Sunday, October 6
Omaha, Neb.
1:00 PM
Creighton University
5-5-1, 2-3-0
2
vs
1
Connecticut
7-3-3, 1-2-2
1
2
F
UConn
0
1
1
Creighton
1
1
2
Photo by: Creighton Athletics
Downing's Career Day Leads Women's Soccer to 2-1 Win Over UConn
10/6/2024 3:15:00 PM | Women's Soccer
Stella Downing records first career brace in the win.
OMAHA, Neb. - Propelled by two Stella Downing goals, the Creighton women's soccer team secured a 2-1 victory over the UConn Huskies in the Bluejays' second home conference match of the season on Sunday, Oct. 6.
With the win, the Bluejays picked up their first win over UConn in the all-time series, climbing to 5-5-1 overall and 2-3-0 in BIG EAST play while the Huskies dropped to 7-3-3 overall and 1-2-2 in league contests.
The offensive attack began early for Creighton as the Bluejays struck first in the 13th minute of the match (12:15). Following a Huskies foul, senior Lara Kazandjian inserted the ball to Downing at the far post, where she chipped a header at the UConn goalie before it was deflected back to her for a sneaky left foot tap-in to record the first goal of her career and seize a 1-0 CU advantage.
Offensive shots rained from both squads in the first frame, resulting in a busy period in the net for senior Alyssa Zalac and UConn's MaryKate Ward. Zalac finished the first half with four saves while Ward snagged two saves for the Huskies. UConn closed the opening 45 minutes with a 10-5 advantage in shots, while also maintaining a 6-1 edge in corners created.
Coming out of the locker room, it took UConn just 91 seconds to level the match at 1-1. Presented with a corner kick opportunity, Sophie McCarthy delivered a well-placed strike towards the center of the box, connecting with teammate Lina Dantes, who headed a pass to Chioma Okafor. Okafor then leaped and launched the equalizer into the bottom right corner of the net (46:31) for her 11th goal of the season.
The Bluejays knocked on the door in the 67th minute and nearly broke the 1-1 tie as Kazandjian released from a UConn defender to slide left and deliver a rocket off the crossbar with dissolving a Creighton push.
Zalac and Ward continued to shine, countering multiple offensive opportunities from both teams with diving saves throughout the latter part of the contest.
Defensive play continued to take over until Downing found herself on an island with the Huskies goalkeeper off a perfectly placed pass from senior Ariana Mondiri. Downing then drove in her second goal of the match and the game-winner with a rocket past the outstretched reach of Ward in the 85th minute (84:44) to give the Bluejays a 2-1 lead. With Downing's brace (two goals), she became the first Bluejay to score twice in a match since Abigail Santana logged two goals against North Dakota State on Sept. 10, 2023.
The Bluejays seized the victory despite trailing in shots 15-13 and corner kicks 7-1. Zalac earned her fifth win of the season after collecting five saves in the match, while Ward suffered her third loss of the season.
Creighton continues their homestand on Sunday, Oct. 13 when they welcome Providence into Morrison Stadium for a 1:00 p.m. contest.
With the win, the Bluejays picked up their first win over UConn in the all-time series, climbing to 5-5-1 overall and 2-3-0 in BIG EAST play while the Huskies dropped to 7-3-3 overall and 1-2-2 in league contests.
The offensive attack began early for Creighton as the Bluejays struck first in the 13th minute of the match (12:15). Following a Huskies foul, senior Lara Kazandjian inserted the ball to Downing at the far post, where she chipped a header at the UConn goalie before it was deflected back to her for a sneaky left foot tap-in to record the first goal of her career and seize a 1-0 CU advantage.
Offensive shots rained from both squads in the first frame, resulting in a busy period in the net for senior Alyssa Zalac and UConn's MaryKate Ward. Zalac finished the first half with four saves while Ward snagged two saves for the Huskies. UConn closed the opening 45 minutes with a 10-5 advantage in shots, while also maintaining a 6-1 edge in corners created.
Coming out of the locker room, it took UConn just 91 seconds to level the match at 1-1. Presented with a corner kick opportunity, Sophie McCarthy delivered a well-placed strike towards the center of the box, connecting with teammate Lina Dantes, who headed a pass to Chioma Okafor. Okafor then leaped and launched the equalizer into the bottom right corner of the net (46:31) for her 11th goal of the season.
The Bluejays knocked on the door in the 67th minute and nearly broke the 1-1 tie as Kazandjian released from a UConn defender to slide left and deliver a rocket off the crossbar with dissolving a Creighton push.
Zalac and Ward continued to shine, countering multiple offensive opportunities from both teams with diving saves throughout the latter part of the contest.
Defensive play continued to take over until Downing found herself on an island with the Huskies goalkeeper off a perfectly placed pass from senior Ariana Mondiri. Downing then drove in her second goal of the match and the game-winner with a rocket past the outstretched reach of Ward in the 85th minute (84:44) to give the Bluejays a 2-1 lead. With Downing's brace (two goals), she became the first Bluejay to score twice in a match since Abigail Santana logged two goals against North Dakota State on Sept. 10, 2023.
The Bluejays seized the victory despite trailing in shots 15-13 and corner kicks 7-1. Zalac earned her fifth win of the season after collecting five saves in the match, while Ward suffered her third loss of the season.
Creighton continues their homestand on Sunday, Oct. 13 when they welcome Providence into Morrison Stadium for a 1:00 p.m. contest.
Team Stats
Con
CRE
Goals
1
2
Shots
15
13
Shots on Goal
7
6
Saves
4
5
Corners
7
1
Fouls
8
12
Scoring Plays
Stella Downing (2)
GOAL by CRE Downing, Stella.
12:15
Chioma Okafor (11)
Assisted By: Lina Dantes , Sophie McCarthy
GOAL by Con Okafor, Chioma Assist by Dantes, Lina and McCarthy, Sophie.
46:31
Stella Downing (2)
Assisted By: Ariana Mondiri , Tilly Thomas
GOAL by CRE Downing, Stella Assist by Mondiri, Ariana and Thomas, Tilly.
84:44
Game Leaders
Players
Shots
2
SOG
2
Goals
2
Assists
0
Shots
1
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
0
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
1
Shots
4
SOG
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Players Mentioned
M
/ Women's SoccerM
/ Women's SoccerF
/ Women's Soccer
M
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's SoccerCreighton Women's Soccer Postgame vs. South Dakota, 9/14/25
Sunday, September 14
Creighton Women's Soccer Highlights vs. South Dakota, 9/14/25
Sunday, September 14
Creighton Women's Soccer Highlights vs. Omaha, 9/10/25
Thursday, September 11
Creighton Women's Soccer Postgame vs. Omaha, 9/10/25
Thursday, September 11
