Bluejays Advance To National Championship Match!
12/8/2000 7:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Dec. 8, 2000
Box Score
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -
Eighth-ranked Creighton (22-3-0) knocked off two-time defending champion and 16th-ranked Indiana (16-7-0), 2-1, in three overtimes before 10,752 fans to advance to the first NCAA national championship game in CU history.
"We knew going into this game that it would not be like our last game against Indiana (a 4-1 CU win)," head coach Bret Simon said. "This is the time of year when champions come through. They pushed us to the max today. Indiana played like true champions. We are proud to be in the position we are in. I am pleased with our players -- from the seniors down to the freshmen."
The game was a see-saw battle from the beginning, as IU sophomore Pat Noonan put the Hoosiers on the board first (29:33) when he scored his 11th goal of the season on a left-footed kick from 15 yards out. IU ended the first half with eight shots, while CU had attempted just three.
The Bluejays didn't let Indiana's lead phase them, as they scored just three minutes into the second half to tie the match at 1-1. Senior All-American forward Brian Mullan scored his 18th goal of the season when he connected on a pass from both Mike Tranchilla and Keith Sawarynski at 48:10.
"I told our team nothing miraculous at halftime," said Bret Simon. "I told our team to stay together in close proximity. Indiana wouldn't have been able to use their athleticism if we stayed tight."
The match would remain knotted through two overtime periods before Tranchilla knocked the game winner in when he rebounded Mullan's shot that bounced off the goalpost at 123:53. Tranchilla's score was his eighth game-winning goal of the season.
"I'm glad the game is over," said Mike Tranchilla. "I'm happy. The third time it hit the post, it came right to me and I hit a wide-open net."
Creighton had two other terrific opportunities that also bounced off the cross bars. Tranchilla's potential game winner was at 92:42 but bounced off the bar, and senior Peter Henning also watched a header bounce off the bar with just :47 left in the first overtime period.
Indiana's Noonan had two opportunities to score in the second overtime period, but both of his shots were scooped up by CU goalkeeper Mike Gabb (Omaha, Neb./Burke).
Gabb collected five saves for the Bluejays in 124 minutes, while Colin Rogers grabbed seven saves for the Hoosiers. Creighton outshot IU, 15-12. The Hoosiers attempted nine corner kicks to Creighton's two.
"I'm just worn out," said Gabb. "We played well. We all gave each other momentum. Now it's important for us to refocus. "
The Bluejays will play Connecticut in the NCAA championship match on Sunday at noon (CST). The Huskies downed Missouri Valley Conference foe SMU 2-0 in the other semifinal match. Sunday's game will be televised live on ESPN and will be the first meeting between UConn and Creighton.
Gabb is now the all-time CU single-season leader in minutes in goal with 2,186 minutes this season. Mullan moved into second place on the CU single-season charts with 49 points, while Tranchilla is tied for fourth place with 47 points. Tranchilla is tied for third on the single-season charts with 19 goals, while Mullan is tied for fifth with 18.
The Bluejays improved to 4-0-0 in overtime games this season, while Indiana dropped to 1-2-0 in extra period games.
