This is the first installment of White & Blue Review’s preview for the 2009 Creighton women’s soccer team. Join us every day this week as we take a look at a different part of Bruce Erickson’s club, leading up to his team’s exhibition game Sunday, August 16, versus Minnesota State.
Women's Soccer Preview: 2008 Recap
Quick 2008 Recap
Creighton’s women’s soccer team takes to the pitch in 2009 with something to prove while no doubt trying to strike a balance.
Last year, the Jays (12-6-1) failed to make the MVC tournament semifinals for the first time in 13 years. Adding to the frustrating end to last year was that the Bluejays were playing in front of their home fans at Morrison Stadium, where they were 3-1 in Valley tournament play heading into what turned out to be the season’s last game against Missouri State.
The overtime loss to MSU was the final game in the careers of six seniors, including All-Valley picks Marcy Gans and Lindsay Vaught. The Jays also lost standout goalie Kristen Casey, who with 18 shutouts stands at #3 on Creighton’s all-time list.
Those are the difficult aspects of last season’s end. The positives, however, are promising. Returning for the Bluejays is senior Mary Zapapas, honorable mention all-MVC last season. MVC 2007 Freshman of the Year Emily Orbell was second team all-MVC last season as a sophomore, and she’ll make her transition into an upperclassman role. The Jays welcome back another eight other sophomores from last year’s team, including two all-Freshmen performers Erin Gunther and Macy Mauer.
The Jays will look to build on the success these young players achieved while at the same time continuing to mold a very young club. With eight true freshmen, a redshirt freshman transfer from Arizona, and a redshirt sophomore transfer from Nebraska, this season’s squad will be one of the youngest in recent memory.
The Coaches
The man in charge of developing this young talent and leading the women to success is Erickson, Creighton’s all-time winningest women’s soccer coach. He enters his eleventh season as Bluejay head coach, where he has done an exceptional job of building a leading program. One of the top teams in the MVC year in and year out, the Jays have been to four NCAA tournaments in the past seven years (2002, 2004, 2005, 2007).
Assisting Erickson this season will be Matt Howe, Ileana Moschos, and Ivonne Valentine. According to GoCreighton.com, Howe brings energy and expertise to Creighton’s attack. Moschos serves as Erickson’s recruiting coordinator as part of her assisting duties. And Valentine, a former Jays standout, is back as graduate manager.
Tomorrow we’ll take a look at how the Jays stack up at the forward position. Stay tuned!.