Men's Soccer Starts Practice, Announces Incoming Class
8/13/2010 1:53:00 PM | Men's Soccer
OMAHA, Neb. – The Creighton men's soccer team reports for the 2010 season this Sunday and starts practice on Monday morning. Bluejay head coach Jamie Clark has announced the nine newcomers that will be joining him for their first campaign in Omaha. Clark's first class includes two transfers and a pair of players who have competed for their country's under-20 National Team.
"This is a diverse and exciting group that we welcome to Creighton," said Clark as he prepares for his first practice at Creighton. "These new players have the experience and ability to keep Creighton soccer atop the college soccer scene for many years to come. The blend of Nebraska's best home grown talent, mixed with some special players from around the country has been the recipe for our program's success. We feel confident this group captures that exact formula. I'm excited to watch them grow as individuals, students and soccer players."
Jace Peters, Jr., 6-2, 175, D, Glenwood, Iowa (Glenwood / Doane College)
Peters comes to Omaha after a two-year stint at Doane College in Crete, Neb. He was a team captain during his sophomore season, after which he was named first-team all-conference. In high school at Glenwood (Iowa) High School, this defender was a three-year captain, earning all-state honors as a junior and senior.
Jose Gomez, So., 5-9, 155, M/F, Santa Ana, Calif. (Century / Cal State Fullerton)
Gomez played at Cal State Fullerton as a freshman in 2008 and will join the Bluejays with three years of eligibility remaining. The midfielder-forward started 11 of 15 matches for the Titans and led the team with five assists as a rookie. At Century High School, he was his team's MVP in each of his final three seasons.
Joe Branstetter, Fr., 6-1, 155, D, Omaha, Neb. (Creighton Prep)
Branstetter was an honorable mention all-state performer at Creighton Prep, where he served as team captain for the Junior Jays. The defender also won a pair of state titles while playing club soccer for NFC Bellator.
Nick Golden, Fr., 5-9, 150, M, Auburn, Kan. (Washburn Rural)
Golden was the team captain and team MVP as a senior, when his team won the state title and ranked 11th nationally in the final NSCAA High School poll. The midfielder scored 11 goals and had 12 assists in his final prep campaign, after which he was tabbed first-team all-state for the second straight season.
Nick Goo, Fr., 5-8, 135, M, Kaneohe, Hawaii (Iolani)
Goo was the Hawaii Gatorade Player of the Year as a junior, after he guided his team to a 16-0-1 record and state championship. The midfielder, who twice earned first-team all-state honors at Iolani High School, played club soccer for the Honolulu Bulls.
Liam Kelly, Fr., 5-11, 170, F, Bellevue, Wash. (Bellevue)
Kelly, who was born in Ontario, Canada, is a member of the U-20 Canadian National Team. Earlier this summer, this gifted attacker helped lead the Crossfire Premier Academy to the national title match of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy playoffs. He was an all-conference and all-state performer at Bellevue (Wash.) High School.
Felipe Navarro, Fr., 5-6, 155, M, Kansas City, Mo. (Rockhurst)
Navarro made his debut with the Bluejays in the spring season during his second semester at Creighton. The first-team all-state performer from Missouri, who guided his high school to two state titles, has four years of eligibility remaining.
Tyler Polak, Fr., 5-8, 150, D/M, Lincoln, Neb. (Bradenton [Fla] Prep Academy)
Polak verbally committed to Creighton two years ago, and after garnering a lot of attention while playing for the U-17 and U-20 U.S. National Teams, he begins his career as a Bluejay this weekend. The talented left back made 35 career caps for the U-17 National Team, including a team-high 19 starts in 2009. Among his appearances for the U-17 National Team were the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Nigeria and the U-17 CONCACAF Tournament in Mexico. For his outstanding play, he was one of five finalists for the U.S. Soccer Young Male Athlete of the Year.
Kennedy Spencer, Fr., 5-8, 155, F, Honolulu, Hawaii (Mid-Pacific Institute)
Spencer joins fellow Hawaiian Goo on the mainland this fall. As a senior this forward scored 13 goals and had seven assists while leading his high school team to its second state championship in three years. Spencer, who also played for the Hawaii Rush Soccer Club, was an ESPN Rise All-American and a school record-setting track and field athlete.
Creighton starts its 2010 season with an exhibition match at Denver on Aug. 21. The Jays' first home match is an exhibition against Hastings College on Friday, Aug. 27, before opening the regular-season at Loyola Chicago on Sept. 1.
"This is a diverse and exciting group that we welcome to Creighton," said Clark as he prepares for his first practice at Creighton. "These new players have the experience and ability to keep Creighton soccer atop the college soccer scene for many years to come. The blend of Nebraska's best home grown talent, mixed with some special players from around the country has been the recipe for our program's success. We feel confident this group captures that exact formula. I'm excited to watch them grow as individuals, students and soccer players."
Jace Peters, Jr., 6-2, 175, D, Glenwood, Iowa (Glenwood / Doane College)
Peters comes to Omaha after a two-year stint at Doane College in Crete, Neb. He was a team captain during his sophomore season, after which he was named first-team all-conference. In high school at Glenwood (Iowa) High School, this defender was a three-year captain, earning all-state honors as a junior and senior.
Jose Gomez, So., 5-9, 155, M/F, Santa Ana, Calif. (Century / Cal State Fullerton)
Gomez played at Cal State Fullerton as a freshman in 2008 and will join the Bluejays with three years of eligibility remaining. The midfielder-forward started 11 of 15 matches for the Titans and led the team with five assists as a rookie. At Century High School, he was his team's MVP in each of his final three seasons.
Joe Branstetter, Fr., 6-1, 155, D, Omaha, Neb. (Creighton Prep)
Branstetter was an honorable mention all-state performer at Creighton Prep, where he served as team captain for the Junior Jays. The defender also won a pair of state titles while playing club soccer for NFC Bellator.
Nick Golden, Fr., 5-9, 150, M, Auburn, Kan. (Washburn Rural)
Golden was the team captain and team MVP as a senior, when his team won the state title and ranked 11th nationally in the final NSCAA High School poll. The midfielder scored 11 goals and had 12 assists in his final prep campaign, after which he was tabbed first-team all-state for the second straight season.
Nick Goo, Fr., 5-8, 135, M, Kaneohe, Hawaii (Iolani)
Goo was the Hawaii Gatorade Player of the Year as a junior, after he guided his team to a 16-0-1 record and state championship. The midfielder, who twice earned first-team all-state honors at Iolani High School, played club soccer for the Honolulu Bulls.
Liam Kelly, Fr., 5-11, 170, F, Bellevue, Wash. (Bellevue)
Kelly, who was born in Ontario, Canada, is a member of the U-20 Canadian National Team. Earlier this summer, this gifted attacker helped lead the Crossfire Premier Academy to the national title match of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy playoffs. He was an all-conference and all-state performer at Bellevue (Wash.) High School.
Felipe Navarro, Fr., 5-6, 155, M, Kansas City, Mo. (Rockhurst)
Navarro made his debut with the Bluejays in the spring season during his second semester at Creighton. The first-team all-state performer from Missouri, who guided his high school to two state titles, has four years of eligibility remaining.
Tyler Polak, Fr., 5-8, 150, D/M, Lincoln, Neb. (Bradenton [Fla] Prep Academy)
Polak verbally committed to Creighton two years ago, and after garnering a lot of attention while playing for the U-17 and U-20 U.S. National Teams, he begins his career as a Bluejay this weekend. The talented left back made 35 career caps for the U-17 National Team, including a team-high 19 starts in 2009. Among his appearances for the U-17 National Team were the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Nigeria and the U-17 CONCACAF Tournament in Mexico. For his outstanding play, he was one of five finalists for the U.S. Soccer Young Male Athlete of the Year.
Kennedy Spencer, Fr., 5-8, 155, F, Honolulu, Hawaii (Mid-Pacific Institute)
Spencer joins fellow Hawaiian Goo on the mainland this fall. As a senior this forward scored 13 goals and had seven assists while leading his high school team to its second state championship in three years. Spencer, who also played for the Hawaii Rush Soccer Club, was an ESPN Rise All-American and a school record-setting track and field athlete.
Creighton starts its 2010 season with an exhibition match at Denver on Aug. 21. The Jays' first home match is an exhibition against Hastings College on Friday, Aug. 27, before opening the regular-season at Loyola Chicago on Sept. 1.
Players Mentioned
D
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's Soccer
M/F
/ Men's Soccer
F
/ Men's Soccer
M
/ Men's Soccer
D
/ Men's SoccerD
/ Men's Soccer
D/M
/ Men's Soccer
M/F
/ Men's SoccerCreighton Media Availability Men's Soccer - 11/5/25
Wednesday, November 05
Creighton MSOC Highlights & Postgame vs Seton Hall 11 1 25
Sunday, November 02
Creighton Men's Soccer Media Availability - 10/29/25
Wednesday, October 29
Creighton Men's Soccer Highlights at Butler -10-25-25
Saturday, October 25
