Creighton University
Western Kentucky
Bluejays Top Hilltoppers, 2-1, on Senior Day
10/17/2004 3:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
OMAHA, Neb. The eighth-ranked men's soccer team defeated Western Kentucky, 2-1, Sunday afternoon at Morrison Stadium. Four Bluejay seniors celebrated Senior Day with the win in their final regular-season home game of the year, improving the Jays record to 11-2-0 and 5-1-0 in the Missouri Valley Conference. All three goals in the match were scored in a six-minute span midway through the first half.
Senior Julian Nash started the scoring with a blast across the net at the 24 minute mark. Nash took a long lead pass from Andrew Peterson down the left side of the field, moved himself into the box and let a shot fly toward the upper right corner, beating WKU keeper Kyle Schroeder for the game's first goal.
The Hilltoppers (5-9-0, 1-5-0 MVC) didn't wait long to answer, tying the game less than three minutes later. Richard Mupfudze pounced on a throw in from Wade Roepke and found the back of the net from about five yards in front at the 26:54 mark.
For the second consecutive contest, the game-winning goal was provided by Brian Biggerstaff. Vince Odorisio lofted a free kick from just across midfield into the box, where Biggerstaff was able to head the ball past Schroeder for the winner. Biggerstaff's goal in the 30th minute was his sixth of the season, tying Nash for the team-lead.
Senior Andrew Brown returned from an injury, which had sidelined him for two weeks, to start the game in goal. Brown made three saves and allowed one goal while improving his record to 6-2-0 this season. It was freshman keeper Matt Allen who helped CU withstand a hard-charging WKU offense in the second half. The Omaha Burke graduate stopped six shots in the second half to preserve the victory.
Allen's sprawling save with just over six minutes in regulation helped keep WKU off the board in the second half. WKU's Trey Alexander followed Allen's save by nailing a shot which skidded across the crossbar, but did not cross the goal line for a score. The Hilltoppers out-shot CU 13-5 in the second half, but could not beat the steady Bluejay defense.
Seniors Brett Rodriguez and Kama Bennah, along with Brown and Nash were honored with an on-field ceremony after the win.
The Bluejays will return to action next Saturday when they travel to play at Drake. The Jays and Bulldogs will kickoff at 7 p.m. in Des Moines on Oct. 23.
