Women’s Soccer Picked Fifth in BIG EAST Preseason Poll
8/12/2025 10:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
OMAHA, Neb. – 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 Providence (53) closed out the top six. DePaul (39), Villanova (33), Marquette (28), St. John's (25) and Seton Hall rounded out the bottom half of the poll in 2025.
BIG EAST Preseason Women's Soccer Coaches' Poll
(first-place votes)
1. Georgetown - 100 (10)
2. Xavier - 87 (1)
3. UConn - 86
4. Butler - 72
5. Creighton - 64
6. Providence - 53
7. DePaul - 39
8. Villanova - 33
9. Marquette - 28
10. St. John's - 25
11. Seton Hall – 18
Preseason BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year
Chioma Okafor, UConn, Sr., F
Preseason BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year
Natalie Bain, Xavier, Sr., D
Preseason BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year
Cara Martin, Georgetown, Sr., GK
Preseason All-BIG EAST Team
Amelie Darey, Butler, Sr., D
Talia Sommer, Butler, Sr., F/M
Maja Lardner, Georgetown, Gr., F
Cara Martin, Georgetown, Sr., GK
Natalie Means, Georgetown, Sr., F
Ella McBride, Providence, Sr., D
Anaya Johnson, UConn, Jr., M
Chioma Okafor, UConn, Sr., F
Natalie Bain, Xavier, Sr., D
Regan Dancer, Xavier, Sr., M
Samantha Erbach, Xavier, Sr., F
Creighton in the Preseason Conference Poll
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
2020-21 5th in Midwest Division 3rd in Midwest Division 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 ?? ??
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 Providence (53) closed out the top six. DePaul (39), Villanova (33), Marquette (28), St. John's (25) and Seton Hall 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.
Creighton opens up a rigorous non-conference slate with a pair of matches on the road at Oklahoma (Aug. 14) and Kansas City (Aug. 17), before returning home for its home opener and second annual Tea Cup match against Iowa State on Thursday, Aug. 21.
BIG EAST Preseason Women's Soccer Coaches' Poll
(first-place votes)
1. Georgetown - 100 (10)
2. Xavier - 87 (1)
3. UConn - 86
4. Butler - 72
5. Creighton - 64
6. Providence - 53
7. DePaul - 39
8. Villanova - 33
9. Marquette - 28
10. St. John's - 25
11. Seton Hall – 18
Preseason BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year
Chioma Okafor, UConn, Sr., F
Preseason BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year
Natalie Bain, Xavier, Sr., D
Preseason BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year
Cara Martin, Georgetown, Sr., GK
Preseason All-BIG EAST Team
Amelie Darey, Butler, Sr., D
Talia Sommer, Butler, Sr., F/M
Maja Lardner, Georgetown, Gr., F
Cara Martin, Georgetown, Sr., GK
Natalie Means, Georgetown, Sr., F
Ella McBride, Providence, Sr., D
Anaya Johnson, UConn, Jr., M
Chioma Okafor, UConn, Sr., F
Natalie Bain, Xavier, Sr., D
Regan Dancer, Xavier, Sr., M
Samantha Erbach, Xavier, Sr., F
Creighton in the Preseason Conference Poll
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
2020-21 5th in Midwest Division 3rd in Midwest Division 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 ?? ??
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's Soccer
M
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