Friday, September 8
Omaha, Neb.
7:00 PM
Creighton University
vs
Michigan
Photo by: Justin Kreutzian
Men's Soccer to Battle Michigan During 11th Annual Socctoberfest
9/7/2023 1:12:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Omaha, Neb. -- The Creighton Men's Soccer (0-2-2) team faces off with Michigan (1-1-2) in the Bluejays' 11th Annual Socctoberfest match on Friday, September 8th with a scheduled start at 7:00 p.m.
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Series History: Series Tied, 1-1-0
Creighton and Michigan have met twice previously, splitting matches on the home pitch by 1-0 decisions.
Date   Opponent   Score
Oct. 15, 2013   at Michigan   L, 0-1
Aug. 28, 2015   Michigan   W, 1-0
Socctoberfest History
Friday's match with No. 2 Stanford marks Creighton's 12th Annual Socctoberfest event. The event is open to all Creighton fans and cost is $30 per person for advance reservations and, subject to availability, $35 per person at the door. The event includes live music by the band Pink Kadillac , a commemorative 20-ounce Creighton Socctoberfest glass stein,
a 20-ounce stein fill, a meal ticket and a complimentary general admission ticket good both the women's and men's soccer matches. Additional 20-ounce refills will also be available for purchase.
The Bluejays are an impressive 8-1-1 during Socctoberfest matches, falling only to No. 1 Georgetown in 2021.
Creighton has averaged a crowd of 4,228 during the 10 seasons of Socctoberfest.
Previous Socctoberfest Matches
Date   Opponent   Result   Atten.
Oct. 20, 2012   Bradley   W, 1-0   1,843
Sept. 6, 2013   Columbia   W, 3-1   5,102 +
Sept. 5, 2014   Western Illinois   W, 1-0   3,750
Sept. 4, 2015   Cal State Northridge   W, 2-1   4,907 ^
Sept. 9, 2016   Penn   W, 3-0   2,888
Sept. 8, 2017   South Florida   W, 2-0   3,889
Sept. 7, 2018Â Â Â Memphis, Â Â Â W, 2-0Â Â Â 4,367
Sept. 6, 2019   #21 Akron   W, 2-1   4,818 #
Sept. 19, 2021   #1 Georgetown   L, 1-2   6,577 $
Sept. 9, 2022   #2 Stanford   T, 1-1   4,136
$ - 2nd-best single match attendance
+ - 11th-best single match attendance
^ - 12th-best single match attendance
# - 14th-best single match attendance
Scouting Michigan (1-1-2)
The Wolverines began the 2023 season with three consecutive home matches, which resulted in 1-1 draw to Loyola Marymount, a 2-0 win over California Baptist, and a 1-1 draw to No.9 Akron respectively. In their first away game of the season, the Wolverines fell to Bowling Green 2-1.
Last season, the Wolverines posted a 4-10-3 record, going 1-6-1 in conference play. Returning to the net for the Wolverines is junior goalkeeper Hayden Evans who recorded 1,170 minutes and 44 saves in the 2022 season. Evans posted three shutouts in the 2022 season, and has already recorded one shutout against California Baptist in 2023.
Absent for Michigan this season is Nicholas Kaloukian, who scored a team-high four goals in 2022. Junior midfielder Bryce Blevins, who ranked second for the Wolverines with a total of seven points last season, returns to the pitch in 2023. He has already recorded one goal against California Baptist.
Scouting Creighton (0-2-2)
The Bluejays opened the season with a California weekend that ended in a loss to No. 7 Stanford 3-1 and a 0-0 draw against UC Irvine. Upon returning to Morrison Stadium, Creighton suffered a 2-1 loss to Grand Canyon University in their home opener.
In their latest match against Denver, the Bluejays recorded a strong second half that allowed for an equalizing goal by freshman midfielder Miguel Arilla on a free kick, to deliver a 2-2 draw. Â
Against Denver, the Bluejays recorded eight shots to the Pioneers' four shots in the second half. Creighton also took advantage of opportunities in the 18-yard box to accumulate five corner kicks in the second half alone, totaling eight corner kicks for the match as compared to Denver's three.
The Long and Short of Goals
Entering the 2023 season, senior Luke Mitchell had played 3,319 minutes for the Bluejays, while freshman Miguel Arilla saw his first action in the season opener.
Both Mitchell and Arilla delivered their first goal as a Bluejay in Creighton's 2-2 draw at Denver on Sept. 4. For Mitchell the goal came in his 3,614th minute as a Bluejay. Conversely Arilla collected his first goal in his 159th minute with Creighton.
A Little Extra Motivation
Mitchell's first goal was a little sweeter as the Colorado native grew up less than a mile from the University of Denver campus. Luke headed in a goal in front of family, friends and a few players he faced in high school as well.
Former Teammates Torres and Daley Share Pitch as Opposing Head Coaches
Creighton head coach Johnny Torres and Michigan head coach Chaka Daley have a shared history as the two were teammates on the New England Revolution (MLS) in 1998-99. In addition the pair faced off as opponents during the same time as Daley spent some of those seasons with the Boston Bulldogs, the A-League affiliate of the Revolution. Friday will mark the first time that Torres and Daley battle as head coaches.
Daley is in his 12th season as the Wolverine's head coach, Daley enters Friday's contest with a 91-81-36 record. Torres, meanwhile, is in his fifth season at the held for Creighton. Torres enters Friday's match with a 36-28-12 record. Â
Bluejays Pay Tribute to Ira Philson before Friday's Match
Ira Philson, a 2003 inductee into the Creighton Athletics Hall of Fame, passed away in late March.
Known to many as "Peanut," Philson was a key member of the Creighton men's soccer program that laid the foundation for success that continues to this day.
Arriving in 1990 to help restart the men's soccer program that had been dormant for four seasons, the Baton Rouge native was part of a freshman class that ranks as one of the best in college history. By the time that group graduated four years later, they had played in two NCAA Tournaments, were ranked first nationally, and won a pair of Missouri Valley Conference titles.
Philson started 70-of-75 career games while earning all-Valley accolades in both 1992 and 1993. A two-time all-Midwest Region selection, he was honored as the MVC Defensive Player of the Year in 1993. Philson's teams went a combined 57-14-6 while losing just one regular-season game in MVC play.
In addition to his performance on the field, Philson was also a fixture when it came time for CU student-athletes to visit elementary schools throughout the Omaha area, starting the popular Peanut Gallery program. He frequently led the children in song while stressing the importance of a positive attitude, staying in school and saying no to drugs and alcohol, all while mixing in soccer demonstrations.
After graduating Creighton with a Bachelor of Arts degree in May of 1994, Philson was an assistant coach with the Bluejay men's soccer team. In July of 1995, he was named head coach of the CU women' soccer team. In four seasons as head coach, Philson went 38-32-3.
Philson remained loyal to the Bluejays to the end, attending Creighton's College Cup game in December in North Carolina with his son, Miles. He is survived by his wife Carrie Eberly Philson, son Miles, and daughters Lauren, Olivia and Elle.
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Socctoberfest
Michigan at Creighton
Friday, September 8 @ 7:00 pm
Stats: https://creighton.statbroadcast.com
Online Stream - FloFC: https://www.flofc.com/live/67339
Radio - 1290 AM: https://player.listenlive.co/52391
Spanish Radio - 1020 AM: https://player.listenlive.co/49031/es
Â
Michigan at Creighton
Friday, September 8 @ 7:00 pm
Stats: https://creighton.statbroadcast.com
Online Stream - FloFC: https://www.flofc.com/live/67339
Radio - 1290 AM: https://player.listenlive.co/52391
Spanish Radio - 1020 AM: https://player.listenlive.co/49031/es
Series History: Series Tied, 1-1-0
Creighton and Michigan have met twice previously, splitting matches on the home pitch by 1-0 decisions.
Date   Opponent   Score
Oct. 15, 2013   at Michigan   L, 0-1
Aug. 28, 2015   Michigan   W, 1-0
Socctoberfest History
Friday's match with No. 2 Stanford marks Creighton's 12th Annual Socctoberfest event. The event is open to all Creighton fans and cost is $30 per person for advance reservations and, subject to availability, $35 per person at the door. The event includes live music by the band Pink Kadillac , a commemorative 20-ounce Creighton Socctoberfest glass stein,
a 20-ounce stein fill, a meal ticket and a complimentary general admission ticket good both the women's and men's soccer matches. Additional 20-ounce refills will also be available for purchase.
The Bluejays are an impressive 8-1-1 during Socctoberfest matches, falling only to No. 1 Georgetown in 2021.
Creighton has averaged a crowd of 4,228 during the 10 seasons of Socctoberfest.
Previous Socctoberfest Matches
Date   Opponent   Result   Atten.
Oct. 20, 2012   Bradley   W, 1-0   1,843
Sept. 6, 2013   Columbia   W, 3-1   5,102 +
Sept. 5, 2014   Western Illinois   W, 1-0   3,750
Sept. 4, 2015   Cal State Northridge   W, 2-1   4,907 ^
Sept. 9, 2016   Penn   W, 3-0   2,888
Sept. 8, 2017   South Florida   W, 2-0   3,889
Sept. 7, 2018Â Â Â Memphis, Â Â Â W, 2-0Â Â Â 4,367
Sept. 6, 2019   #21 Akron   W, 2-1   4,818 #
Sept. 19, 2021   #1 Georgetown   L, 1-2   6,577 $
Sept. 9, 2022   #2 Stanford   T, 1-1   4,136
$ - 2nd-best single match attendance
+ - 11th-best single match attendance
^ - 12th-best single match attendance
# - 14th-best single match attendance
Scouting Michigan (1-1-2)
The Wolverines began the 2023 season with three consecutive home matches, which resulted in 1-1 draw to Loyola Marymount, a 2-0 win over California Baptist, and a 1-1 draw to No.9 Akron respectively. In their first away game of the season, the Wolverines fell to Bowling Green 2-1.
Last season, the Wolverines posted a 4-10-3 record, going 1-6-1 in conference play. Returning to the net for the Wolverines is junior goalkeeper Hayden Evans who recorded 1,170 minutes and 44 saves in the 2022 season. Evans posted three shutouts in the 2022 season, and has already recorded one shutout against California Baptist in 2023.
Absent for Michigan this season is Nicholas Kaloukian, who scored a team-high four goals in 2022. Junior midfielder Bryce Blevins, who ranked second for the Wolverines with a total of seven points last season, returns to the pitch in 2023. He has already recorded one goal against California Baptist.
Scouting Creighton (0-2-2)
The Bluejays opened the season with a California weekend that ended in a loss to No. 7 Stanford 3-1 and a 0-0 draw against UC Irvine. Upon returning to Morrison Stadium, Creighton suffered a 2-1 loss to Grand Canyon University in their home opener.
In their latest match against Denver, the Bluejays recorded a strong second half that allowed for an equalizing goal by freshman midfielder Miguel Arilla on a free kick, to deliver a 2-2 draw. Â
Against Denver, the Bluejays recorded eight shots to the Pioneers' four shots in the second half. Creighton also took advantage of opportunities in the 18-yard box to accumulate five corner kicks in the second half alone, totaling eight corner kicks for the match as compared to Denver's three.
The Long and Short of Goals
Entering the 2023 season, senior Luke Mitchell had played 3,319 minutes for the Bluejays, while freshman Miguel Arilla saw his first action in the season opener.
Both Mitchell and Arilla delivered their first goal as a Bluejay in Creighton's 2-2 draw at Denver on Sept. 4. For Mitchell the goal came in his 3,614th minute as a Bluejay. Conversely Arilla collected his first goal in his 159th minute with Creighton.
A Little Extra Motivation
Mitchell's first goal was a little sweeter as the Colorado native grew up less than a mile from the University of Denver campus. Luke headed in a goal in front of family, friends and a few players he faced in high school as well.
Former Teammates Torres and Daley Share Pitch as Opposing Head Coaches
Creighton head coach Johnny Torres and Michigan head coach Chaka Daley have a shared history as the two were teammates on the New England Revolution (MLS) in 1998-99. In addition the pair faced off as opponents during the same time as Daley spent some of those seasons with the Boston Bulldogs, the A-League affiliate of the Revolution. Friday will mark the first time that Torres and Daley battle as head coaches.
Daley is in his 12th season as the Wolverine's head coach, Daley enters Friday's contest with a 91-81-36 record. Torres, meanwhile, is in his fifth season at the held for Creighton. Torres enters Friday's match with a 36-28-12 record. Â
Bluejays Pay Tribute to Ira Philson before Friday's Match
Ira Philson, a 2003 inductee into the Creighton Athletics Hall of Fame, passed away in late March.
Known to many as "Peanut," Philson was a key member of the Creighton men's soccer program that laid the foundation for success that continues to this day.
Arriving in 1990 to help restart the men's soccer program that had been dormant for four seasons, the Baton Rouge native was part of a freshman class that ranks as one of the best in college history. By the time that group graduated four years later, they had played in two NCAA Tournaments, were ranked first nationally, and won a pair of Missouri Valley Conference titles.
Philson started 70-of-75 career games while earning all-Valley accolades in both 1992 and 1993. A two-time all-Midwest Region selection, he was honored as the MVC Defensive Player of the Year in 1993. Philson's teams went a combined 57-14-6 while losing just one regular-season game in MVC play.
In addition to his performance on the field, Philson was also a fixture when it came time for CU student-athletes to visit elementary schools throughout the Omaha area, starting the popular Peanut Gallery program. He frequently led the children in song while stressing the importance of a positive attitude, staying in school and saying no to drugs and alcohol, all while mixing in soccer demonstrations.
After graduating Creighton with a Bachelor of Arts degree in May of 1994, Philson was an assistant coach with the Bluejay men's soccer team. In July of 1995, he was named head coach of the CU women' soccer team. In four seasons as head coach, Philson went 38-32-3.
Philson remained loyal to the Bluejays to the end, attending Creighton's College Cup game in December in North Carolina with his son, Miles. He is survived by his wife Carrie Eberly Philson, son Miles, and daughters Lauren, Olivia and Elle.
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Players Mentioned
M
/ Men's Soccer
D
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