When the final whistle blew in Boyds, Md. on Nov. 6, Creighton’s players stood scattered across the field— some with hands on their knees, others locked in long hugs fighting back tears. The scoreboard behind them read 2-0 in favor of No. 10 Georgetown, but the story of the Bluejays’ season stretched far beyond the numbers glowing in white.
This was Creighton’s third trip to the Big East semifinals and the first time the program has qualified for the conference tournament in back-to-back seasons since joining the league in 2013. Once a stage that felt distant, it has now become part of the Bluejays’ growing identity. Against one of the nation’s top programs, the Bluejays played with heart and grit — defending, diving and holding their shape through wave after wave of Georgetown pressure.
“That’s the first time we’ve [qualified in back-to-back years.] What we’ve done over the last five weeks to get into this tournament has been nothing short of amazing, really, but we knew tonight was going to be tough,” head coach Jimmy Walker said. “We were going to need them to have a bit of an off night. We were going to have to have our best game and unfortunately, they did not skip a beat tonight. They were exceptionally good against us.”
From the opening whistle, Georgetown pressed hard, testing Creighton’s back line repeatedly before breaking through in the 33rd minute with a lucky strike. Henley Tippins found the net off a corner kick from Shay Montgomery, giving the top-seeded Hoyas the lead. Facing one of the nation’s most prolific offenses, which had outscored opponents 43-9, the Bluejays held strong, with senior goalkeeper Alyssa Zalac making several tough saves to keep the score close.
“Alyssa can walk away knowing that’s probably the best game she had all year. She can walk away proud of that performance,” Walker said. “She made some huge saves tonight. Huge.”
Georgetown doubled their lead in the 62nd minute as back-to-back BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year Maja Lardner scored her 14th goal on the year. Creighton’s lone shot attempt came in the 85th minute, when First Team All-BIG EAST Selection Ariana Mondiri’s free kick was stopped by Big East Goalkeeper of the Year Cara Martin.
The Hoyas outshot the Bluejays 27-1, earning a 9-0 advantage in corner kicks. Despite the overwhelming pressure, Creighton’s defense limited Georgetown to just two goals, keeping the team within striking distance throughout the match.
“We were very resilient tonight,” Walker said. “It was a really good, solid defensive performance. There was just one or two small errors that against good teams you can’t make… [but I am] so proud of the effort, proud of the season, [and] proud of the way we’ve moved the program forward.”
The loss brought Creighton’s season to a close at 7-8-4, a record that only begins to capture the team’s growth. From early non-conference battles with nationally-ranked Duke and Arkansas to statement wins over Seton Hall and St. John’s down the stretch, the Bluejays proved they belong among the league’s best.
“You have to understand, this senior class two years ago was [at the] bottom of the conference. So they went through a coaching change, and then a brand-new coaching staff comes in with different ideas of the way they want to do things. …What they’ve done is embrace that change,” Walker said. “I think the biggest thing they could have done was move our legacy forward. …Last year, we went to the quarterfinal, and this year, we went to the semifinals … they’ve done more not just on the field, but in terms of leaving the program in a much more respectable position. That’s what this group has done.”
As the program turns toward next fall, Walker’s pride carries a hopeful edge. The group will be younger, but the foundation feels stronger than ever.
“I think we’re headed in the right direction. We’re going to be very young next year. It’s going to be a very exciting group coming through, but I’m proud,” Walker said. “Creighton [women’s] soccer’s finally being respected now. The men’s program’s always been well respected, but the women’s program’s starting to finally be respected now. That’s huge for the ladies and the work that they’re doing. They’ve got to keep progressing it forward.”
For a team that once sat at the bottom of the standings, a semifinal loss to a top-10 powerhouse isn’t the end of a story. It’s only just the start of something that is still being built.