OMAHA, Neb. - Xavier (8-2-2) continued their strong form with a 2-1 victory over Creighton (4-6-2) in a tightly contested Big East matchup on Wednesday evening. The Musketeers extended their winning streak to two games while handing the Bluejays their first loss in three matches.
The match saw multiple momentum shifts, with Xavier's Emma Flick testing Creighton's defense early with a blocked shot in the 2nd minute. Elin Hansson followed with a near miss in the 6th minute, setting the tone for an aggressive Xavier attack. The Musketeers maintained pressure throughout the first half, with Reese Slater and Natalie Bain both recording shots in quick succession around the 11th minute.
The first half was marked by physical play, with both teams collecting yellow cards. Creighton's Olivia Sides received a caution in the 12th minute, followed by Xavier's Chelsea Loeser in the 15th minute. Mallory Connealy provided Creighton's best chance of the opening period with a low shot in the 17th minute. The defensive battle intensified when Creighton's Tori Gillis was shown yellow in the 25th minute, and Xavier's Samantha Erbach received a caution in the 29th minute.
The second half saw increased offensive activity from both sides. Regan Dancer emerged as a key figure for Xavier, recording multiple shots including attempts in the 51st and 57th minutes. Creighton's defensive unit, led by Kendal Radke, worked to contain Xavier's attack while looking to create counterattacking opportunities. The Bluejays showed improved offensive presence with Reese Carpenter and Kendal Radke both testing Xavier's goalkeeper in the final ten minutes.
Final statistics reflected Xavier's offensive dominance, as they outshot Creighton 17-5, with a 7-2 advantage in shots on goal. The Musketeers earned two corner kicks, matching Creighton's total, while the teams combined for six yellow cards in a physical contest. Xavier's goalkeeper recorded one save, while Creighton's netminder made five crucial stops to keep the match competitive.
Individual performances highlighted the evening, with Emma Flick recording multiple blocked shots for Xavier. Regan Dancer proved particularly dangerous in the second half, while Mallory Connealy stood out for Creighton with her offensive contributions. The goalkeepers on both sides faced different challenges, with Xavier's keeper handling limited but dangerous opportunities while Creighton's goalkeeper remained busy throughout the match.
Tactically, Xavier's approach emphasized wide play and quick transitions, utilizing the speed of their attacking players to create opportunities. Creighton adopted a more defensive stance, looking to break on the counter while maintaining defensive organization. Both teams made strategic substitutions throughout the second half, with Xavier's changes particularly impacting their offensive pressure.
The victory strengthens Xavier's position near the top of the Big East standings, continuing their impressive season with just two losses in twelve matches. For Creighton, despite the defeat, their competitive showing against a strong Xavier side demonstrated their ability to challenge top conference opponents.
Looking ahead, Xavier will host Butler on October 4th at 6:00 PM, seeking to extend their winning streak to three games. Creighton faces a quick turnaround, traveling to face UConn on October 4th at 6:30 PM, looking to bounce back from this narrow defeat.