Creighton Men's Soccer Picked to Win Midwest Division
8/15/2023 11:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Castro and Probo Earn Preseason All-BIG EAST Honors
New York, N.Y. -- Following a run to its sixth College Cup, the Creighton men's soccer team was rewarded by coaches in the BIG EAST conference as the Bluejays were slated as the top team in the Midwest Division, while senior Giorgio Probo and junior Jackson Castro earned All-BIG EAST Preseason Team honors on Tuesday, Aug. 15.
With the addition of Akron as an affiliate member at the onset of the 2023 season, the BIG EAST split into a Midwest Division (Akron, Butler, Creighton, DePaul, Marquette and Xavier) and an East Division (Connecticut, Georgetown, Providence, St. John's, Seton Hall and Villanova). In addition, the league's conference tournament will expand to eight teams for the first time since realignment.
Castro and Probo are coming off All-BIG EAST Second Team (Castro) and All-BIG EAST Third Team (Probo) selections in 2022. Castro delivered 10 goals and eight assists last season, while Probo was second in the NCAA with 14 assists and added five goals.
Creighton collected eight of 11 possible first place votes, earning 63 points. Butler and Akron each nabbed a pair of first place votes to put Butler second with 50 points and Akron third with 48 points. Rounding out the Midwest Division are Xavier (39 points), Marquette (29 points) and DePaul (17 points).
The East Division was dominated by Georgetown as the Hoyas grabbed 11 first place votes and 66 total points. Predicted to finish second is Providence with 56 points, followed by St. John's (40 points), Seton Hall (36 points). Connecticut and Villanova tied for fifth in the East with 24 points each.
Expectations for Creighton remain high for 2023 as Creighton kicks off the season ranked No. 8 in the Preseason United Soccer Coaches Association Poll. Creighton opens the 2023 regular season at No. 7 Stanford on Aug. 24 at 5:00 pm (CT).
Midwest Division (first-place votes)
1. Creighton (8)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 63
2. Butler (2)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 50
3. Akron (2)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 48
4. Xavier                          39
5. Marquette                    29
6. DePaul                        17
East Division (first-place votes)
1. Georgetown (11)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 66
2. Providence (1)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 56
3. St. John's                     40
4. Seton Hall                    36
5. Connecticut                  24
5. Villanova                      24
Â
Preseason BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year
Palmer Ault, So., F, Butler
Â
Preseason BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year
Kenny Nielsen, Sr., D, Georgetown
Â
Preseason BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year
Ryan Schewe, Sr., GK, Georgetown
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Preseason All-BIG EAST Team
Ryan Schewe, Sr., GK, Georgetown
Kenny Nielsen, Sr., D, Georgetown
Kieran Sargeant, Jr., D, Georgetown
Makel Rasheed, Sr., D, Xavier
Jackson Castro, Jr., M, Creighton
Giorgio Probo, Sr., M, Creighton
Luis Garcia, Grad., M, Providence
Dyson Clapier, So., F, Akron
Palmer Ault, So., F, Butler *
Marlon Tabora, Sr., F, Georgetown
Gevork Diarbian, Sr., F, Providence
*unanimous selection
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With the addition of Akron as an affiliate member at the onset of the 2023 season, the BIG EAST split into a Midwest Division (Akron, Butler, Creighton, DePaul, Marquette and Xavier) and an East Division (Connecticut, Georgetown, Providence, St. John's, Seton Hall and Villanova). In addition, the league's conference tournament will expand to eight teams for the first time since realignment.
Over an eight-match conference season, the team with the highest overall conference points will secure the No. 1 seed, while the team in the opposite division with the highest conference point total will secure the No. 2 seed. The remaining six seeds, regardless of division, will be determined by conference points. Quarterfinal action will get underway on Saturday, Nov. 4, with the top four seeds hosting matches.
Castro and Probo are coming off All-BIG EAST Second Team (Castro) and All-BIG EAST Third Team (Probo) selections in 2022. Castro delivered 10 goals and eight assists last season, while Probo was second in the NCAA with 14 assists and added five goals.
Creighton collected eight of 11 possible first place votes, earning 63 points. Butler and Akron each nabbed a pair of first place votes to put Butler second with 50 points and Akron third with 48 points. Rounding out the Midwest Division are Xavier (39 points), Marquette (29 points) and DePaul (17 points).
The East Division was dominated by Georgetown as the Hoyas grabbed 11 first place votes and 66 total points. Predicted to finish second is Providence with 56 points, followed by St. John's (40 points), Seton Hall (36 points). Connecticut and Villanova tied for fifth in the East with 24 points each.
Expectations for Creighton remain high for 2023 as Creighton kicks off the season ranked No. 8 in the Preseason United Soccer Coaches Association Poll. Creighton opens the 2023 regular season at No. 7 Stanford on Aug. 24 at 5:00 pm (CT).
Midwest Division (first-place votes)
1. Creighton (8)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 63
2. Butler (2)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 50
3. Akron (2)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 48
4. Xavier                          39
5. Marquette                    29
6. DePaul                        17
East Division (first-place votes)
1. Georgetown (11)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 66
2. Providence (1)Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 56
3. St. John's                     40
4. Seton Hall                    36
5. Connecticut                  24
5. Villanova                      24
Â
Preseason BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year
Palmer Ault, So., F, Butler
Â
Preseason BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year
Kenny Nielsen, Sr., D, Georgetown
Â
Preseason BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year
Ryan Schewe, Sr., GK, Georgetown
Â
Preseason All-BIG EAST Team
Ryan Schewe, Sr., GK, Georgetown
Kenny Nielsen, Sr., D, Georgetown
Kieran Sargeant, Jr., D, Georgetown
Makel Rasheed, Sr., D, Xavier
Jackson Castro, Jr., M, Creighton
Giorgio Probo, Sr., M, Creighton
Luis Garcia, Grad., M, Providence
Dyson Clapier, So., F, Akron
Palmer Ault, So., F, Butler *
Marlon Tabora, Sr., F, Georgetown
Gevork Diarbian, Sr., F, Providence
*unanimous selection
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Players Mentioned
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