Photo by: Chelsea Nicholson
Men's Soccer Returns To Morrison With 2-1 Victory Over Xavier
3/6/2021 2:20:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Diego Gutierrez scored a pair of goals during Bluejays first game at Morrison since November of 2019
OMAHA, Neb. -- Diego Gutierrez scored a pair of goals as the Creighton men's soccer team picked up a 2-1 win over Xavier on Saturday afternoon at Morrison Stadium.
The Bluejays improved to 2-0 in BIG EAST play and 2-1 overall, while the Musketeers fell to 3-3 overall and 0-1 in league action.
Saturday's match marked Creighton's first at Morrison Stadium since Nov. 9, 2019.Â
Gutierrez's game-winning goal came during the 88th minute. Daniel Espeleta moved down the left side of the pitch before sending a ball towards the middle of the pitch to Duncan McGuire. McGuire placed the ball at the feet of Gutierrez who recovered it with his left foot, switched to his right and slotted the ball inside the left post and past the diving Xavier goalkeeper.
The Omaha native scored the first goal of the match during the 22nd minute. Musa Qongo sent a pass from midfield to Espeleta on the Bluejays' attacking half of the field. Espeleta turned over his right shoulder and passed the ball to Gutierrez who recovered it, dribbled more than 20 yards and sent a shot from the right of the penalty spot to the back of the net at the far post.
The goal marked Gutierrez's first as a Bluejay and 11th of his career after tallying 10 during three seasons at UNO.Â
Xavier tied the match at 1-1 during the 81st minute. Karsen Henderlong picked up a loose ball in the box and scored his BIG EAST-leading seventh goal of the season.
The Bluejays and Musketeers combined for only four shots in the first half and only one of goal, but the two sides responded in the second half with 14 combined shots -- nine from Xavier, five from Creighton.
Paul Kruse made only one save as the Bluejays improved to 8-0 in BIG EAST home openers.
Creighton returns to the pitch on Wednesday for a match against Missouri State at the Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City, Missouri. Kickoff between the Bluejays and Bears is scheduled for 2 p.m.
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The Bluejays improved to 2-0 in BIG EAST play and 2-1 overall, while the Musketeers fell to 3-3 overall and 0-1 in league action.
Saturday's match marked Creighton's first at Morrison Stadium since Nov. 9, 2019.Â
Gutierrez's game-winning goal came during the 88th minute. Daniel Espeleta moved down the left side of the pitch before sending a ball towards the middle of the pitch to Duncan McGuire. McGuire placed the ball at the feet of Gutierrez who recovered it with his left foot, switched to his right and slotted the ball inside the left post and past the diving Xavier goalkeeper.
The Omaha native scored the first goal of the match during the 22nd minute. Musa Qongo sent a pass from midfield to Espeleta on the Bluejays' attacking half of the field. Espeleta turned over his right shoulder and passed the ball to Gutierrez who recovered it, dribbled more than 20 yards and sent a shot from the right of the penalty spot to the back of the net at the far post.
The goal marked Gutierrez's first as a Bluejay and 11th of his career after tallying 10 during three seasons at UNO.Â
Xavier tied the match at 1-1 during the 81st minute. Karsen Henderlong picked up a loose ball in the box and scored his BIG EAST-leading seventh goal of the season.
The Bluejays and Musketeers combined for only four shots in the first half and only one of goal, but the two sides responded in the second half with 14 combined shots -- nine from Xavier, five from Creighton.
Paul Kruse made only one save as the Bluejays improved to 8-0 in BIG EAST home openers.
Creighton returns to the pitch on Wednesday for a match against Missouri State at the Swope Soccer Village in Kansas City, Missouri. Kickoff between the Bluejays and Bears is scheduled for 2 p.m.
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Team Stats
XU
CU
Goals
1
2
Shots
11
7
Shots on Goal
2
2
Saves
0
1
Corners
4
1
Fouls
4
15
Scoring Plays

GUTIERREZ, Diego (1)
Assisted By: QONGO, Musa , ESPELETA, Daniel
GOAL by CU GUTIERREZ, Diego (FIRST GOAL), Assist by QONGO, Musa and ESPELETA, Daniel, goal number 1 for season.
21:13

HENDERLONG, Karsen (7)
GOAL by XU HENDERLONG, Karsen, goal number 7 for season.
80:11

GUTIERREZ, Diego (2)
Assisted By: McGUIRE, Duncan , ESPELETA, Daniel
GOAL by CU GUTIERREZ, Diego, Assist by McGUIRE, Duncan and ESPELETA, Daniel, goal number 2 for season.
87:47
Game Leaders
Players
Players Mentioned
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