Jays Host Zips, Scarlet Knights and Cougars in Ameritas Classic
8/28/2012 11:18:00 PM | Men's Soccer
OMAHA, Neb. - The No. 2 Creighton Bluejay host No. 7 Akron, Rutgers and SIU Edwardsville in the Ameritas Classic this weekend in Morrison Stadium.
Scouting the No. 2 Creighton Bluejays (1-0-0):
Coming off a 3-1 victory over Northern Illinois to open the season the Jays moved to No. 2 in the NSCAA poll. The Huskies took a 1-0 in the 67th minute, but Creighton responded quickly behind junior Sean Kim. The jc transfer notched his first goal as a Bluejay at the 68:24 mark, taking a pass from sophomore Jose Ribas then firing it right to left.
Tied at 1-1 the night skies turned into sheets of rain. The results was more opportunities to score, something the Jays took full advantage of.
The 80th minute of the game saw junior Carlos McCrary display some spectacular skills. McCrary took a pass from freshman Timo Pitter about 30 yards in front of the net, dribbled past two defenders and finally fired in his first goal for Creighton.
Just over six minutes later at 86:16 Kim put the game out of reach with his second goal of the game. Kim grabbed possession after a fierce shot from Pitter was deflected to the right. Kim sent home his second goal off his right foot to the right corner.
For Northern Illinois it was the second consecutive loss to Creighton in Morrison Stadium as the Jays eliminated the Huskies from the NCAA Tournament, 3-0, to end the Huskies' 2011 season on Nov. 20.
Creighton will get another tough test this weekend as the Bluejays face No. 7 Akron in the opening contest for each team at the Ameritas Classic in Morrison Stadium on Friday, Aug. 31 at 7:30 p.m. On Sunday, Sept. 2, Creighton plays Rutgers at 2:30 p.m.
Scouting the No. 7 Akron Zips (1-0-0):
The Zips opened the 2012 season with an easy 4-0 win over Florida Gulf Coast on Friday night. Four different players scored for Akron. Junior midfielder Eric Stevenson led the offensive barrage with three points. Stevenson connected on the first goal of the contest from 20 yards out at 19:16, then assisted the Zips second goal at 56:30.
Akron returns eight of 11 starters from the 2011 team that finished 15-4-4. Like the Jays, the Zips season was ended by Charlotte as Akron fell to the 49ers, 1-0, in the third round of the NCAA Tournament.
Scouting the Rutgers Scarlet Knights (1-0-0):
Rutgers earned a 1-0 win over Fordham to open the season, behind a goal from freshman Mitchell Taintor in the sixth minute of the match.
The Scarlet Knights finished 2011 with a 10-7-4 record. Rutgers returns six starters from the 2011 squad, including the top two scorers in sophomore forward Juan Pablo Correa and junior forward Kene Eze. Correa, an All-Big East Rookie Team selection, had a team-high 17 points on six goals and five assists, while Eze tallied 15 points (six goals and three assists).
Goalkeeper Kevin McMullen also returns to the net as logging 1856 minutes for Rutgers last season. McMullen posted three shutouts in 2011 and already has one this season.
Scouting the Southern Illinois Edwardsville Cougars (2-0-0):
The SIUE Cougars were the only team in the Ameritas Classic field to play in two contests during the opening weekend. SIUE downed Virginia Tech, 3-1, to open the season, then upset No. 19 James Madison, 1-0, on Sunday, Aug. 26. The Cougars claimed the Hilton Garden Inn Hokie Invitational with the two victories and now are receiving votes in the NSCAA Top-25 poll. Senior Jared Tejada led SIUE to its two victories with goals in each contest.
SIUE posted an 8-8-4 record in 2011. The Cougars return seven starters from their 2011 squad. Sophomore Matt Polster is the returning leading scorer, posting three goals and six assists for a combined 12 points.
