The Creighton women’s soccer team won its fourth straight game and improved to 6-2-2 on the year after home victories against University of Wyoming and Cal State Fullerton. The Jays dominated Wyoming 6-2 on Friday and shutout Cal State 3-0 on Sunday.
Against Cal State Fullerton, the Jays dominated both ends of the pitch. The team was led by junior goalkeeper Alicia Montgomery, who recorded eight saves in her second shutout of the season.
The Jays struck first in the 20th minute when junior midfielder Kelly Connolly scored off an assist from senior midfielder
Emily Orbell.
Creighton scored again in the 26th minute when sophomore forward Brittany Neumann forced an own goal by the Titans’ keeper.
The Jays scored their last goal late in the second half when freshman forward Lauren Cingoranelli scored off another
Orbell assist.
The Jays were outshot in the match 12 to eight, but made the most of their scoring opportunities, scoring on three of their five shots on goal.
“It goes hand in hand, when we play hard and play focused, we play well, compete and score goals,” said head coach Bruce Erikson.
Earlier in the week, the Jays picked up their first home win of the season, beating a very physical Wyoming team. They were led by junior midfielder Erin Gunther’s two goals, Neumann’s two goals and junior forward Andrea Zuniga’s one goal and one assist. Sophomore goalkeeper Katie Jo Swanson worked the net for all 90 minutes, recording 10 saves.
Neumann scored the first goal of the night in the 15th minute and Gunther tacked on two more to send the Jays to the locker room with a 3-0 lead.
“Erin Gunther has really stepped up,” Erickson said. “She’s played back, midfield, and scored goals; I’m really impressed.”
Even though Gunther and the Jays put away the Cowgirls early, the game was played quite evenly. Creighton attempted 13 shots, 10 on goal, but it was Wyoming, 22 shots and 12 on goal, that controlled the ball the majority of the night.
“We’re going to have to work on playing hard and on our set pieces entering conference play,” said Erickson.
“We have our first two conference games on the road; I don’t think any other teams have to deal with that.”
Even though Creighton has a tough road ahead, Erickson is confident it can succeed and win this year in the Valley.
It would be tough to argue with him. The Jays are currently riding a four-game winning streak and clearly playing their best soccer of the season.
“We are starting to string together some good results,” said Erickson. “But it’s not just the wins; we are starting to play better every game.”
The Jays look to continue their excellent play and to extend their current winning streak next week against University of Missouri – Kansas City and Indiana State. The game against Indiana State will be their conference opener, with kickoff set for 11 a.m. in Terre Haute, Ind.