This is the first of three installments of WBR’s preview of the 2011 Creighton Bluejays women’s soccer team. The Bluejays being their regular season Friday, August 19, at South Dakota State.
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Can the 2011 Creighton women’s soccer team improve on its offensive production from last season? The Bluejays scored almost twice as many goals (50) as their next closest Missouri Valley Conference competition (Missouri State, 26). Creighton finished ninth nationally in goals scored per game (2.38). This offensive prowess led the Bluejays to MVC regular season and tournament championships and the program’s first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 2007.
Unfortunately for the rest of the Valley, Bruce Erickson’s squad returns his top four scorers from last season. This core of the Creighton attack is one reason the Bluejays are the league’s preseason pick to defend their MVC title. In fact, three of the team’s attackers earned 2011 preseason All-MVC consideration this week.
Leading the way is 2010 MVC Player of the Year Brittney Neumann. The junior from Millard North won the league’s highest individual honor after securing the MVC Freshman of the Year the season previous. She finished with 23 points in 2010, second best on the team.
Reigning MVC Player of the Year Brittney Neumann leads the Creighton attack
Joining Neumann on the All-MVC team is Andrea Zuniga, with whom Neumann tied for last year’s team-high honors in goals scored (9). Zuniga, a senior from Burke High School in Omaha, led Creighton in total points last season.
All-MVC performer Andrea Zuniga led CU in scoring in 2010
Also adding to the attack is fellow preseason All-MVC pick Lauren Cingoranelli, a sophomore from Aurora, Colorado, who looks to build on an impressive freshman campaign. Cingoranelli earned the MVP honor at the 2010 MVC Tournament, and also garnered second team All-MVC and All-Freshman team recognition. Cingoranelli scored eight goals and added six assists last season.
Lauren Cingoranelli looks to build on a solid freshman season in 2011
Emma Auld saw action in 11 matches as a freshman last season, and looks to build on that playing time in 2011. Tessa McKeone played in five matches as a junior, including Creighton’s NCAA Tournament contest against Minnesota. Sarah Kendall adds another experienced player to the depth of the attack, as does freshman Stephanie Anasi.
