The Creighton women’s soccer team improved to 8-2-2 on the year after victories against University of Missouri-Kansas City and Indiana State University last week. The Jays rolled past UMKC 3-0 on Sept. 22 and beat Indiana State 2-0 on Saturday. The win against Indiana State extended the Jays’ winning streak to six games – their longest since 2002.
The Jays put themselves on the board early against UMKC when senior midfielder Emily Orbell’s goal in the fourth minute gave them a 1-0 lead. The Jays continued to attack and scored minutes later when senior forward Andrea Zuniga netted a shot from 40 yards out. The Jays scored again in the 38th minute when freshman forward Kayla Nsien scored off a Neumann assist. Creighton dominated the Kangaroos for all 90 minutes, taking a season-high number of shots, 35, and shots on goal, 24.
“We have been getting a better effort from everyone and playing together more as a unit,” head coach Bruce Erickson said. “We are finding ways to win, get shutouts and score goals.”
Saturday, Creighton traveled to Terre Haute, Ind. and returned with a 2-0 victory over the Indiana State Sycamores. Creighton’s defense was remarkable throughout the game, allowing no shots on goal. Sophomore forward Brittney Neumann and freshman forward Lauren Cingoranelli each scored a goal in the second half of the match to secure the win. The game was physical, as Creighton only attempted two shots on goal. In the end, it was the defensive effort that won the Jays the game.
“We have been stingy in giving out goals,” Erickson said. “[But] we haven’t seen the best from this group. They are still a good work-in-progress and are getting stronger each week.”
The Jays seem to be progressing in the right direction. The win over the Sycamores gives the team a 1-0 record in Missouri Valley Conference play, which is the first step in regaining conference supremacy. Their wins over Indiana State and UMKC are proof the Jays are putting their slow start behind them and playing good soccer.
Many different players led the Jays last week, but to coach Erickson, the wins were a complete team effort.
“Everyone has improved [her] game, so it’s hard to select only a few individuals,” Erickson said.
The team seems to be clicking on all cylinders heading into conference play, but the road only toughens from here. The Jays’ next two opponents are Valley foes University of Northern Iowa and Drake University, teams Creighton struggled with last year. The team knows it must improve to keep its winning streak intact.
“We must continue to get better in the attack, specifically with our speed of play and possession, continue creating scoring opportunities and continue to score goals while not giving up any opportunities to our opponents,” Erickson said.
The Jays look to add to its winning streak when they face the University of Nothern Iowa on Saturday in Waterloo, Iowa.