Creighton University
DePaul
No. 5 Men's Soccer Wins 1-0 in 109th Minute at DePaul
9/11/2011 6:33:00 PM | Men's Soccer
CHICAGO - It took extra time on Sunday, but the fifth-ranked Creighton men's soccer team remained unbeaten and unscored upon in 2011 with a 1-0 double overtime win at DePaul on Sunday afternoon. Sophomore transfer Bruno Castro scored the game-winning goal with just 95 seconds left in the second overtime to help the Bluejays improve to 5-0-0 on the season with their fifth straight shutout to start the season.
In a physical match which featured a total of 47 fouls and four yellow cards, the Bluejays came out victorious by continuing to attack the Blue Demons (1-3-0) defense. After a scoreless regulation, the Bluejays attempted two shots in the first overtime, including a header attempt by Dion Acoff which was saved by DePaul goalkeeper Joe Ferrari.
Bluejay goalkeeper Brian Holt made his third and final save of the match just 61 seconds into the second overtime period, before the Bluejays took it at DePaul.
Junior Jose Gomez was awarded a penalty kick in the 105th minute after a handball was whistled on DePaul on a Bluejay cross into the box. Gomez, who converted Creighton's only previous PK this year at UMKC, missed his attempt and the match continued.
Between the 105th minute and the game-winning score, DePaul was handed two yellow cards, including one which set up the game's only goal. The Bluejays free kick which resulted from DePaul's third yellow card of the match, was set up just outside of the 18-yard box. Castro, in his first season with the Bluejays after spending his rookie season at North Carolina last year, stepped up and drilled the game-winning goal. It was his team-leading third goal of the season and his first game-winner.
"It was a tough match obviously, with us having played on Friday and DePaul having not played in a week," said Elmar Bolowich after his record remained perfect as Creighton's head coach. "We were a little fatigued, but we fought through it and did not surrender any goals or really any good looks at the goal. It was just a matter of getting a bounce to go our way. When we finally got one, Bruno took advantage of it and executed his free kick perfectly."
Creighton is now 5-0-0 for the first time since the 2000 NCAA National runner-up Bluejay team started 6-0 and it has posted five straight shutouts for the first time since setting a school record with six consecutive clean sheets in 2008. The Bluejays have not allowed a goal this year and Holt has logged four solo shutouts to add to his MVC and school record for career shutouts, as Sunday was the 31st clean sheet of his career.
The Bluejays return home to start a three-match home stand on Saturday when they play host to 2010 NCAA Tournament team Providence. The Bluejays and Friars will kickoff at 6 pm on Saturday night at Morrison Stadium.
