Photo by: Steve Branscombe
Men's Soccer Opens Season with Shutout of Rutgers
8/26/2016 9:25:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Piscataway, N.J. -- No. 7 Creighton scored two second-half goals and defeated No. 25 Rutgers 2-0 in the 2016 season-opener on Friday night at Yurcak Field in Piscataway, N.J.
The Bluejays improved to 1-0-0 while Rutgers fell to 0-1-0.
Friday's result marked Creighton's fourth consecutive season-opening shutout. The Bluejays also moved to 8-0-2 in its last 10 lid-lifters.
Creighton controlled possession of the ball during the first half and held a 10-1 shot advantage with three shots on goal, but Rutgers goalkeeper David Greczek turned away each attempt through the first 45 to keep the match scoreless.
The Bluejays equaled its offensive intensity to open the second half with multiple early attacks.
During the 59th minute, Luke Haakenson sprinted down the left side of the box as a Scarlet Knights defender committed a foul on Haakenson in the box to set up a penalty kick opportunity for the Bluejays. Lucas Stauffer took the attempt for Creighton and launched the ball into the bottom right corner of the net, giving the Bluejays their first goal of the season and a 1-0 lead.
Less than a minute following the penalty kick, Rutgers' Ryan Peterson picked up his second yellow card of the match that resulted in a red card and left the Scarlet Knights a man short for the final 30 minutes of the match.
Riggs Lennon extended the lead with his first career goal as a Bluejay from 30 yards out during the 65th minute. Lennon lifted a shot up and over the Rutgers goalkeeper, and the ball bounced into the net for the second goal of the match. Joel Rydstrand and Luke Haakenson were credited with assists on the play.
Creighton ended the match with a 22-4 advantage in shots, including 10-2 in shots on goal. The Bluejays also had 13 corner kicks, the most under Elmar Bolowich, and the most in any game since Creighton had 15 at SMU on Nov. 21, 2010.
Rutgers committed 15 fouls and was issued five cards, while Creighton had three fouls and one yellow card.
Stauffer's penalty kick was his fourth career game-winning goal after tallying three as a freshman during the 2014 season.
Creighton opens its home schedule on Monday night against San Francisco. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Morrison Stadium.
The Bluejays improved to 1-0-0 while Rutgers fell to 0-1-0.
Friday's result marked Creighton's fourth consecutive season-opening shutout. The Bluejays also moved to 8-0-2 in its last 10 lid-lifters.
Creighton controlled possession of the ball during the first half and held a 10-1 shot advantage with three shots on goal, but Rutgers goalkeeper David Greczek turned away each attempt through the first 45 to keep the match scoreless.
The Bluejays equaled its offensive intensity to open the second half with multiple early attacks.
During the 59th minute, Luke Haakenson sprinted down the left side of the box as a Scarlet Knights defender committed a foul on Haakenson in the box to set up a penalty kick opportunity for the Bluejays. Lucas Stauffer took the attempt for Creighton and launched the ball into the bottom right corner of the net, giving the Bluejays their first goal of the season and a 1-0 lead.
Less than a minute following the penalty kick, Rutgers' Ryan Peterson picked up his second yellow card of the match that resulted in a red card and left the Scarlet Knights a man short for the final 30 minutes of the match.
Riggs Lennon extended the lead with his first career goal as a Bluejay from 30 yards out during the 65th minute. Lennon lifted a shot up and over the Rutgers goalkeeper, and the ball bounced into the net for the second goal of the match. Joel Rydstrand and Luke Haakenson were credited with assists on the play.
Creighton ended the match with a 22-4 advantage in shots, including 10-2 in shots on goal. The Bluejays also had 13 corner kicks, the most under Elmar Bolowich, and the most in any game since Creighton had 15 at SMU on Nov. 21, 2010.
Rutgers committed 15 fouls and was issued five cards, while Creighton had three fouls and one yellow card.
Stauffer's penalty kick was his fourth career game-winning goal after tallying three as a freshman during the 2014 season.
Creighton opens its home schedule on Monday night against San Francisco. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Morrison Stadium.
Team Stats
CU
RU
Goals
2
0
Shots
22
4
Shots on Goal
10
2
Saves
2
8
Corners
13
4
Fouls
3
15
Scoring Plays

STAUFFER, Lucas (1)
CU STAUFFER, Lucas PENALTY KICK GOAL, goal number 1 for season.
58:22

LENNON, Riggs (1)
Assisted By: RYDSTRAND, Joel , HAAKENSON, Luke
GOAL by CU LENNON, Riggs, Assist by RYDSTRAND, Joel and HAAKENSON, Luke, goal number 1 for season.
64:23
Game Leaders
Players Mentioned
Creighton MSOC Highlights & Postgame vs Xavier-10-11-25
Sunday, October 12
Creighton Men's Soccer Media Availability 9/30/25
Tuesday, September 30
Creighton Men's Soccer Highlights at DePaul - 9-27-25
Saturday, September 27
Creighton Men's Soccer Media Availability 9/24/25
Thursday, September 25