Creighton University
Eastern Illinois
Bluejays Tame Panthers 2-0; Play for 10th Tournament Title Sunday
11/4/2006 2:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Kraus got the Bluejays on the board just 6:06 into the match when he flipped in a header off of Andrew Peterson's perfectly placed corner kick. The score came on CU's first corner of the match, after the Jays took 18 corner kicks last weekend on the same pitch without converting. The goal was Kraus' team-leading sixth of the season, and his conference best fifth game-winner.
Creighton held on to the one-goal lead until the 74th minute when senior Jarod Tarver found the back of the net on a one touch pass from Kraus. The goal was set up by some fancy footwork by Byron Dacy at the top of the 18-yard box. After beating a few EIU defenders, Dacy then swung the ball out wide to Kraus who sent the crossing pass to Tarver from the end line. Tarver slammed the ball into the back of the net from just a few yards in front of the goal. It was Tarver's third goal of the season, while Dacy's assist on the play ties him for the team-lead with six helpers.
EIU (11-7-2) ended up with a slight 10-9 shots advantage, but the Bluejays managed to keep control of the physical match. CU was whistled for 23 fouls, to the Panthers' 21, while the Bluejays were assessed three yellow cards after being booked just five times in six regular-season conference matches.
Junior goalkeeper Matt Allen, the MVC Defensive Player of the Year, stopped four shots in between the pipes to earn his eighth and team's ninth shutout of the season. He has now been in goal for three-straight shutouts in MVC tournament play, a first in school history.
Creighton advances to face the winner of the other Friday night semifinal between Drake and Bradley. The championship match will kickoff Sunday at 1 p.m. and be televised live on Fox Sports Midwest.
