When it comes to sports, especially sports in a tournament setting, a certain amount of blind luck often accompanies success. On the flip side, bad luck can easily destroy a season.
The 2014 Creighton Bluejays men’s soccer team hasn’t allowed misfortune to derail their dreams. Key injuries to freshman sensation Ricky Lopez-Espin saw the Jays’ potent offense take a large hit. At the time his season shut down Lopez-Espin was playing at an extremely high level, with national media proclaiming him the top freshman in the country. Creighton lost defensive leader Brendan Hines-Ike around the same time, too, as he left the program. Only a few weeks later talismanic midfielder Fernando Castellanos went down with the dreaded metatarsal injury.
Check out photos from Creighton’s NCAA Tournament win vs. Oregon State.
A promising CU soccer season all of the sudden seemed to be in a tailspin. Heading in to the year Creighton saw the strength of the team in its depth. It would be tested now.
Following these setbacks a number of Creighton’s leaders upped their game. Fabian Herbers, one of the most dangerous attackers in the Big East, elevated his game to become one of the most dangerous players in the nation. Herbers’ late game heroics at St. John’s and Xavier kept the Jays within reach of claiming the Big East championship. And Creighton’s Jose Ribas once again began getting forward in the attack.
Hebers’ fellow Germans Timo Pitter and Vincent Keller were instrumental to the Jays success as Big East regular season champs, as were Eric DeJulio, Ricardo Perez, and Mike Paye.
But despite amazing statistical years from Herbers and Pitter, I would make the argument that the squad’s Most Valuable Player has been transfer David Abidor. The fifth-year senior from Dayton stepped right in to Hines-Ike’s place without missing a beat.
Abidor Helps Bluejays Overcome Battle Bad Luck
Abidor is a prime example of Creighton’s early season depth. David was getting very limited minutes behind starters Hines-Ike and Paye/Castellanos in the midfield. At the time it was hard to argue as the entire starting line-up was playing so well. Following the injuries and departure, Creighton’s season could have easily gone off the tracks if not for Abidor’s success. He quickly became the vocal leader on the field and the rock of Creighton’s stingy defense.
Throughout the year Creighton tested itself against some of the best competition in the country in hopes of securing home-field advantage throughout the NCAA Tournament. Despite having one of the top resumes, the Jays were placed as the tournament’s overall #12 seed.
As the 12-seed the Jays received a bye in the first round and then a guaranteed home match before likely having to go on the road twice to reach their goal of making it back to the College Cup. However, that’s when Lady Luck started flirting with the Big East champs.
National 5-seed Indiana and 4-seed Maryland, the only two higher ranked teams in Creighton’s bracket, were upset at home by Xavier and UMBC respectively. That tumult ensured the Bluejays would have home field as long as they kept winning.
Similarly, Creighton midfielder Fernando Castellanos rejoined the squad following his foot injury and has looked superb in limited minutes. Getting a player like Castellanos back to the team at this point in the season is immense.
Knocking on the Door of Another College Cup
Convincing victories against a physical Oregon State and well organized Xavier team has once again led Creighton and head coach Elmar Bolowich to the precipice of the College Cup, NCAA soccer’s version of the Final Four, held next weekend in Cary, North Carolina.
Standing in Creighton’s way is tonight’s shock opponent UMBC, vanquishers of Maryland and Louisville in consecutive weeks on the road. UMBC is led by the team’s long-time legendary coach Pete Caringi, at the helm since 1991.
Don’t expect the Retrievers to be caught in the lights of Fort Morrison tonight. They’ve posted road wins against the Terps and Cardinals, leaving two difficult places to play with victories. That alone should have the Jays attention.
The Retrievers are led by seniors Oumar Ballo, Jordan Becker, and Marquez Fernandez (5-foot-8) in the back. Seniors also dominate the Retrievers midfield, with Stephen Ho and Mamadou Kansaye. Also watch out for junior Malcolm Harris, a former U.S. Youth National team player. Up top, senior forward Kay Banjo leads the team with 8 goals and is the focal point of the UMBC attack.
One thing’s for sure: UMBC will not be phased on this stage.
If you’ve read this far you are required to go the match tonight. Do your part Creighton fans. Get loud. This team is three wins away from a national championship. A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP. Why would you not support the cause? It’s going to be ‘nice’ tonight; I urge you to make your way to Morrison to cheer on the White & Blue!