Creighton University
Kentucky
Men's Soccer Tames Wildcats, 4-1, At Furman Invitational
9/6/2002 3:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 6, 2002
GREENVILLE, S.C. - Julian Nash netted his first goal of the season and added two assists in a 4-1 men's soccer victory over 19th-ranked Kentucky at the Furman Invitational Friday night. Newcomers Damien Westfield and Mehdi Ballouchy both added one goal and one assist each, in the romp.
Creighton (2-0-1) took an early lead when junior David Wagenfuhr scored his second goal of the season in the fifth minute of play. Nash, a sophomore, recorded his first assist of the night on the tally at 4:49.
The Jays struck again at 17:45 when Westfield knocked home his second goal of the year. The former junior college All-American was assisted by Luiz Del Monte on the goal.
The Wildcats (1-2-0) cut the Jays lead in half with a goal in the 26th minute by reining Mid-American Conference Player of the Week, Nathan Fleetwood. CU took a 2-1 lead into the half, while also owning a 7-0 edge on corner kicks.
UK turned the pressure up in the second half, unloading 13 shots on the Jays, compared to just four off the feet of Bluejays. Mike Gabb was stellar in goal for the Jays, stopping six shots on goal in the win.
"This is really a good win and will look good for our record at the end of the season since Kentucky has already played and defeated strong competition," said Head Coach Bob Warming. "We were passing and controlling the ball so well. When we had possession we looked like we were in top form."
Ballouchy and Nash added two goals in the 89th minute, just 18 seconds apart. Nash and Westfield assisted on Ballouchy's first collegiate goal, which he placed in an unattended goal. The freshman then assisted on Nash's goal to ice the game.
CU's offensive explosion came without last year's leading scorer Mike Tranchilla. Tranchilla was not with the team as he was attending the funeral of his grandmother. The senior All-America candidate is expected to join the team on Saturday and be ready to play on Sunday.
The win over No. 19 Kentucky is the Jays' first win over a ranked opponent since they knocked off fifth-ranked Maryland nearly one year ago, defeating the Terps, 2-1 on Sept. 7, 2001.
The Furman Invitational continues on Sunday when the Bluejays take on host and 23rd-ranked Furman at 1:30 p.m. The Paladins faced Butler in the first day of action at the tournament. Live stats for the Bluejay-Paladin match up will be available at www.furmanpaladins.com.
