Elmar Bolowich and the Creighton Bluejays begin another quest for an elusive national championship Friday, August 22. WBR will preview the 2014 version of the Jays position by position. Read all the previews.
The 2014 Creighton men’s soccer defense will look only slightly different than the 2013 version.
The slight difference now starts in the MLS, though.
Creighton rising senior Eric Miller decided against coming back to the Hilltop for his last year of eligibility, opting instead to throw his hat in the MLS draft. Miller made a wise decision — the three-year starter at Creighton was chosen #5 by the Montreal Impact. He joins Creighton stand outs Brian Mullen (#9 – 2001 Superdraft) and Ethan Finlay (#10 – 2012 Superdraft) as the only other top 10 MLS picks in program history.
Miller’s poise and leadership was well utilized by the staff; he played all over the back line throughout his career. Miller’s versatility was one of the main factors for Montreal making him the highest pick in Creighton history.
Miller’s departure opens the door for Eric DeJulio to slot into the center of defense, a spot were he is not only most comfortable but saw time in the defense last year. DeJulio and Brendan Hines-Ike developed a solid partnership in front of Bolowich, and the three will likely lead the defense through the year.
DeJulio and Hines-Ike will be flanked by senior sensation Jose Ribas at left back and likely either Vincent Keller or freshman Lucas Stauffer on the right side.
Creighton also added depth in Dayton transfer David Abidor, who’s height, strength, and size are tailor made for Big East play. Redshirt freshman Alex Prusa continues to impress at the left back spot as well. Prusa, a converted midfielder, redshirted in 2013 but played extremely well throughout the spring season. He was very effective in last week’s Blue-White scrimmage.
Jose Ribas (#8)
(WBR/Mike Spomer — CLICK TO BUY)
The senior from Ecuador has been a staple in the starting line-up since his freshman year. The Ribas-Creighton-Bolowich story is worthy of an ESPN 30 for 30.
Ribas was highly recruited out of Ecuador by UNC and Bolowich, the Tar Heel head coach. His high school English class was not counted by the NCAA, which kept him from qualifying. So Ribas, a Jesuit high school product from UE Javier in Ecuador, decided to come to Creighton in hopes of straightening out his school work, when who takes the reigns as head coach of the program but long-time admirer Elmar Bolowich.
Bolowich told WBR that he was walking around campus right after accepting the position as Creighton head coach when he spotted Jose. He was confused yet excited to have the talented lefty on his campus and quickly placed him on the team. Ribas played well his freshman year on what is arguably the most talented Creighton team in history. Since then Jose has been a focal point of both the midfielder and now defense.
His switch to left back will likely make him a professional player, as many professional scouts and coaches see him as a viable left back. Jose possesses the technical abilities on the ball and defensive traits to be one of the better wing backs in college soccer. I am still of the impression that Ribas is the most talented pure creator on the team and could also fill in as the team’s #10, of attacking midfielder if needed.
But as he showed last year, Ribas is able to create plenty from his left back position and the offense often times runs through him. Ribas notched a team-high 6 assists from left back in 2013 and will likely top that his season. His ability to get down the left flank and serve in crosses will prove more dangerous this season as Creighton has added height in Abidor and freshman dynamo Ricky Lopez-Espin to get on the ends of crosses.
Brendan Hines-Ike (#6)
(WBR/Mike Spomer — CLICK TO BUY)
This will be Hines-Ike’s third year with the program and third year entering the season as a starter. Creighton was so impressed by what they saw in the Chivas USA product that he slotted right in next to Andrew Ribiero in the starting eleven his freshman season.
Hines-Ike could be the most improved member on the team, which is scary since he was already one of the most talented. Brendan was invited to train with his hometown Colorado Rapids first team this summer and those experiences go a long way. He’s developed into the best pure striker of a ball on the Creighton team. He will likely be the first option to strike a free-kick tailored for a right-footer.
Brendan is a blend of power and finesse. He is a classy defender who does not commit a large number of fouls. He has developed into a sure-fire MLS pick and someone who could be on the cusp of a Homegrown contract. His partnership with fellow starting centerback Eric DeJulio greatly improved over the course of 2013. Both DeJulio and Hines-Ike are good with both feet and solid in the air. Brendan is undoubtedly the leader of the defensive line, and I am sure there will be plenty of pro scouts at Morrison Stadium throughout the fall with #6 circled in their programs.
Eric DeJulio (#22)
(WBR/Mike Spomer — CLICK TO BUY)
The 6-foot-2 Sporting KC product enters the season as the other half of Creighton’s likely starting XI. He paired with Hines-Ike as the right-sided center back a number of times last season, in the spring, and finally in the Blue-White scrimmage. It would be a surprise if DeJulio was not there against a offensively gifted Stanford side.
DeJulio, like Hines-Ike, is good with both feet and reads the game extremely well. He is a consistent defensive presence who does not get dragged out of position too often, an important trait for DeJulio to possess as he is not the most fleet of foot and cannot afford to race offensive players to recover.
DeJulio was one of a number of Creighton players to gain experience in the USL leagues down in Florida this summer. DeJulio has all the tools professional scouts are looking for in a central defender, and another impressive year for the Bluejays will go a long way into putting Eric on draft boards. DeJulio does not get up the field often but when he does on corners he is highly effective. DeJulio netted twice last season and both were off headers from the corner.
Vincent Keller (#4)
(WBR/Adam Streur — CLICK TO BUY)
Keller enters the seasons as the likely starter at right back, however the versatile German could very well also slot into the starting eleven as a defensive midfielder. Keller’s versatility made him one of the most important players for the Jays last season.
Keller’s motor was incredible and might be the best on the Creighton roster.He is works tirelessly in both midfield and defense and seems to be as fit in the 88th minute as he is in the 2nd. He is a quality getting forward, and has a good relationship with Creighton’s danger man Timo Pitter who is also deployed on the right side of midfield.
Keller started all but one match last season and was second only to Ribas in assists at 4. I can very well see Bolowich playing Keller in a more centralized role this season due to Keller’s ability to read a game and connect the defense with the offense. Keller was kept out of the Blue-White game due to a groin injury. Keller is extremely hopeful he will be back in time for the season opener.
David Abidor (#2)
The Dayton transfer is poised to hit the ground running. He is familiar with the Creighton staff, style, and roster as he played for Shattuck-St. Mary’s, a club with multiple Creighton ties.
Abidor was also available in the spring, thus he has already had plenty of time to gel with a number of the teams core players. Like Keller, Abidor is likely to see time both in the defense and midfield. Abidor has a solid frame will be perfect for the Big East game. Creighton will use his height and body throughout the season at both the defensive midfield and center back spot. Abidor gives Creighton the ability to shuffle around plenty of pieces this fall. Abidor can slot into any spot on the back line or in the center of midfield. This allows Bolowich to move Hines-Ike to a more advance role in the midfield if the game calls for it. And as we saw in the Blue-White game Hines-Ike is extremely dangerous going forward, scoring two beautiful goals. Bolowich can move Hines-Ike out of the heart of defense and pair Abidor and DeJulio, which would give the Jays two 6-foot-2 defenders — that could prove useful against teams who can’t break down the Jays midfielders and resort to chucking the ball up in the air at Creighton’s back line. Wherever he plays, it is clear that Abidor will play, and likely be a key player for Creighton this season.
Alex Prusa (#25)
Prusa has worked his way into the conversation as a viable candidate for playing time this season, something that seemed unlikely at this time last year. He has not only seemed to embrace his move to left back, but seems to own that position. Obviously he is not going to oust Ribas for playing time, but if the Jays do chose to move Jose farther up the field, it will be in part due to the confidence the staff has in Alex’s abilities at that spot.
Prusa is a tenacious defender and never commits himself to poor challenges or positioning. He played with Blue roster during the Blue-White scrimmage, which paired him the second string defense and the first string offense. He was effective in linking up with the starting midfielders an attackers going forward. Look for his playing time to greatly increase over the course of the season.
Blake McNelis (#17)
The imposing center back from Colorado comes in to the Creighton program with a reputation of consistency as his main strength. Blake has been a staple for the USSDA club Real Colorado. He will be fighting for a spot behind DeJulio, Abidor, and Hines-Ike in the center of defense.
Mitch LaGro (#5)
LaGro is listed as a midfielder on the official Creighton roster, but will likely see minutes in the defense this season. He was a valuable member of the highly success Solar Chelsea club team and was one of the better defenders in Texas each of the last two seasons. LaGro partnered with McNelis to form the starting central defense for the Blue team in the 2014 scrimmage. LaGro was solid on the ball and seemed to be comfortable leading the second string defense in that match. He organizes the line well and reads the game in front of him well.
Jovan Gorman-Carter (#19)
Gorman-Carter comes to Creighton via the Minnesota Thunder program. The Thunder produced such players as Eric Miller, US U17 star Mukwelle Akale, now in Spain with Villarreal ,and 2015 star player and UCLA commit Jackson Yueill. Gorman-Carter showed real well during the Blue-White scrimmage. It is easy to pick Jovan out of the crowd with his trademark hair-style. Despite being listed as a defender, Gorman-Carter seemed a natural in the midfield in the match. He was decent in linking up forwards Lopez-Espin and Kim, and was one of the main creators on the White team. He lacked match sharpness and at times his final ball was lacking but he did seem to be a lively player. He’s one to watch.
Dante Spinelli (#21)
Spinelli played the last few years in Florida with IMG Academy but was raised in the New England area so he is familiar with the Big East. At times Spinelli can be shifted to the outside left back spot but he seems more comfortable in the middle of defense. He is good with both feet and provides stability in the middle of the park. His versatility will be is greatest aspect, as he can fill a number of holes for the Jays if injuries arise.