The womenβs soccer team split their two games over the weekend, winning 4-1 against the University of Nebraska-Omaha on Sept. 7, and losing 1-0 against Cal State Fullerton on Sunday.Β The Jays are now 2-5-1 on the season.
Senior forward Brittney Neumann got the team off to a hot start, scoring her second goal of the season in the 40th minute. Neumann sent the ball into the back of the net on an assist from freshman defender Jill Richgels.
Creighton entered the second half with a 1-0 lead. They maintained a 6-3 shooting advantage and clear control of the game.
UNO came out strong in the second half, as they put pressure on Creighton and were able to control possession.Β UNO tied the game up on a shot from Danielle Archuleta from a deflection off the post in the 59th minute.
After the UNO goal, however, Creighton dominated. just over a minute later, freshman midfielder Maddie Nelson scored and gave Creighton the lead.
Four minutes later, junior defender Kelsey OβDonnell passed Neumann the ball at midfield from the defensive end. Neumann sprinted past the UNO defense on a breathtaking breakaway that resulted in the second goal of the game.Β Neumann called the goal, βAmazing.β
The two goals gave Neumann 27 in her illustrious career, which puts her fourth in Creighton history.Β It was also the seventh time Neumann scored multiple goals in a game.
Sophmore defender Madelyn Buckner scored the final goal and iced the game in the 77th minute.Β The goal came off an assist from senior midfielder Gabriela Guillen.
UNO outshot Creighton 11-10, while Creighton maintained an edge in corner kicks, 3-2. Senior goalkeeper Katie Jo Swanson finished with three saves, while UNO keeper Meaghan Clark ended with two saves.
Neumann was named conference offensive player of the week for the fifth time in her career thanks to her effort.Β Neumann was surprised by the honor and called it, βExciting and nice to accomplish.β
βOverall, I thought we are starting to come together,β Neumann said.Β Β βWe can definitely build on these games and we will need to be at our best for conference play.Β We need to take people on more and take on the mids.β
Sundayβs game was against Cal State Fullerton and the Jays fell 1-0 despite a brilliant performance from Swanson.
Cal State Fullerton put an enormous amount of pressure on Creighton early on and controlled possession.Β Despite this, the Jays narrowly missed on a few scoring chances.
Sophmore midfielder Stephanie Anasi shot the ball toward the net but was blocked in the 17th minute. OβDonnell narrowly missed a shot in the 24th minute, as the ball sailed wide of the net.
Cal State Fullerton outshot the Jays 9-2 in the first half and held a 2-0 advantage in corner kicks.
In the second period, Creighton looked to break the ice and capitalize off their opportunities. Midway through the period, Neumann looked to repeat her breakaway magic from Friday, but was stymied thanks to a beautiful diving save from Cal State Fullerton keeper Lindsey Maricic. Later, in the 84th minute, freshman midfielder Kaelyn Korte fired a shot just high of the goal.
Cal State Fullerton fired shot after shot, but Swanson held strong. In the 89th minute, Cal State Fullerton finally broke through, as Ann Marie Tangorra hit a shot into the back right corner on a cross.
βIt was horrible to give up a goal and lose so late in the game after we made it so far,β Swanson said.
Creighton was outshot 22-4 by Cal State Fullerton in the match and 13-4 in the second half. Swanson played fantastic and finished with a career high 11 saves. Cal State Fullerton keeper Lindsey Maricic finished with just one save.
βI thought I played how I usually play,β Swanson said.Β βI donβt think about it too much.Β My mind usually goes completely blank before a save and I just do what I normally do.Β If I give up a goal I might regret it for a little while, but then I wipe the slate clean.β
Head coach Bruce Erickson thought there were a lot of positive things that the team did but recognized that there was still work to be done before conference play.
βI thought these were the best two back to back games that we played,β Erickson said.Β βWe were so efficient against UNO.Β Swanson kept us in the game on Sunday and we had a few very good chances against Fullerton, but they just made one more play than us at the end.β
βThe schedule has been demanding and we havenβt had enough time for training,β Erickson said.Β βNow we have a chance to get closer to being healthy and we can practice to get better.Β We are playing to always get better.Β Better teams expose weaknesses. We are far from a finished product, but I think we can get on a good run.Β I would like for us to score 2 goals a game and give up 1, and hopefully get some more shutouts.β
βWe want a top two finish in the MVC.Β But I donβt want to sell this team short.Β It will be a tough road but we can win the conference.β