Women’s soccer exhibition game in Creighton, Omaha will have no shortage of intensity

“We played them in the spring and they were better than us in the spring,” said Walker, who was hired by the Bluejays last November. “We have to come out on top and compete.”

The women’s soccer exhibition between the in-state rivals is Sunday at 6 p.m. at Morrison Stadium.

Creighton edged the Mavericks 2-1 in an exhibition last season on UNO’s home court. It was the first meeting of the programs in 2018, so the players of both teams appreciate this matchup.

“I think we treat it like a (regular-season) game, we’re really excited,” said Grace Ostergaard, one of nine Mavs who are either seniors or graduate students. “I actually played a lot of those girls this summer, so it’s going to be fun playing against them.”

Added Regan Zimmers, who has played at UNO since 2019: “It will be the last time we play them.”

Ostergaard graduated from Millard West and Zimmers went to Millard North. Both rosters are peppered with players from Metro Conference schools.

UNO coach Tim Walters said he hopes his team has Creighton and Nebraska on its schedule every year. The Mavs play the Huskers on August 29th.

“You learn more about yourself when you play those (bigger conference) teams,” Walters said. “For the long-term goals, it’s important to prepare for the regular season.”

The Mavs enter this season with eyes on their second Summit League title in three years and another trip to the NCAA Tournament.

Creighton, meanwhile, is coming off a 4-9-5 season in which it averaged 1.1 goals per game. The Jays showed more of their offensive punch during Wednesday’s exhibition against South Dakota State, which CU won 3-2.

The UNO game will be Creighton’s third exhibition this preseason. Walker said the games gave him a chance to see how his players handle game situations.

“The first game (a 1-1 tie with South Dakota) we defended well,” he said. “Then (Wednesday) we were very, very good for long periods. I looked very comfortable in the first 50 or 60 minutes. And then they came at us again and I was disappointed with how we reacted to it.”

Sunday will be the final tune-up for both teams. Both open the regular season Thursday — CU will be at Minnesota and UNO will host SIU-Edwardsville.