
Bluejays Cruise Past Hilltoppers, 4-0, in MVC Opener
9/30/2006 3:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
OMAHA, Neb. - Creighton's offense continued to click Saturday night at Morrison Stadium, as the Bluejays' crushed Western Kentucky 4-0 in the Missouri Valley Conference men's soccer opener for both squads. The Bluejays upped their overall record to 6-3-2, having scored 10 goals in their last two matches after combining for 11 in their first nine contests.
Creighton controlled play throughout the match, but did not get on the board until the 43rd minute when Pietari Holopainen scored his first career goal. The Finland native started in the midfield Saturday, as he and fellow midfielder Jarod Tarver played give-and-go for the goal at 42:24.
The Jays out-shot WKU (3-6-1, 0-1-0 MVC) in the first half 7-5, but none of the Hilltopper shots came from within 20 yards of the goal.
For the second straight match, Creighton completely dominated its opponent in the second half. After a six-goal second-half outburst in a 6-1 win over Central Arkansas Wednesday night in which the Jays out-shot UCA 14-1 in the second half, the Jays continued that trend in their win over WKU. The Jays scored three times and held a 15-1 advantage in shots after the break.
Freshman Mo Travis scored his third goal of the season in the 60th minute on a well developed play. The rookie only had to touch the ball into the net from close range after Jeff Thayer and Tarver worked around the WKU defense to set up the score.
In the 67th minute, senior Tony Odorisio scored his first goal in two years when he tapped in a feed from Ryan Junge. Junge headed the ball off a Holopainen corner kick for the tally.
The scoring concluded in the 79th minute on Thayer's third goal of the season. The freshman's blast from the top of the box was set up on passes from Byron Dacy and Danny Minutillo.
Pat Rickman stopped seven shots in net for the Hilltoppers, while Matt Allen was the benefactor of stellar ball control by his offense and solid team defense, as he stopped three shots to preserve CU's fifth shutout of the season.
The Jays improve to 10-1-0 all-time against WKU, while they are now 11-2-3 all-time in MVC openers, including 7-1-2 under Bob Warming.
Creighton, which went 6-1-2 in September, hits the road for its next match at Missouri State on Wednesday night.
Creighton controlled play throughout the match, but did not get on the board until the 43rd minute when Pietari Holopainen scored his first career goal. The Finland native started in the midfield Saturday, as he and fellow midfielder Jarod Tarver played give-and-go for the goal at 42:24.
The Jays out-shot WKU (3-6-1, 0-1-0 MVC) in the first half 7-5, but none of the Hilltopper shots came from within 20 yards of the goal.
For the second straight match, Creighton completely dominated its opponent in the second half. After a six-goal second-half outburst in a 6-1 win over Central Arkansas Wednesday night in which the Jays out-shot UCA 14-1 in the second half, the Jays continued that trend in their win over WKU. The Jays scored three times and held a 15-1 advantage in shots after the break.
Freshman Mo Travis scored his third goal of the season in the 60th minute on a well developed play. The rookie only had to touch the ball into the net from close range after Jeff Thayer and Tarver worked around the WKU defense to set up the score.
In the 67th minute, senior Tony Odorisio scored his first goal in two years when he tapped in a feed from Ryan Junge. Junge headed the ball off a Holopainen corner kick for the tally.
The scoring concluded in the 79th minute on Thayer's third goal of the season. The freshman's blast from the top of the box was set up on passes from Byron Dacy and Danny Minutillo.
Pat Rickman stopped seven shots in net for the Hilltoppers, while Matt Allen was the benefactor of stellar ball control by his offense and solid team defense, as he stopped three shots to preserve CU's fifth shutout of the season.
The Jays improve to 10-1-0 all-time against WKU, while they are now 11-2-3 all-time in MVC openers, including 7-1-2 under Bob Warming.
Creighton, which went 6-1-2 in September, hits the road for its next match at Missouri State on Wednesday night.
Players Mentioned
Creighton MSOC Highlights & Postgame vs Xavier-10-11-25
Sunday, October 12
Creighton Men's Soccer Media Availability 9/30/25
Tuesday, September 30
Creighton Men's Soccer Highlights at DePaul - 9-27-25
Saturday, September 27
Creighton Men's Soccer Media Availability 9/24/25
Thursday, September 25