#3 Men's Soccer To Host CSUN; #13 UC Irvine This Weekend
9/2/2015 10:05:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Game 3 • Friday, Sept. 4 • CSUN at #3 Creighton • Omaha, Neb. • 7:30 pm
Game 4 • Sunday, Sept. 6 • #13 UC Irvine at #3 Creighton • Omaha, Neb. • 7:00 pm
Up Next
Third-ranked Creighton Men's Soccer (2-0-0) hosts Socctoberfest on Friday, Sept. 4 when it hosts CSUN (1-0-0) at 7:30 pm at Morrison Stadium.
On Sunday, the Bluejays remain at home when they welcome No. 13 UC Irvine (1-0-0) to Omaha in a 7 pm contest.
Both contests are preceded by Creighton Women's Soccer home games.
Follow The Match
Both games this weekend will have a free high-definition video webcast via Jays Video. To access the feed, click on the TV screen icon on the top right corner of GoCreighton.com.
Live stats of each match will be available at http://Creighton.StatBroadcast.com.
Socctoberfest Returns!
The 4th Annual Creighton Socctoberfest, a celebration of the Bluejay men's and women's soccer programs, will be held inside Michael G. Morrison, S.J., Stadium on the north end on Friday, Sept. 4 starting at 4:00 p.m., in conjunction with the women's soccer match against Nebraska-Omaha (5:00 p.m., kick-off) and the men's soccer match against CSUN (7:30 p.m., kick-off).
The event is open to all Creighton fans and cost is $20 per person for advance reservations and $25 per person at the door. The event includes a live band, a commemorative 32-ounce Creighton Socctoberfest glass stein, a 32-ounce draw and a meal ticket (bratwurst, sauerkraut, chips and a German potato salad). Additional 32-ounce draw refills will also be available for purchase at $7 each. Proof of age will be required at the event's entrance and wristbands will be affixed to those of legal drinking age.
Walk-ins are welcome but register in advance online to make sure you secure your commemorative Socctoberfest stein at www.creighton.edu/athleticevents. For more information or to make a reservation by phone or e-mail, contact Barb Epps (402-280-5577, bepps@creighton.edu).
Scouting Creighton
Creighton is 2-0-0 on the young season after shutout wins last weekend over Michigan (1-0) and Milwaukee (4-0). The Bluejays return eight starters and 13 lettermen from last year's team that won the BIG EAST Conference regular-season title, advanced to the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals and finished last season ranked No. 7 in the year-end NSCAA poll.
Creighton returns 30 of its 32 goals from last year, including each of its top six scorers. The Bluejays also return 24-of-30 assists from a year ago, and all but five minutes of the nearly 2,044 minutes in goal from last season.
Junior Fabian Herbers (2g, 1a this year) earned First Team All-America accolades and BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year honors after a magnificent 2014 season. He led the conference with 28 points, was second in the league with four game-winning goals, and third in both goals (10) and assists (8). Herbers is also a standout in the classroom and was a Third Team CoSIDA Academic All-American last year.
Senior Timo Pitter (1g this year) paced the league in assists (9), shots (75) and shots on goal (36) during a 2014 campaign that saw him add Second Team All-America plaudits. Pitter was also named BIG EAST Midfielder of the Year in 2014.
Senior goalkeeper Connor Sparrow (0.00 GAA this year) returns in net after ranking second nationally in goals against average (0.49) and 10th in save percentage (.841) a year ago. Sparrow's career 0.44 goals against average as a Bluejay is the best in Creighton history among goalies with at least 2,000 minutes in net. He is the reigning BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Week.
Scouting CSUN
Located in Northridge, Calif., CSUN is 1-0-0 on the season after a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Loyola Chicago on Sunday night.
The Matadors trailed 1-0 after allowing a goal in the eighth minute, only to rally with second half scores by Steven Manios and Shane Steffes for the win. Adam Hobbs made his 40th career start in goal and earned his 22nd career victory.
Last year CSUN was 7-9-2, but 17th-year coach Terry Davila brings back 16 lettermen and seven starters to the pitch. That group includes two-time First Team All-Big West honoree Juan Fernando Samayoa and Second Team All-Big West selection Patrick Hickman.
Series History vs. CSUN
Creighton won the only previous meeting with CSUN, 1-0, on a penalty kick by Andrei Gotsmanov in the 105th minute on Oct. 1, 2008. Creighton had 19 shots against the Matador defense in the match, while both keepers notched four saves.
Scouting UC Irvine
Ranked No. 13 nationally, the Anteaters head to Nebraska with a 1-0-0 record prior to Friday's match-up at Omaha before heading down Dodge Street to meet Creighton.
UCI defeated Loyola Chicago, 1-0, on Friday in the lone game to date behind a clean sheet from Michael Breslin and a goal in the 71st minute by Edgardo Molina.
The Anteaters were 16-6-3 last season and defeated UNLV and Stanford before being eliminated in the third round of the NCAA Tournament at Providence, 1-0.
From that group, second-year coach Chris Volk returns 16 lettermen and six starters.
Series History vs. UC Irvine
Creighton won the only previous meeting against UC Irvine, 3-1, on Oct. 15, 2011 at Morrison Stadium. In that contest, Ethan Finlay scored in the fifth, 62nd and 88th minute to deliver CU's first hat trick since 2004. Brian Holt notched two saves in net for CU, which outshot the Anteaters 18-5 overall.
California Dreaming
When playing CSUN and UC Irvine, Creighton will look to improve upon its 18-0-3 record against California-based schools in its last 21 games, including 16 straight victories.
The Jays won both matches against teams from the Golden State in 2014 defeating both Stanford (2-0) and Santa Clara (1-0) to open the season.
The streak includes matches against 13 different California-based schools, an 8-0-1 mark against ranked teams, and an active streak of shutout minutes at 461:16 entering Friday's game.
Creighton has outscored teams 32-8 during the 21-game unbeaten spell, including a 24-2 margin during the 16-game win streak.
Creighton has not trailed against any California team since the 77th minute against San Diego State on Aug. 31, 2007. Since then, CU has been leading or tied for a span of 1600:11 against California clubs.
Creighton's last loss to a team from California came on Sept. 7, 2003 a 2-1 loss at Loyola Marymount when the Lions scored in the final five seconds of the second overtime.
Last 21 Games vs. California Teams
Date Opponent Score
11/26/03 at San Diego T 1-1 (2 OT)
9/5/04 Loyola Marymount W 2-1
9/10/04 vs. #6 UCLA W 3-2
8/31/07 San Diego State T 2-2 (2OT)
9/6/07 #11 UCLA T 0-0 (2OT)
9/15/07 vs. Loyola Marymount W 1-0 (OT)
9/7/08 UC Riverside W 2-0
9/19/8 at Stanford W 1-0
9/21/08 at #6 California W 2-0
10/01/08 CSUN W 1-0 (2OT)
9/5/09 #23 Cal Poly W 1-0
10/31/09 #7 UCLA W 1-0
9/7/10 at #21 UCSB W 1-0
9/24/11 Saint Mary's W 1-0
10/15/11 #7 UC Irvine W 3-1
11/27/11 #13 UCSB W 2-1
9/7/12 at Santa Clara W 1-0
9/9/12 at Saint Mary's W 1-0
9/1/13 Cal Poly W 3-0
8/29/14 #20 Stanford W 2-0
8/31/14 Santa Clara W 1-0
Top 10 Jays, Again
Creighton was ranked sixth nationally in the preseason edition of the NSCAA Top 25 Coaches poll, and is now ranked third by the NSCAA, College Soccer News, Soccer America and Top Drawer Soccer.
This is the fourth time in the last five years the Bluejays have been ranked in the top-10 of the preseason poll, and 11th time since 1998.
Creighton has now spent at least one week in the top 10 of the NSCAA poll in each of the last 24 seasons.
Against The Top 25
Creighton brings a 70-47-14 (.588) all-time record against the Top 25 when it hosts No. 13 UC Irvine on Sunday evening.
That mark includes a 38-12-3 (.745) mark at all home sites versus top-25 foes.
Creighton is 9-0-2 (.909) against top-13 teams at Morrison Stadium, and is 28-5-2 (.829) overall at Morrison against top-25 clubs.
Even more impressive, in the 11 games at Morrison Stadium against top-13 teams, Creighton has never trailed during 1054:46 minutes of play.
Herbers Play Gets Noticed
Fabian Herbers was a First Team All-American last year, and the junior has picked up where he's left off as the forward was named to College Soccer News' National Team of the Week on Aug. 31 and the Top Drawer Soccer National Team of the Week on Sept. 1.
Herbers scored the only goal in CU's 1-0 victory over Michigan in the opener, then had a goal and an assist in Sunday's 4-0 win over Milwaukee.
In four games against outside competition this year (two exhibtions, two regular-season games), Herbers owns four goals and five assists:
Opponent Goals Assists Final Score
at Bradley (Ex.) 1 2 W 3-0
Northwestern (Ex.) 1 2 W 5-0
Michigan 1 0 W 1-0
Milwaukee 1 1 W 4-0
Total (4 games) 4 5 CU 13-0
Dynamic Duo
Timo Pitter and Fabian Herbers form one of the nation's top offensive duos, and the numbers continue to bear that out.
Either Pitter or Herbers has scored or assisted on 27 of Creighton's 37 goals since the start of the 2014 season, including 24-of-32 tallies a year ago.
That pair have combined for 19 goals and 18 assists in that span. Eight of those 19 goals have been assisted by the other half of their star duo.
Weekly Awards
Connor Sparrow was named BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Week after a posting a pair of shutouts last weekend. It's the fourth such honor of his Creighton career, and second straight season he's won the honor following the opening weekend of the fall.
In 19 career starts in a Bluejay uniform at Morrison Stadium, Sparrow has never allowed a first half goal.
Eric Miller Joins U23 National Team Camp
Former Creighton star Eric Miller has been selected by the United States U23 national team to take part in the final training camp and two friendly games in preparation for the 2015 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament in October.
The camp will run in Manchester, England, from August 30 to September 8, and will feature friendlies against England on September 3 at Deepdale Stadium in Preston, and Qatar on September 8 at Gigg Lane in Bury.
At the international level, Miller took part in a friendly match with the U23's against Brazil in 2014. He also played with the U20 and U18 U.S. national selections, taking part in the 2013 Toulon Tournament and the 2013 FIFA U20 World Cup in Turkey.
Miller, the fifth overall pick in the 2014 MLS Super Draft, has started 22-of-28 career games in the MLS with the Montreal Impact.
Ethan Finlay, All-Star
Eric Miller isn't the only former Bluejay to make waves, as his former Creighton teammate Ethan Finlay is also having a splendid summer.
Finlay entered the week second in the MLS with 13 assists to go with eight goals in 27 games with the Columbus Crew this year.
Earlier this summer, Finlay played in the MLS All-Star Game.
Finlay played at Creighton from 2008-11, leading the Bluejays to a pair of College Cups before being 10th overall in the 2012 MLS Super Draft.
Jays Favored In Preseason BIG EAST Poll
Creighton and Georgetown tied for first in the preseason BIG EAST poll that was released on Aug. 18th. Both teams had 77 points and five first-place votes in the poll.
GK Connor Sparrow, M Timo Pitter and F Fabian Herbers were each named to the Preseason All-BIG EAST Team. Pitter was a unanimous selection, while Sparrow was named BIG EAST Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year.
This is the eighth time in the last 11 years, and 15th time since 1990, that Creighton has been picked to win its league in the preseason.
Opening Up
Including last Friday's triumph over Michigan, Creighton has now won its last six season-opening match-ups, including three straight shutout victories.
CU's unbeaten streak on Opening Day stretches to nine (7-0-2) in season-opening matches if you go back to a 2007 tie vs. San Diego State, and the Jays are 13-1-6 in its last 20 season lid-lifters.
Creighton is 18-2-6 in season-openers since reinstating soccer in 1990, and 22-5-6 all-time in season-opening matches overall.
Freshmen, In Openers
Last Friday Joel Rydstrand became Creighton's sixth true freshman to start a season-opener under Elmar Bolowich.
Each of the previous five men developed into key players for the program.
Last year it was Ricky Lopez-Espin, and in 2013 it was Fabian Herbers.
In 2012, both Vincent Keller and Timo Pitter started on opening night, while in 2011 it was Eric Miller.
Turning Two A Good Start
Creighton has not lost either of its first two games in any of the previous nine seasons, a streak it continued last weekend. In that time, the Bluejays have started 2-0-0 six times and 1-0-1 on three occasions.
This is the third straight season, and fourth time in five years, that Creighton has opened with consecutive shutout wins.
First Two Games, Last Nine Seasons
Year 1st Game 2nd Game
2007 T 2-2 (2ot) W 3-0
2008 W 4-1 W 4-0
2009 T 0-0 (2ot) W 1-0
2010 W 2-0 W 4-0
2011 W 1-0 W 5-0
2012 W 3-1 T 1-1 (2ot)
2013 W 2-0 W 3-0
2014 W 2-0 W 1-0
2015 W 1-0 W 4-0
Perennial Power
Creighton won the program's first BIG EAST title last season when it claimed the regular-season crown with a 7-1-1 mark.
The Bluejays now own 13 regular-season and 13 conference tournament titles in program history, all since 1992.
Another Strong Class
College Soccer News has dubbed Creighton's recruiting class as the nation's 31st best. Among the newcomers the website highlights are Evan Waldrep, Jacob Rooth and Peter Prescott.
Top 10 Crowds
Creighton finished last season 10th nationally in average home attendance and fifth overall in total home attendance.
It was the 11th straight season the Bluejays have finished in the top-10 nationally in average home attendance.
Creighton is currently averaging 3,543 fans through two home dates, including 4,838 fans for Michigan on Aug. 28. That ranks as the largest crowd in school history to witness a season-opener.
Herbers & Pitter Earn Preseason Acclaim
Fabian Herbers and Timo Pitter have both been recognized nationally in the preseason. Both men are among the 30 players on the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List. Creighton is one of six schools with two players on the list, joining Charlotte, CSU Bakersfield, Georgetown, Kentucky and Stanford.
Top Drawer Soccer also honored Herbers and Pitter on their Preseason Best XI Teams. Herbers was a first-team pick at forward, while Pitter was a second-teamer as a midfielder.
College Soccer News also acknowledged Herbers and Pitter on its Preseason All-America Teams. Herbers was a first-team choice at forward, while Pitter was a second-team midfielder.
Top 100 Trio
Fabian Herbers, Timo Pitter and Connor Sparrow all earned a spot on Top Drawer Soccer's Preseason Top 100 list of the nation's top players. Herbers checked in at No. 5, while Pitter (No. 18) and Sparrow (No. 74) made the Bluejays one of eight teams nationally with three players in the top-75.
Sparrow A Rare Bird
Senior GK Connor Sparrow remains Creighton's all-time leader in goals against average, allowing just 0.44 goals per 90 minutes in a Bluejay uniform.
Sparrow's numbers are even more impressive at home, where he owns a 0.36 GAA in a Creighton uniform at Morrison Stadium.
Of the 13 goals that Sparrow has allowed as a Bluejay, only one has come prior to halftime.
Sparrow also moved into sixth place on Creighton's all-time leaders in winning percentage with a .759 win percentage. He can move into fifth place with a win on Friday, passing Kevin Doyle (.761).
Tough 2015 Slate
The Bluejays' 2015 schedule features five regular-season contests against teams that were nationally-ranked in the preseason NSCAA poll, as CU meets No. 3 Georgetown, No. 7 Providence, No. 9 Michigan State, No. 19 Xavier and No. 20 UC Irvine.
Creighton also has a game vs. Tulsa and won an exhibition vs. Northwestern, two teams that were listed among those 'also receiving votes.”
All told, Creighton's 2015 schedule will see
it face nine teams that finished last year in the top 55 of the RPI, including five games against teams that reached the Sweet 16.
Bolowich Keeps CU Winning
Creighton ranks tied for second nationally with 65 wins in the last five years, which coincides with the arrival of head coach Elmar Bolowich. Bolowich was named BIG EAST Co-Coach of the Year last season after helping the Bluejays to a league title.
Below is a list of the nation's most wins since Bolowich arrived before the 2011 season, through games of Sept. 3, 2015.
2011-14 2015 Total Next
Rk. Team Wins Wins Wins Game
1. Coastal Carolina 73 2 75 9/4
2. Creighton 63 2 65 9/4
Maryland 64 1 65 9/4
4. Akron 63 1 64 9/4
5. North Carolina 61 2 63 9/4
You Play To Win The Game
Creighton's 16-3-3 record last year led the nation in winning percentage (.795). The Bluejays were eliminated from the NCAA Tournament after falling in penalty kicks vs. UMBC during the team's 10th appearance in the national quarterfinals in the last 19 years.
So Close
Each of Creighton's last 14 losses have been by a single goal, including every setback in 2013 and 2014.
Creighton has fallen behind by two goals just four times in 92 games under Elmar Bolowich, and lost by two goals just twice.
Streaks To Watch
Creighton is 36-0-2 under Elmar Bolowich when leading at halftime.
Creighton is 17-0-1 in its last 18 games when scoring first, and 57-3-2 under Bolowich.
Creighton has not trailed at half in any of its last 25 games. The last time CU trailed at the break was Nov. 12, 2013, when Providence scored in the final 10 seconds of the first half to take a 1-0 lead into the locker room.
Creighton is 13-0-0 in home matches under Bolowich that kickoff prior to 6 pm.
Sunday Funday
Creighton is 19-1-1 on Sunday's under Elmar Bolowich. CU was 4-0-0 on the day last season, and its only loss on a Sunday came vs. William & Mary (3-2 in double-OT) during the 2013 campaign.
Creighton has outscored the opposition 42-10 in those Sunday games.
Creighton Soccer's European Vacation
Creighton spent nearly two weeks in Europe in early July, spending most of that time in Germany and Austria. The team went 2-2-0 against strong competition, but also bonded in a foreign culture that included trips Neuschwanstein Castle, Allianz Arena and Munich's Olympic Stadium, among other areas.
O Captain! My Captain!
Seniors Vincent Keller and Eric DeJulio have been named captains on this year's team. Both men started all 22 games a season ago for Creighton's BIG EAST champion club.
2015 Creighton Outlook
Expectations for 2015 are sky-high for a Creighton program that went 16-3-3 and led the nation in winning percentage a year ago en route to its first BIG EAST regular-season title.
A top-notch recruiting class helps support the return of eight starters, including the BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year (Fabian Herbers) and the BIG EAST Midfielder of the Year (Timo Pitter) for fifth-year head coach Elmar Bolowich, last year's BIG EAST Coach of the Year. In all, 30-of-32 goals scored and all but five goalkeeping minutes return to a program that seeks a sixth College Cup appearance in the past 20 seasons.
Herbers earned First Team All-America accolades and top honors from the BIG EAST after a magnificent sophomore season. He led the conference with 28 points, was second in the league with four game-winning goals, and third in both goals (10) and assists (8).
Pitter paced the league in assists (9), shots (75) and shots on goal (36) during a junior campaign that saw him add Second Team All-America plaudits.
The Jays also boast four other returners who scored multiple times in 2014. Midfielder Lucas Stauffer had four goals and a pair of assists to earn a spot on the BIG EAST All-Freshman Team, while classmate Ricky Lopez-Espin was one of the nation's most impressive freshmen before a knee injury in early October ended his season prematurely.
Helping to distribute in the midfield are junior Ricardo Perez and the sophomore duo of Fernando Castellanos and Noah Franke who combined for five goals and four assists a year ago.
The return of Myles Englis from injury, plus recruits like Joel Rystrand, Evan Waldrep and Bryce Gibson should give CU plenty of offensive firepower.
Creighton's defense figures to remain strong and experienced, as well, paced by the return of seniors Eric DeJulio, Mike Paye, Vincent Keller and Connor Sparrow. An influx of talented defenders, headed by Peter Prescott and Felix Kollmannthaler, will also contend for playing time.
Sparrow finished second nationally in goals against average (0.49 GAA) and 10th in save percentage (.841), allowing just 11 scores in 22 contests.
Impressively, Creighton allowed just one first half goal during the 2014 campaign.
DeJulio was the only Bluejay to play every minute last season, while Keller was nearly as durable, starting all 22 contests.
Creighton has annually played one of the top schedules in college soccer, and the 2015 campaign figures to be no different.
Half of Creighton's 18 opponents on the docket finished with top-55 RPI's nationally a year ago, including non-conference showdowns vs. Michigan State, UC Irvine, Tulsa and CSUN.
Creighton also faces a rigorous BIG EAST slate, which features the likes of Georgetown, Providence, Xavier and Marquette in a league that was tabbed third nationally in the final 2014 RPI.
Fueling expectations for Creighton was a foreign trip to Europe for two weeks in July.
While away, the team played against some top clubs from both Germany and Austria, finishing with a 2-2-0 record.
In addition to the extra competition, the team bonded off-the-field while adjusting a new culture and visiting many international landmarks such as Allianz Arena, Neuschwanstein Castle and the former Olympic Stadium in Munich.
Game 4 • Sunday, Sept. 6 • #13 UC Irvine at #3 Creighton • Omaha, Neb. • 7:00 pm
Up Next
Third-ranked Creighton Men's Soccer (2-0-0) hosts Socctoberfest on Friday, Sept. 4 when it hosts CSUN (1-0-0) at 7:30 pm at Morrison Stadium.
On Sunday, the Bluejays remain at home when they welcome No. 13 UC Irvine (1-0-0) to Omaha in a 7 pm contest.
Both contests are preceded by Creighton Women's Soccer home games.
Follow The Match
Both games this weekend will have a free high-definition video webcast via Jays Video. To access the feed, click on the TV screen icon on the top right corner of GoCreighton.com.
Live stats of each match will be available at http://Creighton.StatBroadcast.com.
Socctoberfest Returns!
The 4th Annual Creighton Socctoberfest, a celebration of the Bluejay men's and women's soccer programs, will be held inside Michael G. Morrison, S.J., Stadium on the north end on Friday, Sept. 4 starting at 4:00 p.m., in conjunction with the women's soccer match against Nebraska-Omaha (5:00 p.m., kick-off) and the men's soccer match against CSUN (7:30 p.m., kick-off).
The event is open to all Creighton fans and cost is $20 per person for advance reservations and $25 per person at the door. The event includes a live band, a commemorative 32-ounce Creighton Socctoberfest glass stein, a 32-ounce draw and a meal ticket (bratwurst, sauerkraut, chips and a German potato salad). Additional 32-ounce draw refills will also be available for purchase at $7 each. Proof of age will be required at the event's entrance and wristbands will be affixed to those of legal drinking age.
Walk-ins are welcome but register in advance online to make sure you secure your commemorative Socctoberfest stein at www.creighton.edu/athleticevents. For more information or to make a reservation by phone or e-mail, contact Barb Epps (402-280-5577, bepps@creighton.edu).
Scouting Creighton
Creighton is 2-0-0 on the young season after shutout wins last weekend over Michigan (1-0) and Milwaukee (4-0). The Bluejays return eight starters and 13 lettermen from last year's team that won the BIG EAST Conference regular-season title, advanced to the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals and finished last season ranked No. 7 in the year-end NSCAA poll.
Creighton returns 30 of its 32 goals from last year, including each of its top six scorers. The Bluejays also return 24-of-30 assists from a year ago, and all but five minutes of the nearly 2,044 minutes in goal from last season.
Junior Fabian Herbers (2g, 1a this year) earned First Team All-America accolades and BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year honors after a magnificent 2014 season. He led the conference with 28 points, was second in the league with four game-winning goals, and third in both goals (10) and assists (8). Herbers is also a standout in the classroom and was a Third Team CoSIDA Academic All-American last year.
Senior Timo Pitter (1g this year) paced the league in assists (9), shots (75) and shots on goal (36) during a 2014 campaign that saw him add Second Team All-America plaudits. Pitter was also named BIG EAST Midfielder of the Year in 2014.
Senior goalkeeper Connor Sparrow (0.00 GAA this year) returns in net after ranking second nationally in goals against average (0.49) and 10th in save percentage (.841) a year ago. Sparrow's career 0.44 goals against average as a Bluejay is the best in Creighton history among goalies with at least 2,000 minutes in net. He is the reigning BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Week.
Scouting CSUN
Located in Northridge, Calif., CSUN is 1-0-0 on the season after a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Loyola Chicago on Sunday night.
The Matadors trailed 1-0 after allowing a goal in the eighth minute, only to rally with second half scores by Steven Manios and Shane Steffes for the win. Adam Hobbs made his 40th career start in goal and earned his 22nd career victory.
Last year CSUN was 7-9-2, but 17th-year coach Terry Davila brings back 16 lettermen and seven starters to the pitch. That group includes two-time First Team All-Big West honoree Juan Fernando Samayoa and Second Team All-Big West selection Patrick Hickman.
Series History vs. CSUN
Creighton won the only previous meeting with CSUN, 1-0, on a penalty kick by Andrei Gotsmanov in the 105th minute on Oct. 1, 2008. Creighton had 19 shots against the Matador defense in the match, while both keepers notched four saves.
Scouting UC Irvine
Ranked No. 13 nationally, the Anteaters head to Nebraska with a 1-0-0 record prior to Friday's match-up at Omaha before heading down Dodge Street to meet Creighton.
UCI defeated Loyola Chicago, 1-0, on Friday in the lone game to date behind a clean sheet from Michael Breslin and a goal in the 71st minute by Edgardo Molina.
The Anteaters were 16-6-3 last season and defeated UNLV and Stanford before being eliminated in the third round of the NCAA Tournament at Providence, 1-0.
From that group, second-year coach Chris Volk returns 16 lettermen and six starters.
Series History vs. UC Irvine
Creighton won the only previous meeting against UC Irvine, 3-1, on Oct. 15, 2011 at Morrison Stadium. In that contest, Ethan Finlay scored in the fifth, 62nd and 88th minute to deliver CU's first hat trick since 2004. Brian Holt notched two saves in net for CU, which outshot the Anteaters 18-5 overall.
California Dreaming
When playing CSUN and UC Irvine, Creighton will look to improve upon its 18-0-3 record against California-based schools in its last 21 games, including 16 straight victories.
The Jays won both matches against teams from the Golden State in 2014 defeating both Stanford (2-0) and Santa Clara (1-0) to open the season.
The streak includes matches against 13 different California-based schools, an 8-0-1 mark against ranked teams, and an active streak of shutout minutes at 461:16 entering Friday's game.
Creighton has outscored teams 32-8 during the 21-game unbeaten spell, including a 24-2 margin during the 16-game win streak.
Creighton has not trailed against any California team since the 77th minute against San Diego State on Aug. 31, 2007. Since then, CU has been leading or tied for a span of 1600:11 against California clubs.
Creighton's last loss to a team from California came on Sept. 7, 2003 a 2-1 loss at Loyola Marymount when the Lions scored in the final five seconds of the second overtime.
Last 21 Games vs. California Teams
Date Opponent Score
11/26/03 at San Diego T 1-1 (2 OT)
9/5/04 Loyola Marymount W 2-1
9/10/04 vs. #6 UCLA W 3-2
8/31/07 San Diego State T 2-2 (2OT)
9/6/07 #11 UCLA T 0-0 (2OT)
9/15/07 vs. Loyola Marymount W 1-0 (OT)
9/7/08 UC Riverside W 2-0
9/19/8 at Stanford W 1-0
9/21/08 at #6 California W 2-0
10/01/08 CSUN W 1-0 (2OT)
9/5/09 #23 Cal Poly W 1-0
10/31/09 #7 UCLA W 1-0
9/7/10 at #21 UCSB W 1-0
9/24/11 Saint Mary's W 1-0
10/15/11 #7 UC Irvine W 3-1
11/27/11 #13 UCSB W 2-1
9/7/12 at Santa Clara W 1-0
9/9/12 at Saint Mary's W 1-0
9/1/13 Cal Poly W 3-0
8/29/14 #20 Stanford W 2-0
8/31/14 Santa Clara W 1-0
Top 10 Jays, Again
Creighton was ranked sixth nationally in the preseason edition of the NSCAA Top 25 Coaches poll, and is now ranked third by the NSCAA, College Soccer News, Soccer America and Top Drawer Soccer.
This is the fourth time in the last five years the Bluejays have been ranked in the top-10 of the preseason poll, and 11th time since 1998.
Creighton has now spent at least one week in the top 10 of the NSCAA poll in each of the last 24 seasons.
Against The Top 25
Creighton brings a 70-47-14 (.588) all-time record against the Top 25 when it hosts No. 13 UC Irvine on Sunday evening.
That mark includes a 38-12-3 (.745) mark at all home sites versus top-25 foes.
Creighton is 9-0-2 (.909) against top-13 teams at Morrison Stadium, and is 28-5-2 (.829) overall at Morrison against top-25 clubs.
Even more impressive, in the 11 games at Morrison Stadium against top-13 teams, Creighton has never trailed during 1054:46 minutes of play.
Herbers Play Gets Noticed
Fabian Herbers was a First Team All-American last year, and the junior has picked up where he's left off as the forward was named to College Soccer News' National Team of the Week on Aug. 31 and the Top Drawer Soccer National Team of the Week on Sept. 1.
Herbers scored the only goal in CU's 1-0 victory over Michigan in the opener, then had a goal and an assist in Sunday's 4-0 win over Milwaukee.
In four games against outside competition this year (two exhibtions, two regular-season games), Herbers owns four goals and five assists:
Opponent Goals Assists Final Score
at Bradley (Ex.) 1 2 W 3-0
Northwestern (Ex.) 1 2 W 5-0
Michigan 1 0 W 1-0
Milwaukee 1 1 W 4-0
Total (4 games) 4 5 CU 13-0
Dynamic Duo
Timo Pitter and Fabian Herbers form one of the nation's top offensive duos, and the numbers continue to bear that out.
Either Pitter or Herbers has scored or assisted on 27 of Creighton's 37 goals since the start of the 2014 season, including 24-of-32 tallies a year ago.
That pair have combined for 19 goals and 18 assists in that span. Eight of those 19 goals have been assisted by the other half of their star duo.
Weekly Awards
Connor Sparrow was named BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Week after a posting a pair of shutouts last weekend. It's the fourth such honor of his Creighton career, and second straight season he's won the honor following the opening weekend of the fall.
In 19 career starts in a Bluejay uniform at Morrison Stadium, Sparrow has never allowed a first half goal.
Eric Miller Joins U23 National Team Camp
Former Creighton star Eric Miller has been selected by the United States U23 national team to take part in the final training camp and two friendly games in preparation for the 2015 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Tournament in October.
The camp will run in Manchester, England, from August 30 to September 8, and will feature friendlies against England on September 3 at Deepdale Stadium in Preston, and Qatar on September 8 at Gigg Lane in Bury.
At the international level, Miller took part in a friendly match with the U23's against Brazil in 2014. He also played with the U20 and U18 U.S. national selections, taking part in the 2013 Toulon Tournament and the 2013 FIFA U20 World Cup in Turkey.
Miller, the fifth overall pick in the 2014 MLS Super Draft, has started 22-of-28 career games in the MLS with the Montreal Impact.
Ethan Finlay, All-Star
Eric Miller isn't the only former Bluejay to make waves, as his former Creighton teammate Ethan Finlay is also having a splendid summer.
Finlay entered the week second in the MLS with 13 assists to go with eight goals in 27 games with the Columbus Crew this year.
Earlier this summer, Finlay played in the MLS All-Star Game.
Finlay played at Creighton from 2008-11, leading the Bluejays to a pair of College Cups before being 10th overall in the 2012 MLS Super Draft.
Jays Favored In Preseason BIG EAST Poll
Creighton and Georgetown tied for first in the preseason BIG EAST poll that was released on Aug. 18th. Both teams had 77 points and five first-place votes in the poll.
GK Connor Sparrow, M Timo Pitter and F Fabian Herbers were each named to the Preseason All-BIG EAST Team. Pitter was a unanimous selection, while Sparrow was named BIG EAST Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year.
This is the eighth time in the last 11 years, and 15th time since 1990, that Creighton has been picked to win its league in the preseason.
Opening Up
Including last Friday's triumph over Michigan, Creighton has now won its last six season-opening match-ups, including three straight shutout victories.
CU's unbeaten streak on Opening Day stretches to nine (7-0-2) in season-opening matches if you go back to a 2007 tie vs. San Diego State, and the Jays are 13-1-6 in its last 20 season lid-lifters.
Creighton is 18-2-6 in season-openers since reinstating soccer in 1990, and 22-5-6 all-time in season-opening matches overall.
Freshmen, In Openers
Last Friday Joel Rydstrand became Creighton's sixth true freshman to start a season-opener under Elmar Bolowich.
Each of the previous five men developed into key players for the program.
Last year it was Ricky Lopez-Espin, and in 2013 it was Fabian Herbers.
In 2012, both Vincent Keller and Timo Pitter started on opening night, while in 2011 it was Eric Miller.
Turning Two A Good Start
Creighton has not lost either of its first two games in any of the previous nine seasons, a streak it continued last weekend. In that time, the Bluejays have started 2-0-0 six times and 1-0-1 on three occasions.
This is the third straight season, and fourth time in five years, that Creighton has opened with consecutive shutout wins.
First Two Games, Last Nine Seasons
Year 1st Game 2nd Game
2007 T 2-2 (2ot) W 3-0
2008 W 4-1 W 4-0
2009 T 0-0 (2ot) W 1-0
2010 W 2-0 W 4-0
2011 W 1-0 W 5-0
2012 W 3-1 T 1-1 (2ot)
2013 W 2-0 W 3-0
2014 W 2-0 W 1-0
2015 W 1-0 W 4-0
Perennial Power
Creighton won the program's first BIG EAST title last season when it claimed the regular-season crown with a 7-1-1 mark.
The Bluejays now own 13 regular-season and 13 conference tournament titles in program history, all since 1992.
Another Strong Class
College Soccer News has dubbed Creighton's recruiting class as the nation's 31st best. Among the newcomers the website highlights are Evan Waldrep, Jacob Rooth and Peter Prescott.
Top 10 Crowds
Creighton finished last season 10th nationally in average home attendance and fifth overall in total home attendance.
It was the 11th straight season the Bluejays have finished in the top-10 nationally in average home attendance.
Creighton is currently averaging 3,543 fans through two home dates, including 4,838 fans for Michigan on Aug. 28. That ranks as the largest crowd in school history to witness a season-opener.
Herbers & Pitter Earn Preseason Acclaim
Fabian Herbers and Timo Pitter have both been recognized nationally in the preseason. Both men are among the 30 players on the MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List. Creighton is one of six schools with two players on the list, joining Charlotte, CSU Bakersfield, Georgetown, Kentucky and Stanford.
Top Drawer Soccer also honored Herbers and Pitter on their Preseason Best XI Teams. Herbers was a first-team pick at forward, while Pitter was a second-teamer as a midfielder.
College Soccer News also acknowledged Herbers and Pitter on its Preseason All-America Teams. Herbers was a first-team choice at forward, while Pitter was a second-team midfielder.
Top 100 Trio
Fabian Herbers, Timo Pitter and Connor Sparrow all earned a spot on Top Drawer Soccer's Preseason Top 100 list of the nation's top players. Herbers checked in at No. 5, while Pitter (No. 18) and Sparrow (No. 74) made the Bluejays one of eight teams nationally with three players in the top-75.
Sparrow A Rare Bird
Senior GK Connor Sparrow remains Creighton's all-time leader in goals against average, allowing just 0.44 goals per 90 minutes in a Bluejay uniform.
Sparrow's numbers are even more impressive at home, where he owns a 0.36 GAA in a Creighton uniform at Morrison Stadium.
Of the 13 goals that Sparrow has allowed as a Bluejay, only one has come prior to halftime.
Sparrow also moved into sixth place on Creighton's all-time leaders in winning percentage with a .759 win percentage. He can move into fifth place with a win on Friday, passing Kevin Doyle (.761).
Tough 2015 Slate
The Bluejays' 2015 schedule features five regular-season contests against teams that were nationally-ranked in the preseason NSCAA poll, as CU meets No. 3 Georgetown, No. 7 Providence, No. 9 Michigan State, No. 19 Xavier and No. 20 UC Irvine.
Creighton also has a game vs. Tulsa and won an exhibition vs. Northwestern, two teams that were listed among those 'also receiving votes.”
All told, Creighton's 2015 schedule will see
it face nine teams that finished last year in the top 55 of the RPI, including five games against teams that reached the Sweet 16.
Bolowich Keeps CU Winning
Creighton ranks tied for second nationally with 65 wins in the last five years, which coincides with the arrival of head coach Elmar Bolowich. Bolowich was named BIG EAST Co-Coach of the Year last season after helping the Bluejays to a league title.
Below is a list of the nation's most wins since Bolowich arrived before the 2011 season, through games of Sept. 3, 2015.
2011-14 2015 Total Next
Rk. Team Wins Wins Wins Game
1. Coastal Carolina 73 2 75 9/4
2. Creighton 63 2 65 9/4
Maryland 64 1 65 9/4
4. Akron 63 1 64 9/4
5. North Carolina 61 2 63 9/4
You Play To Win The Game
Creighton's 16-3-3 record last year led the nation in winning percentage (.795). The Bluejays were eliminated from the NCAA Tournament after falling in penalty kicks vs. UMBC during the team's 10th appearance in the national quarterfinals in the last 19 years.
So Close
Each of Creighton's last 14 losses have been by a single goal, including every setback in 2013 and 2014.
Creighton has fallen behind by two goals just four times in 92 games under Elmar Bolowich, and lost by two goals just twice.
Streaks To Watch
Creighton is 36-0-2 under Elmar Bolowich when leading at halftime.
Creighton is 17-0-1 in its last 18 games when scoring first, and 57-3-2 under Bolowich.
Creighton has not trailed at half in any of its last 25 games. The last time CU trailed at the break was Nov. 12, 2013, when Providence scored in the final 10 seconds of the first half to take a 1-0 lead into the locker room.
Creighton is 13-0-0 in home matches under Bolowich that kickoff prior to 6 pm.
Sunday Funday
Creighton is 19-1-1 on Sunday's under Elmar Bolowich. CU was 4-0-0 on the day last season, and its only loss on a Sunday came vs. William & Mary (3-2 in double-OT) during the 2013 campaign.
Creighton has outscored the opposition 42-10 in those Sunday games.
Creighton Soccer's European Vacation
Creighton spent nearly two weeks in Europe in early July, spending most of that time in Germany and Austria. The team went 2-2-0 against strong competition, but also bonded in a foreign culture that included trips Neuschwanstein Castle, Allianz Arena and Munich's Olympic Stadium, among other areas.
O Captain! My Captain!
Seniors Vincent Keller and Eric DeJulio have been named captains on this year's team. Both men started all 22 games a season ago for Creighton's BIG EAST champion club.
2015 Creighton Outlook
Expectations for 2015 are sky-high for a Creighton program that went 16-3-3 and led the nation in winning percentage a year ago en route to its first BIG EAST regular-season title.
A top-notch recruiting class helps support the return of eight starters, including the BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year (Fabian Herbers) and the BIG EAST Midfielder of the Year (Timo Pitter) for fifth-year head coach Elmar Bolowich, last year's BIG EAST Coach of the Year. In all, 30-of-32 goals scored and all but five goalkeeping minutes return to a program that seeks a sixth College Cup appearance in the past 20 seasons.
Herbers earned First Team All-America accolades and top honors from the BIG EAST after a magnificent sophomore season. He led the conference with 28 points, was second in the league with four game-winning goals, and third in both goals (10) and assists (8).
Pitter paced the league in assists (9), shots (75) and shots on goal (36) during a junior campaign that saw him add Second Team All-America plaudits.
The Jays also boast four other returners who scored multiple times in 2014. Midfielder Lucas Stauffer had four goals and a pair of assists to earn a spot on the BIG EAST All-Freshman Team, while classmate Ricky Lopez-Espin was one of the nation's most impressive freshmen before a knee injury in early October ended his season prematurely.
Helping to distribute in the midfield are junior Ricardo Perez and the sophomore duo of Fernando Castellanos and Noah Franke who combined for five goals and four assists a year ago.
The return of Myles Englis from injury, plus recruits like Joel Rystrand, Evan Waldrep and Bryce Gibson should give CU plenty of offensive firepower.
Creighton's defense figures to remain strong and experienced, as well, paced by the return of seniors Eric DeJulio, Mike Paye, Vincent Keller and Connor Sparrow. An influx of talented defenders, headed by Peter Prescott and Felix Kollmannthaler, will also contend for playing time.
Sparrow finished second nationally in goals against average (0.49 GAA) and 10th in save percentage (.841), allowing just 11 scores in 22 contests.
Impressively, Creighton allowed just one first half goal during the 2014 campaign.
DeJulio was the only Bluejay to play every minute last season, while Keller was nearly as durable, starting all 22 contests.
Creighton has annually played one of the top schedules in college soccer, and the 2015 campaign figures to be no different.
Half of Creighton's 18 opponents on the docket finished with top-55 RPI's nationally a year ago, including non-conference showdowns vs. Michigan State, UC Irvine, Tulsa and CSUN.
Creighton also faces a rigorous BIG EAST slate, which features the likes of Georgetown, Providence, Xavier and Marquette in a league that was tabbed third nationally in the final 2014 RPI.
Fueling expectations for Creighton was a foreign trip to Europe for two weeks in July.
While away, the team played against some top clubs from both Germany and Austria, finishing with a 2-2-0 record.
In addition to the extra competition, the team bonded off-the-field while adjusting a new culture and visiting many international landmarks such as Allianz Arena, Neuschwanstein Castle and the former Olympic Stadium in Munich.
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's SoccerCreighton 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
Creighton Media Availability Men's Soccer - 10/21/25
Tuesday, October 21
