Photo by: Creighton Athletics
Men's Soccer Returns After Two Weeks In Europe
7/15/2019 3:30:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Bluejays spent two weeks traveling together as a team
OMAHA, Neb. -- The Creighton men's soccer team returned to Omaha on Saturday, July 13 after spending the first two weeks of the month in Europe exploring sights, growing as a team and competing against stiff competition.
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Creighton opened its competition schedule with a match against Bahlinger SC on July 3. The Bluejays allowed a penalty just before the end of the first half and an additional goal in the second half for the final result of a 2-0 loss.
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"It was a good first challenge to see the level of play in Europe and see the difference between NCAA college soccer and professional soccer in Germany," senior forward Pepe Cejudo.
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Although they were unable to celebrate the Fourth of July in the same fashion as those here in Omaha, the squad explored Europa Park, the largest theme park in Germany.
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The Bluejays continued their match schedule and fell during a contest against Freiburg SC U-23 on July 6.
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"The result wasn't what we wanted it to be, but this entire two-week experience, including the match against Freiburg, will help us towards our bigger goals in the fall season," senior defender Younes Boudadi said.
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The group also visited the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site in Dachau, Germany.
Creighton picked up its first win of the trip with a 3-2 result against SV Wals-Grunau in Salzburg, Austria on July 9.
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"We came together and decided what we were going to do and we displayed our abilities and it was definitely a step up from the first two games," Kuba Polat said.
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Prior to its final match of the two-week journey, the group toured Allianz Arena and the FC Bayern Campus in Munich.
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The Bluejays concluded their trip to Europe with a 3-1 loss against SV Grodig on July 12.Â
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Despite the tough results on the pitch, head coach Johnny Torres said the trip was "invaluable for our growth." The players agreed.
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"It's really good for the chemistry of the team and it helped us grow, not only as soccer players but also as people and as a group," Cejudo said.
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"It was great thing be able to be together in a different country and play against guys who play their whole life with academies at different levels, and off the field it allowed us to experience a different culture." - freshman Paul Kruse
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"It helped us incorporate the newcomers and see what the level is overseas and what it takes to be a professional in Europe." – Boudadi
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The Bluejays officially report for the fall season during the second week of August, with their first training scheduled for Aug. 13. Creighton will play three exhibition matches, including two at Morrison Stadium (Aug. 21 vs. Missouri State at 7 pm and Aug. 24 vs. UIC at 1 pm), before the regular-season starts on Aug. 30.
Follow Creighton Men's Soccer on Twitter (@CreightonMSOC), Instagram (creightonmsoc) and Facebook (Facebook.com/CreightonSoccer).Â
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Creighton opened its competition schedule with a match against Bahlinger SC on July 3. The Bluejays allowed a penalty just before the end of the first half and an additional goal in the second half for the final result of a 2-0 loss.
Â
"It was a good first challenge to see the level of play in Europe and see the difference between NCAA college soccer and professional soccer in Germany," senior forward Pepe Cejudo.
Â
Although they were unable to celebrate the Fourth of July in the same fashion as those here in Omaha, the squad explored Europa Park, the largest theme park in Germany.
Â
The Bluejays continued their match schedule and fell during a contest against Freiburg SC U-23 on July 6.
Â
"The result wasn't what we wanted it to be, but this entire two-week experience, including the match against Freiburg, will help us towards our bigger goals in the fall season," senior defender Younes Boudadi said.
Â
The group also visited the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site in Dachau, Germany.
Creighton picked up its first win of the trip with a 3-2 result against SV Wals-Grunau in Salzburg, Austria on July 9.
Â
"We came together and decided what we were going to do and we displayed our abilities and it was definitely a step up from the first two games," Kuba Polat said.
Â
Â
Prior to its final match of the two-week journey, the group toured Allianz Arena and the FC Bayern Campus in Munich.
Â
Â
The Bluejays concluded their trip to Europe with a 3-1 loss against SV Grodig on July 12.Â
Â
Â
Despite the tough results on the pitch, head coach Johnny Torres said the trip was "invaluable for our growth." The players agreed.
Â
"It's really good for the chemistry of the team and it helped us grow, not only as soccer players but also as people and as a group," Cejudo said.
Â
"It was great thing be able to be together in a different country and play against guys who play their whole life with academies at different levels, and off the field it allowed us to experience a different culture." - freshman Paul Kruse
Â
"It helped us incorporate the newcomers and see what the level is overseas and what it takes to be a professional in Europe." – Boudadi
Â
The Bluejays officially report for the fall season during the second week of August, with their first training scheduled for Aug. 13. Creighton will play three exhibition matches, including two at Morrison Stadium (Aug. 21 vs. Missouri State at 7 pm and Aug. 24 vs. UIC at 1 pm), before the regular-season starts on Aug. 30.
Follow Creighton Men's Soccer on Twitter (@CreightonMSOC), Instagram (creightonmsoc) and Facebook (Facebook.com/CreightonSoccer).Â
Players Mentioned
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Creighton MSOC Highlights & Postgame vs Oral Roberts--9-13-25
Sunday, September 14
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