Women's Soccer Opens Up BIG EAST Play with Win at Creighton

Sunday, March 7

Omaha, Neb.

2 PM ET

Xavier University

2-2-0, 1-0-0

Creighton

0-2-0, 0-1-0

Xavier

Creighton

Women's Soccer Opens Up BIG EAST Play with Win at Creighton

03.07.21 | Women's Soccer

Box Score Season Stats Box Score

Molly McLaughlin scores the game-winner on a penalty kick

By: Hayley Schletker, Xavier Athletic Communications

OMAHA, Neb. - Xavier women's soccer opened up BIG EAST Conference play with a 1-0 win at Creighton on Sunday afternoon. The Musketeers move to 2-2 on the season and are 1-0 in conference action.

Creighton opened the game creating pressure on offense, outshooting the Musketeers 7-3 and taking three corner kicks before the break, but a pair of Olivia Jenkins saves kept the Bluejays scoreless. Xavier took the lead about midway through the first half after a Creighton foul in the box set Molly McLaughlin up for the penalty kick, which shot low and to the right for the lead.

After the break, Xavier's offense increased its intensity, holding a 5-2 edge on shots, and earning five corners looking for an insurance goal. The Musketeers were unable to find the back of the net, but the Xavier defense picked up the second shut-out of the season, not allowing a look on-frame in the second half for the 1-0 win.

Xavier is back in action on Thursday, March 11, hosting DePaul at 1:00 p.m. at XU Soccer Complex.

SCORING RECAP

22' | XAVIER | After Sonia Vargas was fouled in the box, Molly McLaughlin took the penalty kick, shooting to the lower right corner for the 1-0 lead.

NOTABLE

Molly McLaughlin's first half goal on a PK was her first of the season and seventh of her Xavier career. It was also the eventual game-winner, her third game-winner as a Musketeer.
McLaughlin led the Musketeers with five shots, including all three looks on-frame.
Gabrielle LoPresti, Carrie Lewis and Emma Marcus each finished with a shot as well.
Creighton held a 9-8 advantage on shots overall, but Xavier finished with a 3-2 advantage on shots on-goal after Xavier's defense limited the Bluejays to just two second half shots, with neither on-frame.
Xavier held a 6-4 advantage on corner kicks after earning five in the second half.
Olivia Jenkins played the full time in-frame, making a pair of saves to pick up her second win and shutout of the season. She has 11 wins and eight shutouts for her Xavier career.
Hayley Jakovich and Grace Brauer also played the full 90 minutes as part of Xavier's defense.

VIDEO

🎥 | Molly McLaughlin's PK in the first half is the eventual game-winner! #LetsGoX pic.twitter.com/OSWK79YBUK
— XU Women's Soccer (@XavierWSOC) March 7, 2021