Photo by: Mark Kuhlmann
Kruse Named BIG EAST Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year, Bluejays Slotted Fourth
8/17/2022 10:30:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Omaha, Neb. -- Seniors Paul Kruse and Charles Auguste earned individual recognition, while the Creighton men's soccer team was picked to finish fourth as the BIG EAST Preseason honors and poll was released on Wednesday, Aug. 17.
Kruse collected his second BIG EAST Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year nod, also claiming the honor in 2020. Meanwhile both Kruse and Auguste earned a spot on the Preseason All-BIG EAST team. The 11-man list featured two Bluejays, three from Providence and single representatives from Butler, Connecticut, Georgetown, Marquette, St. John's and Villanova.
Creighton's goalkeeper, Kruse, closed out the 2021 campaign with a 1.34 goals against average (GAA), posting five shutouts and making 69 saves in 1,542 minutes, earning All-BIG EAST Third Team honors. A four-year player for the Bluejays, Kruse started 18 matches as a freshman in 2018, closing the season with a 0.64 GAA and 52 saves in 1,698 minutes. Injuries limited the Germany native to 11 matches in 2019 and 2020 combined.
Auguste appeared in each of the Bluejays' 19 matches in 2021, earning the start 18 times. He logged a combined 1,503 minutes and was instrumental in Creighton's 3-0 win over No. 1 Indiana on Sept. 3, notching a goal and an assist last season.
After returning to the NCAA Tournament last season, the Bluejays were picked to finish fourth in the preseason poll with 71 points. Providence earned the preseason poll position with 94 points and four first-place votes, while Georgetown was just a step back with 93 points and seven first-place votes. St. John's and Butler surrounded the Bluejays with 79 and 60 points respectively. The bottom half of the poll saw Villanova (59 points), Marquette (49 points) and Connecticut (38 points) sit in sixth through eighth. The final three teams were DePaul (23 points), Seton Hall (22 points) and Xavier (17 points).
Creighton completes its 2022 preseason on Friday, Aug. 19 as the Bluejays host Denver at 6:30 p.m. The regular season begins six days later as Creighton hosts Oakland on Thursday, Aug. 25 at 6:30 p.m.
BIG EAST Men's Soccer Preseason Honors
Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year
Paul Kruse, Creighton, Gr., GK
Preseason Offensive Players of the Year
Wilmer Cabrera, Jr., Butler, Sr., F
Â
Preseason Co-Defensive Player of the Year
Daniel Wu, Georgetown, Sr., D
Ramzi Qawasmy, Providence, Gr., D
Â
Men's Soccer Preseason All-BIG EASTÂ
Wilmer Cabrera Jr., Butler, Sr., F ^
Lukas Sunesson, Marquette, Sr., F
Gevork Diarbian, Providence, Jr., F
Lyam MacKinnon, Villanova, Sr., F
Mateo Leveque, UConn, So., M
Charles Auguste, Creighton, Sr., M
Luis Garcia, Providence, Sr., M
Daniel Wu, Georgetown, Sr., D ^
Ramzi Qawasmy, Providence, Gr., D ^
Brandon Knapp, St. John's, Gr., D
Paul Kruse, Creighton, Gr., GK
^Unanimous vote
Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll
Kruse collected his second BIG EAST Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year nod, also claiming the honor in 2020. Meanwhile both Kruse and Auguste earned a spot on the Preseason All-BIG EAST team. The 11-man list featured two Bluejays, three from Providence and single representatives from Butler, Connecticut, Georgetown, Marquette, St. John's and Villanova.
Creighton's goalkeeper, Kruse, closed out the 2021 campaign with a 1.34 goals against average (GAA), posting five shutouts and making 69 saves in 1,542 minutes, earning All-BIG EAST Third Team honors. A four-year player for the Bluejays, Kruse started 18 matches as a freshman in 2018, closing the season with a 0.64 GAA and 52 saves in 1,698 minutes. Injuries limited the Germany native to 11 matches in 2019 and 2020 combined.
Auguste appeared in each of the Bluejays' 19 matches in 2021, earning the start 18 times. He logged a combined 1,503 minutes and was instrumental in Creighton's 3-0 win over No. 1 Indiana on Sept. 3, notching a goal and an assist last season.
After returning to the NCAA Tournament last season, the Bluejays were picked to finish fourth in the preseason poll with 71 points. Providence earned the preseason poll position with 94 points and four first-place votes, while Georgetown was just a step back with 93 points and seven first-place votes. St. John's and Butler surrounded the Bluejays with 79 and 60 points respectively. The bottom half of the poll saw Villanova (59 points), Marquette (49 points) and Connecticut (38 points) sit in sixth through eighth. The final three teams were DePaul (23 points), Seton Hall (22 points) and Xavier (17 points).
Creighton completes its 2022 preseason on Friday, Aug. 19 as the Bluejays host Denver at 6:30 p.m. The regular season begins six days later as Creighton hosts Oakland on Thursday, Aug. 25 at 6:30 p.m.
BIG EAST Men's Soccer Preseason Honors
Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year
Paul Kruse, Creighton, Gr., GK
Preseason Offensive Players of the Year
Wilmer Cabrera, Jr., Butler, Sr., F
Â
Preseason Co-Defensive Player of the Year
Daniel Wu, Georgetown, Sr., D
Ramzi Qawasmy, Providence, Gr., D
Â
Men's Soccer Preseason All-BIG EASTÂ
Wilmer Cabrera Jr., Butler, Sr., F ^
Lukas Sunesson, Marquette, Sr., F
Gevork Diarbian, Providence, Jr., F
Lyam MacKinnon, Villanova, Sr., F
Mateo Leveque, UConn, So., M
Charles Auguste, Creighton, Sr., M
Luis Garcia, Providence, Sr., M
Daniel Wu, Georgetown, Sr., D ^
Ramzi Qawasmy, Providence, Gr., D ^
Brandon Knapp, St. John's, Gr., D
Paul Kruse, Creighton, Gr., GK
^Unanimous vote
Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll
| Team | Points |
|---|---|
| Providence | 94 (4) |
| Georgetown | 93 (7) |
| St. John's | 79 |
| Creighton | 71 |
| Butler | 60 |
| Villanova | 59 |
| Marquette | 49 |
| Connecticut | 38 |
| DePaul | 23 |
| Seton Hall | 22 |
| Xavier | 17 |
Players Mentioned
M
/ Men's Soccer
GK
/ Men's SoccerCreighton Men's Soccer Highlights at Butler -10-25-25
Saturday, October 25
Creighton Media Availability Men's Soccer - 10/21/25
Tuesday, October 21
Creighton Men's Soccer Highlights at Villanova - 10-17-25
Friday, October 17
2025 Creighton Athletics Hall of Fame inductee Ethan Finlay
Thursday, October 16
