the process. CU, however, is 12-70-5 when allowing two or more goals in a match.
Creighton's Record When Allowing...
Year 1 or less goals 2 or more goals
2013 7-1-1 2-7-0
2014 8-2-2 2-4-0
2015 8-1-0 2-9-0
2016 6-1-2 3-5-0
2017 4-3-2 0-8-1
2018 6-1-1 0-9-0
2019 6-4-2 2-3-1
2020 4-2-0 0-4-0
2021 7-4-2 0-6-0
2022 8-1-8 0-3-0
2023 3-2-3 1-7-2
2024 8-2-1 0-5-1
Totals 75-24-24 12-70-5
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.
In 17 matches last season, Creighton's racked up 258 fouls, leading the country with 15.18 fouls per match. In addition, the Bluejays were cautioned with 29 yellow cards, tied for the 12th most nationally.
Creighton's 29 yellow cards last season were the most in a single season since at least the 2000 season. Just four years ago, the Bluejays were booked for six yellow cards,, ranking 301st out of 335 teams in Division I.
During the Bluejays' 2-1 win over Iowa State last fall, 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 15.18 (1st) 29 (T-12th)
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)
The Gauntlet
Head Coach Jimmy Walker has once again put together an ambitious schedule with his non-conference slate ranking amongst the toughest in the country. The Bluejays open the 2025 season on the road at Oklahoma and Kansas City before returning home for the second annual "Tea Cup" match against Iowa State.
A match at Western Michigan predates a monster matchup against 2024 national semifinalist Duke in Durham, before home contests against Arkansas, Omaha and South Dakota close out non-conference play.
In total, the Bluejays will play eight regular-season matches at home, including conference contests against league frontrunners Georgetown and Xavier.
Leading the Ship
Seniors Ella Offer and Abigail Santana, as well as junior Savanna Solomon were chosen by the players as captains for the 2025 season.
Santana was voted as a captain for the third straight season, while Offer and Solomon are each earning the honor for the first time in their Bluejay careers.
Coast to Coast
Creighton travels land and sea to finds players from all over the globe to come to Omaha, Nebraska to play soccer and this year's roster features a more robust team with players from 13 different US states.
Creighton head coach Jimmy Walker has gathered a group of six players from four different international countries, while the remaining 22 players hail from the United States.
Colorado (1): Clara Kulick
Illinois (2): Addison Dea, Olivia Duray
Kansas (2): Kendal Radke, Addie Wilkie
Michigan (1): Ella Offer
Minnesota (1): Sarah Hyde
Nebraska (4): Anna Bragg, Mallory Connealy, Kennedy Moore, Savanna Solomon
New Hampshire (1): Kailey Hall
Ohio (3): Reese Carpenter, Brynn Gardner, Whitney Scott
Tennessee (1): Josie Holt
Texas (3): Jalen Chaney, Abigail Santana, Allison Williams
Virginia (1): Tori Gillis
Washington (1): Olivia Sides
Wisconsin (1): Ella Luna
International (6):
Canada (3): Madison London, Tejia Murray-Powell, Alyssa Zalac
France (1): Ariana Mondiri
England (1): Millie Thistleton
Puerto Rico (1): Jess Torres
Creighton Picked Seventh In BIG EAST Preseason Poll
Building upon its best finish in the BIG EAST last season, the Creighton women's soccer team was picked to finish fifth in the 2025 BIG EAST Preseason Coaches' poll on Tuesday, Aug. 12.
Creighton's preseason prognosis of fifth place matches its highest preseason pick since joining the BIG EAST prior to the 2013 season. In the previous 12 seasons in the league, Creighton has improved its preseason ranking five times, been ranked correctly five times, and dropped from preseason expectations just twice.
The Bluejays return eight players who started at least four matches from a team that went 5-4-1 and finished fourth in the BIG EAST last season. Led by Second Team All-BIG EAST selection Ariana Mondiri and captains Ella Offer, Abigail Santana and Savanna Solomon, the Bluejays have plenty of experience to guide CU back to the postseason in Jimmy Walker's second season at the helm.
Defending BIG EAST regular-season champion Georgetown claimed the top spot with 100 points, including the maximum 10 first-place votes. Xavier tallied one first-place and a total of 87 points to place second, while UConn came in right behind with 86 points. Butler followed closely behind with 72 points and a fourth-place finish, while Creighton (64) and Providence (53) closed out the top six. DePaul (39), Villanova (33), Marquette (28), St. John's (25) and Seton Hall (18) rounded out the bottom half of the poll in 2025.
The top four teams in the final league standings will qualify for the 2025 BIG EAST Championship Presented by JEEP. The semifinals on Nov. 6 (1 vs. 4 and 2 vs. 3) and title match on Nov. 9 will be played at the Maryland Soccer Complex in Boyds, Md.
Year Preseason Pick Finish Move
2013 9th 9th - -
2014 8th 7th Up 1
2015 8th 8th - -
2016 7th 7th - -
2017 8th 8th - -
2018 7th 7th - -
2019 9th 6th Up 3
2020 5th 3th Up 2
2021 5th 9th Down 4
2022 7th T-4th Up 3
2023 5th 10th Down 5
2024 7th 4th Up 3
2025 5th ?? ??
Season Outlook
Expectations are high for the 2025 Creighton women's soccer team, as the Bluejays are coming off the program's most successful seasons in nearly a decade under the direction of second year head coach Jimmy Walker.
With the return of eight players who started at least four matches from an eight-win team, including an All-BIG EAST selection, the sky's the limit for a squad that finished fourth in the BIG EAST and hosted a postseason match for the first time since joining the league in 2013.
It is with that foundation set and 13 letterwinners returning that the 2025 version of Creighton women's soccer aims to become the first to reach the NCAA postseason since 2010.
Defense
If defense wins championships, the Bluejays have what it takes to compete for one in 2025, with a solid backline and a talented goalkeeper returning to the pitch.
Defensively the Bluejays allowed 1.24 goals per match last season, posting five shutouts and surrendering one goal on six additional occasions. With a wealth of experience returning, CU is in prime position to increase its continuity along the Bluejays backline.
Ella Offer and Savanna Solomon anchor the defensive unit for the Bluejays, logging more than 2,600 minutes of action last season. Offer started all 17 matches, playing 1,492 minutes, while Solomon started in 14 matches.
Clara Kulick and Reese Carpenter are another pair of defensive forces that are expected to take a step forward into a larger role this fall. Also in contention for playing time are incoming freshmen Kennedy Moore and Josie Holt.
Goalkeepers
Senior Alyssa Zalac is expected to lead Creighton's defense in her second season as the starting goalkeeper. The Montreal, Canada native impressed during her first season with the Bluejays, starting all 17 matches and posting five shutouts with a 1.24 goals against average.
Two other Bluejays will push Zalac for time as Kailey Hall returns for her fourth season and true freshman Madison London arrives after a successful prep career in Canada.
Midfielders/Forwards
Offensively, Creighton must replace over half of its scoring from 2024 as Azumi Manriki graduated and Lara Kazandjian and Stella Downing each signed professionally after combining for 11 goals and three assists as seniors. Maddie Radke and Alyssa Judkins are also gone after starting a combined 86 contests and tallying seven goals and 10 assists in four seasons as Bluejays.
However, three players return who scored at least one goal a season ago and Walker reloaded with an impressive signing class of transfers and incoming freshman.
Second Team All-BIG EAST selection Ariana Mondiri leads the way after recording a team-high five goals, including three game-winners, and an assist last fall. Sophomore Anna Bragg is also expected to be a key contributor along the front line, netting two goals in her first season as a Bluejay.
Another threat to look out for is Abigail Santana, who is returning to the pitch after missing last season with a knee injury. The sixth-year senior has contributed in the past, netting 14 goals and dishing out eight assists in her career.
Other candidates to play along the Bluejays' front line include transfers Brynn Garnder (Bowling Green), Tori Gillis (LSU) and Olivia Duray (Pittsburgh), as well as incoming freshman Jalen Chaney.
BIG EAST Signs Multi-Year Digital Media Rights Agreement with ESPN+
ESPN and the BIG EAST Conference have announced a new six-year digital media rights agreement, adding hundreds of live BIG EAST events to ESPN's robust college sports portfolio. A minimum of 75 women's basketball and 200 Olympic sports events will stream on ESPN+ annually beginning in the 2025-26 academic season. This deal will also include a minimum of 25 non-conference games annually for BIG EAST men's basketball.
"We're pleased to welcome the BIG EAST back to ESPN," said Nick Dawson, ESPN senior vice president, programming & acquisitions. "This agreement returns one of the country's premier conferences and its tradition of excellence to ESPN platforms. We look forward to this new chapter in our relationship with the BIG EAST."
"This exciting partnership with ESPN reinforces our commitment to placing BIG EAST teams front and center on the leading digital sports platform," said BIG EAST Commissioner Val Ackerman. "Streaming on ESPN+ gives all 22 of our sports — especially women's basketball and Olympic sports — the visibility they've earned and the access our fans expect. We look forward to delivering elevated coverage and a streamlined viewing experience to fans and family members who want to follow BIG EAST action across our wide array of sports offerings."
ESPN's new direct-to-consumer offering, which is inclusive of ESPN+, is scheduled to launch in early fall.
ESPN and the BIG EAST Conference have a relationship that spans more than three decades. The BIG EAST signed its first national television deal with ESPN in 1980, beginning a partnership that ran through 2013. Since its reconfiguration that year, the BIG EAST has maintained its stature as one of the preeminent conferences in college sports, boasting four national championships in men's basketball and additional national crowns in women's basketball, field hockey, men's soccer, men's lacrosse and women's cross country.
