Creighton University
Eastern Illinois
Offense, Defense Both Shine in 4-0 Men's Soccer Win
10/26/2003 1:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
OMAHA, Neb. - Freshman Michael Kraus scored twice and added an assist as the Creighton men's soccer team closed out its regular-season home schedule with a 4-0 victory over Eastern Illinois (5-10-2, 0-7-1) Sunday afternoon at the Creighton Soccer Field. The Jays moved their winning streak to six games and increased their first-place lead in the Missouri Valley Conference, improving to 6-0-1 in MVC play, with their highest point output and seventh shutout of the season.
After a scoreless first half, the Bluejays' offense erupted in the second half with sophomore Matt Wieland getting the scoring started. Wieland drove home a shot into the lower left corner of the goal. His third goal of the season was assisted by Kraus at 50:10.
Seven minutes later the Jays struck again, this time Vince Odorisio found the back of the net at 57:03. His second goal of the year was set up by a nice pass from Jonathan Welsh, Welsh's first collegiate point.
Kraus then continued the onslaught in the 75th minute. His aggressive move on a loose ball at the top of the box, resulted in him winning the ball from the EIU keeper and taking it in for an easy goal. Kraus wasn't finished, adding the Jays' final tally of the afternoon at 77:01 off a feed from Wieland. The freshman from Memphis, Tenn., now leads the team with four goals and 11 points on the year.
The Creighton (9-3-3, 6-0-1) defense can't be overlooked, posting their fifth shutout in seven conference games, while limiting Eastern Illinois to just three shots in the second half. Senior Guido Leon made five saves in goal in lowering his conference goals against average to a minute 0.17.
Creighton honored its nine seniors before the match, with seven - Leon, Dave Minges, David Wagenfuhr, Damien Westfield, Shane Havens, Matt Thomas, Nic Wilson - in the starting line-up. Zach Piercy (injury) and Matt Jewett (yellow card accumulation) were unable to play in the home regular-season finale. The start marked the first in Wilson's career.
With two MVC games remaining, the Jays need only a tie to clinch at least a share of the regular-season title. A win will give the Bluejays their first regular-season championship since 1996.
The Jays will travel to SMU next Friday and 12th-ranked Tulsa next Sunday to conclude the regular season. CU will then return home to play host to a MVC Tournament Play-In match on Saturday, Nov. 8 at 1:05 p.m.
MVC Standings
