The Creighton men’s soccer team is out of town this weekend. The Bluejays play matches at Santa Clara Friday and at Saint Mary’s Sunday. WBR caught up with coach Elmar Bolowich during the team’s west coast tour. Here’s what he had to say in recapping last weekend’s Ameritas Classic and previewing the two matches this weekend.
WBR: Last weekend was a big one for your soccer program. Between coming away with a draw against nationally ranked Akron and beating a good Rutgers team, can you give us your thoughts about the weekend as a whole?
EB: Well, as a whole the weekend was OK. We wanted to try a lot of different formations throughout the weekend and try a lot of players at different spots. It was tough heading into the Rutgers game, having played a full overtime game less than 48 hours before. The Rutgers game was tough also because of the heat. We knew we wanted to mix things up. The first half of that game was some of the worst soccer I have seen. We came out flat and with little fire.
WBR: Do you think that the 48-hour turnaround had a lot to do with that?
EB: Yes and no. I don’t think you can use the excuse of exhaustion when you come out in the second half of that game and play really well. I think there was a lack of leadership on the field in the first half and I think it started to show in the second half. In the first half we were not focused and we were not sharp.
WBR: Were you pleased with the result against Akron?
EB: Yes and no. I was pleased how the game unfolded. Akron is a very good team that forces you to beat them. They do not make a lot of mistakes and they are a good team; having a draw against them come the end of the season will definitely benefit us. As far as the result goes, no I was not happy. When you factor in that you are at home, you want to win all those games. I have said before that this season will be an ongoing process, and as long as we can improve after each game, we will be getter as we go along.
WBR: Can you talk a little about the California trip?
EB: Well, we will be facing two different styles on this trip. Santa Clara will be an aggressive and physical team. They are very strong and they play on grass. We will then head out to take on a very good Saint Mary’s team that we are familiar with from their visit to Omaha last year. They played a very competitive match against us last year and they are a very well coached team. They will be very organized and disciplined.
WBR: How is the team health?
EB: Everyone is good and ready to play.