Creighton University
Furman
Eighth-Ranked Bluejays Top No. 15 Furman, 3-1, in Men's Soccer
8/31/2003 3:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
OMAHA, Neb. - Senior Zach Piercy's first career goal helped the eighth-ranked Creighton men's soccer team to a 3-1 come-from-behind win over No. 15 Furman on Sunday afternoon at the Diadora Challenge held at the new on-campus Creighton Soccer Complex. With the win, the Jays complete the tournament in third place and move to 1-0-1 on the season.
The Bluejays fell behind early, when United States national-team member Clint Dempsey scored the Paladins (0-2-0) goal in the ninth minute of play. Dempsey found the back of the net on a one timer which he received from Josh Villalobos' free kick at the 8:56 mark.
CU didn't score the equalizer until Piercy netted his goal in the 43rd minute. Piercy riffled in a shot after receiving the ball from Matt Thomas. Newcomer Vince Odorisio also assisted on the goal at 42:26.
The Jays then took the lead when senior Dave Minges scored his first goal in two years in the 54th minute. Minges blasted in a shot from 18 yards off of a set free kick play in which Matt Jewett tapped the ball through the legs of teammate Vince Odorisio and Minges' blast got by Furman keeper Alex Maslow.
Junior Julian Nash then headed in a goal off a corner kick from David Wagenfuhr at the 79:39 mark. Nash also scored a goal against the Paladins in a 4-2 loss in Greenville, S.C., last year.
Senior Guido Leon notched his first CU victory in net, stopping four shots in his 90 minutes of play.
The match served as a consolation match in the seventh annual Diadora Challenge. Maryland defeated Butler, 4-0, earlier in the day in the championship bout.
Jewett and freshman Andrew Peterson earned all-tournament honors for the Bluejays. Maryland defender Seth Stammler took home tournament MVP honors.
The Bluejays hit the road next weekend when they travel to Los Angeles for the Loyola Marymount Fall Classic. The Jays will face Santa Clara on Friday afternoon and then LMU next Sunday afternoon.
Diadora Challenge All-Tournament Team
Alex Maslow, Furman
McNeil Cronin, Furman
Matt Jewett, Creighton
Andrew Peterson, Creighton
Evan Reinhardt, Butler
John Mariscalco, Butler
Scott Olsen, Butler
Ian Rodway, Maryland
A.J. Herrera, Maryland
Scott Buete, Maryland
MVP - Seth Stammler, Maryland
