Women's Soccer to Take on Missouri State in State Farm MVC Semifinals Friday
11/4/2009 2:00:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Friday's Opponent
Creighton will look to beat Missouri State for the second time this season at Morrison Stadium when they take on the Bears at 6:00 p.m. in the State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Tournament.
Missouri State Series
With its 3-0 win over the Bears earlier this year, the Jays improved to 4-5-5 against Missouri State. That loss turned out to be MSU's only Valley loss of the season.
Recent Results
Creighton won two consecutive matches against Evansville last week, as Beth Fyles scored two goals in Thursday's 4-1 win and Brittney Neumann posted her team-best seventh goal of the season in Sunday's 1-0 victory in the MVC quarterfinals.
Follow the Jays Live
Live stats of Friday's match can be accessed by going to the women's soccer page at www.gocreighton.com. Click the link on the women's soccer schedule to access the feature. Live video can be purchased by also clicking the link on the schedule page.
Host History
Creighton will try to win its fifth berth in the NCAA Tournament under Bruce Erickson this weekend. Creighton hosts the tournament for the fourth time, with its only title at home coming in 2005. The MVC Tournament was held in Morrison Stadium in 2008, 2006 and 2005. Evansville won the title last year, with Drake prevailing in 2006.
Opening Round Success
The Bluejays have now played nine opening round matches in the MVC Tournament without a loss. Sunday's 1-0 win over Evansville improved CU's record to 8-0-1 in opening-round games. Last year was the only time in team history that the Jays have not advanced past the quarterfinals, when Missouri State advanced on penalty kicks, 4-2, after a 0-0 tie.
Tournament History
The Jays are 17-7-3 all-time in conference tournament play. The Jays are 5-1-1 in tournament games played in Omaha and 2-1-1 in those contests played at Morrison Stadium.
Good Odds
Creighton has had success against the three other remaining teams in the tournament. Drake, Missouri State and Illinois State have combined for exactly zero wins over Creighton in the tournament. The Redbirds and Bears have both advanced past the Bluejays once apiece on penalty kicks, but Creighton's official record against those three teams in the tournament is 5-0-3.
Bear Hunting
After never facing Missouri State in the postseason, Creighton will now see the Bears for the second straight season in the MVC Tournament. MSU will have to overcome history, as they have not reached an MVC Tournament championship match since 2000; the only year they won the title.
Shutout Record
Creighton's 1-0 win over Evansville was the squad's 11th on the season. That sets a new school record, breaking the 19-year old record of 10 set in 1990. Alicia Montgomery has 10 shutouts of her own (including two combined) which ties the individual season record as well.
Good with Gunther
Erin Gunther assisted on Sunday's game-winning goal, posting her fourth straight match with at least one point. The Jays are 4-0-1 this season, and 6-0-1 in the last two seasons when Gunther scores at least one point.
Erickson Matches Win Mark
Creighton's win on Sunday matched Bruce Erickson's Creighton season-high for wins. Erickson has won a dozen matches five different times in his tenure at Creighton. The last time the Jays won 13 matches in a season was in 1998 (13-6-0), with their all-time high coming in 1993 and 1994 when they posted back-to-back, 14-win seasons.
More Than Not
Creighton secured a winning record for 2009 long ago, marking the ninth straight winning campaign for the squad. The Jays have not had a losing record since 2000 and haven't finished below .500 in MVC play since 1999.
Postseason Points
Coming into Valley postseason play, only Emily Orbell and Kyla Hoskins had postseason points on their career resumes. Erin Gunther and Claire Zach assisted on Brittney Neumann's goal on Sunday to give all three their first career postseason points.
No More Than Two
Coming into the MVC Tournament, the Jays have yet to allow more than two goals in a game. If the Jays can hold their opponents to that in their remaining matches, it will be the first time in Creighton's history that they will accomplish that feat.
Neu-Wo-Mann on the Block
Brittney Neumann's impact on this year's Creighton squad has been a welcome sight. Neumann currently leads the team, and is second in the MVC, in points with 19 (7g/5a). If Neumann finishes the season with the team lead in points she will be the sixth freshman in Creighton history to do so, and the first since Marcy Gans in 2005.
Goals Against Record to Fall?
Alicia Montgomery and Kaitie Jo Swanson, along with the rest of the Creighton defense, have combined for what is shaping up to be the best defensive showing in a season in Creighton history. Montgomery and Swanson have combined for a 0.56 goals against average, which barring a collapse, should surpass the 2003 team's mark of 0.81. Montgomery and Swanson should both end up in the top five of Creighton's single season list, as they currently sit 2-3 with marks of 0.53 (Montgomery) and 0.67.
Gunther Leads Valley Charge
Erin Gunther has also been a key part in Creighton's MVC contests. Gunther leads the team in scoring in MVC-only matches with six points (2g/2a). Beth Fyles and Kelly Connolly are the only other Jays to have more than one goal in league play.
November Record
Since 2002, Creighton has had plenty of success in the month of November. Including that season, the Jays have put up a 11-5-3 record and have appeared in four NCAA Tournaments. The Jays have an overall mark of 19-16-3 in the month.
On Tap
If Creighton can get by Missouri State on Friday, the Jays will face the winner of the Illinois State-Drake match on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. for the MVC Championship. That match, regardless of the teams, will be broadcast on Fox Sports Midwest at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday.
