With a tough 1-0 overtime loss against the Butler Bulldogs, the Creighton women’s soccer team was eliminated from contention in the race for a Big East Tournament berth with one game remaining in the season. With the win, the Bulldogs improved to 11-5-2 (4-4-0) on the season, while the Jays dropped to 9-7-1 (2-5-1).  

The first half of the game, though scoreless, appeared to be clearly dominated by the Bulldogs on Saturday night in Morrison Stadium. The Jays were held without a shot in the half, while the Bulldogs reeled off eight. The pressure was constantly on the defense for the Jays, who responded well.  Freshman goalkeeper Danielle Rice was able to make the three saves required to keep the game scoreless however, keeping the Jays in the game. The Bulldogs also had two corner kicks in the half compared to the zero of the Jays.  

The second half, however, proved to be completely different. The Jays came out with a lot of fight in the half, posting five shots and allowing seven for the Bulldogs. Rice added another five saves to her total for the night. Both teams produced two corner kicks in the half, and they both manufactured chances to gain the lead. However, with the teams still scoreless after 90 minutes, the Jays prepared to play extra soccer for the third time in Big

East play.    

“We were certainly better in the second half than we were in the first half,”  head coach Bruce Erickson said. “I just thought it was a lifeless game at times, not one team really wanted to push the issue very much. I thought we got them to play a little bit predictable and I thought a lot of their shots were from distance and not very dangerous. I really thought we could have pressed and got that goal in the last ten minutes or so, but we lacked a little bit of life.”  

In the first overtime period the Bulldogs produced two shots, with the first sailing wide to the right of the net. With the second shot in the 95th minute, the Bulldogs found the back of the net to win the game. The shot came on a breakaway produced by a through ball, with the Bulldog forward finally able to beat Rice to get the first goal of the game. The loss marked the third consecutive shutout posted against the Jays, who have struggled to find goals since beginning Big East play.  

“I think we need to be a little bit more selfish up there and take more shots,” senior defender Kelsey O’Donnell said. “We had zero shots in the first half and I have confidence in all of our forwards and even our attacking mids; anybody on our team can shoot the ball.  I think we just need to be a little bit more selfish at times and take shots when it’s necessary.”  

The Jays will go into their final regular season game hoping to finish on a high-note as they face the last place Xavier Musketeers, who are 8-8-1 (1-7-0 Big East) this season.  The game will start at 1 p.m. on Saturday at

Morrison Stadium.