Creighton men’s soccer faces its second exhibition foe Friday when the Bluejays host Nebraska-Omaha. The Mavericks are led by former CU assistant Jason Mims; he’s assisted by former Jay Tim Walters.
The Similarities
Those aren’t the only two guys connecting the programs. The schools share a number of similarities besides being in the same city.
Many thought that Mims was groomed to one day take over the Creighton job from longtime coach Bob Warming. Mims coaches club teams that have included a number of Creighton players, including Creighton All-American Brian Holt, who still spends time with Mims and the Mavericks when he can afford. Walter was a solid player for some of the more successful Creighton sides in the mid-2000s. Walters played briefly with Jeff Thayer. Jeff’s younger brother Cody, a transfer from Virginia Tech, is a key member — repping #10 — for the Mavs.
Creighton and UNO also share a similar recruiting pool. Creighton went hard after a number of Mavs including freshman Mark Moulton (Creighton Prep) and Lola Gamboa (South Sioux City) as well as dynamic sophomore Logan Mendez (Grand Island). Creighton could not match UNO’s ability to give these players playing time nor full level scholarships. UNO has made it clear they intend to cut into Creighton’s dominance for bringing in the top players in the Nebraska area. While Creighton recruits both nationally and internationally, the Jays are wise to the fact that securing the top local talent every year is key to the success of a program.
The Spring
And while Nebraska-Omaha cannot boast the tradition, and in many respects talent, that Creighton has, anything can happen in a 90 minute match. See: spring 2013, when Creighton lost to the upstart Mavs 2-1. The Mavs played a solid defensive match, frustrating a largely inexperienced Creighton squad.
After talking with a number of Creighton players this week, the Jays have not forgotten the result. They’ve circled this match as a chance to regain their bravado as the city’s top soccer team.
Tonight’s Match
With Creighton at full strength I expect Creighton to dominate possession and the play. But UNO is an experienced squad with a number of players who can change a game with one kick of the ball.
Junior MF Vance Rookwood is a player who any Big East team would love to have on their roster. The 6’2” Jamaican netted 5 goals last season and will be the man in the middle for the Mavs with Cody Thayer. The Mavs will look to Omaha South hitman Chava Garcia to score the goals along with Texas duo Christian Garcia and Jesus Perez. Look for Logan Mendez to be active on the flanks and a possible cameo for Creighton Prep goal machine Moulton.
For Creighton look for much of the same from them. Carlos McCrary should get the start up top with Timo Pitter, Bruno Castro, and likely Sonny Makh in the midfield. Christian Blandon and Zach Barnes will be asked to do the work in the center of the pitch. A back line of Jose Ribas-Brendan Hines-Ike-Eric Miller-Benito Amaral in front of Alex Bolowich will be tasked at keeping a clean sheet.
Freshman Fabian Herbers, who impressed during the Blue-White scrimmage, will be back for the Jays as well Benjamin Kucera, who suffered a head injury against Notre Dame.
This will be a good test for the Jays as UNO will be physical with Creighton and should test the patience of Creighton’s offense.
See everyone there tonight — 7 p.m. at Morrison Stadium.
