Elmar Bolowich and the Creighton Bluejays begin another quest for an elusive national championship Friday, August 30. Each day this week, WBR will preview the 2013 version of the Jays position by position. Click here to read them all.
Unlike the other levels of Creighton’s roster, the forward line did not lose a player this offseason. However, the attacking line was less than impressive for the Jays in 2012, scoring only 5 of the team’s 39 goals.
For most of the season Sean Kim was the front man of choice under Elmar Bolowich. Kim is an excellent worker with speed to burn. He was ideal for what the 2012 squad needed from its front man — he provided lots of pressure and took scoring opportunities when they presented.
However, as pure goal scoring goes, Carlos McCrary is more of a true center forward. He’s powerful and strong, has a good right foot, and finds pockets in the six yard box to bang in the goals. McCrary could not seem to put in many shifts that produced similar results as what Kim was getting, thus his PT was limited.
This season, however, that forward line might be in needed of a pure scorer instead of the continuous pressure. McCrary has looked sharp and more fit thus far through the two exhibition matches and in practice. His battering-ram style matches perfectly for the type of hard-nosed defenders Creighton will encounter in the Big East.
Look for Creighton to swap in and out McCrary and Kim. The combo of McCrary’s strength and Kim’s work-ethic will frustrate a number of defenses this year.
NC State transfer Zabarle Kollie is also one to watch at this position. Kollie was the third leading scorer on NC State’s roster as a sub. He played for Bolowich under the Triangle ’91 side that won the club national championship in 2010.
Carlos McCrary (Senior)
Carlos McCrary (#14)
McCrary is as pure a goal scorer. He scores in bunches and is a player that when confident can lead a league in scoring. His work-rate was questioned by some last season. But so far this season McCrary seems to be working hard at the pinnacle of Bolowich’s formation, and he’s been rewarded with scoring the only two goals a Jay produced before Friday’s draw against Nebraska-Omaha.
Sean Kim (#9)
Sean Kim (Senior)
Kim was the starter for much of the season last year. Choco Gomez was excellent going forward but did not produce much defensively. Because of this Bolowich used the hard-working Kim to put pressure on opposing defenses and midfields. This season with players like Bruno Castro, Ricardo Perez, Sonny Makh, and Myles Englis in this role Bolowich can select a striker based more on goal scoring form. Kim and McCrary will likely split time up top all season and swap multiple times during each game.
Zabarle Kollie (Sophomore)
Zabarle Kollie (#23)
The junior transfer from NC State is well known to Bolowich and his system. Kollie played with Alex Bolowich under Elmar in the very successful Triangle ’91 club side. Kollie is extremely confident on the ball and will be a player Creighton will ask to take on opposing defenses.