Creighton University
SMU
No. 17 SMU Tops No. 4 Creighton in Men's Soccer
10/1/2004 3:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
OMAHA, Neb. - For the first time this season the fourth-ranked Creighton men's soccer team was held without a goal as the 17th-ranked SMU Mustangs shut out the Bluejays, 1-0, in front of 2,833 fans at the Creighton Soccer Field in the Missouri Valley Conference opener for both teams. The loss is CU's first at home this season and drops the Jays overall record to 6-2-0, while SMU improves to 6-3-0 with the victory.
The Mustang attack came ready to play as SMU forwards peppered the Bluejay
defense with several shots in the opening minutes. SMU finally broke through the CU defense in the 15th minute. Adrian Chevannes found himself alone at the top of the box when he took a pass from Kellan Zindel. Chevannes unloaded a blast into the lower left of the net, past a diving Andrew Brown at the 14:17 mark for the game's lone goal.
The Bluejays tried to answer back in the first half, knocking three of their first five shots on net in the opening half. T.J. Tomasso was up to the task in the SMU net, making three saves in the first 45 minutes.
CU poured on the attack even more in the second half, producing several scoring opportunities. The Bluejays out-shot SMU 10-3 in the second half and had seven corner kicks to SMU's one in the second half, but could not find the back of the net. SMU defenders continually knocked crossing passes and shots away, and Tomasso stopped two more shots to end the match with five saves.
Brown was relieved of goalkeeping duties with just under 12 minutes to play. Zac Gibbens made his collegiate debut in relief. The redshirt freshman played 11:50 and did not face a shot on goal in his time on the field.
The Bluejays will look to rebound from their first home loss of the season when they play host to 23rd-ranked Tulsa on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Tulsa opened its MVC slate at Drake on Friday night, playing to a 1-1 tie.
NOTES: CU has lost twice this season, both to top-25 teams (2-1 to No. 18 Washington) ... CU is now 5-1-0 at home this season ... SMU is now 16-5-0 all-time against CU ... CU defeated SMU in the last meeting between the teams, and CU has still never topped the Mustangs in consecutive meetings .... CU will surpass its total 2003 home attendance on Sunday, last year CU brought in 14,273 fans to 11 games, this year CU has already welcomed 14,071 fans in six home games ... Friday night?s match was part of Creighton's homecoming weekend.
