OMAHA, Neb. – In a pivotal match held at Morrison Stadium, the Creighton Women’s Soccer team showcased resilience by overcoming a red card to secure a commanding 3-0 victory over Seton Hall on Wednesday, October 22. This win marks a significant step in the Bluejays’ quest for a spot in the upcoming BIG EAST Tournament.
Following this match, Creighton’s overall record improved to 6-7-3, with a conference record of 3-3-2, placing them in fifth position in the BIG EAST standings. Conversely, Seton Hall now sits at 3-8-5 overall and is yet to secure a conference win at 0-7-1.
First Half Highlights
Despite facing early adversity, Creighton struck first in the 33rd minute. The scoring began after a crucial turnover by Seton Hall in the attacking zone, which allowed Ariana Mondiri to capitalize and score her seventh goal of the season—truly a remarkable feat. She received a well-placed centering pass from Clara Kulick, skillfully placing the ball into the net from the left side of the box.
Just five minutes later, Tori Gillis extended the Bluejays’ lead to 2-0 by finding the back of the net with a powerful header off a free kick delivered by freshman Olivia Sides. These goals set a solid foundation for Creighton as they headed into the halftime break with a comfortable advantage, despite playing a woman down since the 28th minute due to a red card issued to freshman Jalen Chaney.
Second Half Dynamics
Emerging from halftime, Creighton continued to assert their dominance on the field. In the 59th minute, Brynn Gardner sealed the victory with an impressive strike. Following a recovery of a loose ball along the sideline, Olivia Duray delivered a cross-field pass to Gardner, who skillfully turned and launched the ball into the top corner of the net, increasing the lead to 3-0.
Defensive Standout
Creighton’s defense remained robust for the final 30 minutes of the match, successfully repelling six shots from Seton Hall to maintain their clean sheet. This match also marked Creighton’s third shutout of the season. Senior goalkeeper Alyssa Zalac recorded two saves, further showcasing her critical role in the team’s defensive strategy.
Next Steps
Creighton is set to return to the field for their final away game of the regular season against Butler at 6 p.m. on Saturday, October 25. With this recent victory, the Bluejays have positioned themselves well in their pursuit of a place in the postseason.
