Creighton University
4-0-1
Saint Mary's (Calif.)
1-1-2
Sophomore Jose Ribas Leads No. 3 Jays to 1-0 win over Saint Mary's
9/9/2012 7:53:00 PM | Men's Soccer
MORAGA, Calif. - The No. 3 Creighton men's soccer team posted its third consecutive shutout of 2012, 1-0, over Saint Mary's on Sunday, Sept. 9.
With the win the Bluejays moved to 4-0-1 on the season, while Saint Mary's fell to 1-1-2. Creighton's victory extends the Jays unbeaten streak against California schools to 18 matches (15-0-3).
The first half got off to a slow start as the Gaels and Jays spent the opening 10 minutes feeling each other out. Creighton managed the only offensive threat as the Jays created a corner kick chance in the seventh minute. The first shot of the game did not come until the 13th minute as freshman Timo Pitter sailed a shot high.
The battle continued through the first half, with each team misfiring on scoring chances, sending the match to the break scoreless.
Early in the second period the Jays converted their first scoring chance of the half as Pitter sent a ball towards middle. Sophomore Jose Ribas tracked the ball and headed it off the bottom of the crossbar and into the back of the net at the 47:31 mark. It was Ribas' first goal of the season, while Pitter picked up his second assist.
Following the Jays' goal, both teams missed corner kick opportunities as a result of strong defensive play. The Gaels best chance to tie the match came in the 78th minute as Saint Mary's notched two corner kicks. Creighton, however, was able to defuse the threat by preventing a shot on the first corner, then redshirt freshman keeper Jeff Gal saved a header by Saint Mary's Trevor Newquist to preserve the Jays' 1-0 edge.
Gal made his second start of the season in goal for the Bluejays, finishing with three saves as he earned his first intercollegiate shutout. Andre Rawls was the keeper for the Gaels, allowing one goal and making one save.
The physically intense matchup resulted in five yellow cards being issue throughout the match, two to Creighton and three to Saint Mary's.
The Jays were outshot 7-6 in the match, while the Jays held a 6-5 edge in corner kicks.
Creighton returns to the pitch on Friday, Sept. 14 as the Jays host Drake, Old Dominion and William & Mary in the Creighton Invitational at Morrison Stadium. Creighton faces Old Dominion at 7:30 p.m., while Drake and William & Mary meet at 5 p.m.
Team Stats
Ribas, Jose (1)
Assisted By: Pitter, Timo
Header off cross in the box, in front of
47:31
