Creighton University
Tulsa
Nash's Hat Trick Lifts No. 4 Jays Past No. 23 Tulsa
10/3/2004 3:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
OMAHA, Neb. - Julian Nash tallied a hat trick as the fourth-ranked Creighton men's soccer team ran over 23rd-ranked Tulsa, 4-0, at the Creighton Soccer Field on Sunday afternoon. The senior came off the bench for the first time this season, unleashing eight shots, converting three goals to lead the Jays to a 7-2-0 overall record, 1-1-0 in the Missouri Valley Conference.
It was Vince Odorisio who got the scoring started on Sunday. The junior took a pass from Matt Wieland and carried the ball deep into the box where he unloaded a blast which skimmed off a Tulsa (4-3-2, 0-1-1 MVC) defender and past the diving Golden Hurricane goalkeeper, Brad Lowyns. Odorisio's third goal of the year came 11:14 into the match.
From there, Nash took over on offense. The powerful forward scored his first goal of the day in the 38th minute. The play started with Jered Turner lofting the ball to Brian Biggerstaff who sent a perfectly placed low pass into the box, where Nash was able to pound it past Lowyns from just a few yards in front.
The California native continued his onslaught in the second half, pushing CU's lead to 3-0 in the 70th minute. Nash once again knocked in a one timer, this time off a set play. A free kick situation just outside the top corner of the box, Tim Bohnenkamp tapped the ball to Odorisio who lofted the ball into the middle, where Nash was ready to pound on it and score again at 69:31.
The senior concluded his scoring by sending in a blast from a tough angle in the 74th minute. Odorisio was once again involved in the scoring, giving a through ball to Nash on the right side. Nash beat Lowyns again at an angle with little room to spare. His four goals on the season now leads the team, while Odorisio now has five assists to tie Nash for the team-lead.
Nash's hat trick was the second in Creighton Soccer Field history, equalling the feat accomplished by Biggerstaff against UMKC in the NCAA Tournament last November. It marked Nash's first career hat trick and gives him 50 career points at Creighton.
On the other end, redshirt freshman Zac Gibbens made his first collegiate start in goal for a sidelined Andrew Brown. After making his college debut on Friday, Gibbens stopped five shots for his first career win and shutout.
The Bluejays are now 2-2-0 against top-25 opponents this season. CU returns to action on the MVC road next weekend. The Jays travel to Bradley on Friday and play at Eastern Illinois on Sunday.
