Creighton’s men’s and women’s soccer teams continue to impress on the pitch. The past week has seen Bruce Erickson’s team beat Indiana State and drop a close match to Northern Colorado, while Bob Warming’s squad split two games in Seattle against Washington and Portland and then picked up a 1-0 win against Bradley.
White & Blue Review caught up with both coaches before another busy week of collegiate soccer begins for their teams, who will play a homecoming doubleheader at Morrison Stadium on Saturday.
Bob Warming
Although the record may indicate that his Bluejays have struggled a bit in the past few weeks, Warming is pleased with the progress his team has made.
“We are really starting to get to the point that I have envisioned we need to be at as a program. That is players playing for the team and their teammates,” Warming said.
With all of the talk about this team having the potential to be one of the best in Creighton history, the expectations are enormous. The coaching staff has kept them focused on the goals outlined at the onset of the season, a job made tougher by some of the early season offensive droughts.
“Everyone will slip up or make mistakes every now and then and there are three ways you can approach those mistakes,” Warming said. “You can feel sorry and apologize, you can blame others for your mistakes, or you can do what you can to fix them and make it right. I think our men are focused on making things right and continuing to improve. Sunday was good, and played some of our best soccer, so we are showing some real improvements.”
The Bluejays host Evansville for homecoming on Saturday night. More than 100 former Creighton players and their families will be in town for alumni weekend.
“This is a real fun weekend for us, and it is always great to see the old guys and see how they have succeeded in life and reminisce about some of the best days of their lives,” Warming said. As for the current players, he makes sure they know who they are playing in front of. “The guys on the field on Saturday are playing in front of the athletes that made all of this possible. The team now hasn’t earned anything, and it is the former Creighton players that built this program,” he said.
When asked about the Jays’ opponent, Warming agreed with all of the “expert” sports website that were sure the Purple Aces would pose a challenge to Creighton, calling it a wide open match. And when asked who his player to watch this week would be, at home against Evansville and on the road at Missouri State, Warming offered a few options.
“Ethan [Finlay] is having a good run right now, but the back four and Brian Holt continue to play extremely well.”
Creighton's Ethan Finlay
Bruce Erickson
WBR: You were able to open the conference schedule with a win over Indiana State. How do you build on that victory?
Erickson: Taking it one game at a time. We were good enough to win but didn’t play as well as we would have liked. We need to build on playing better with Missouri State coming to town.
WBR: Coming off the non-conference loss to Northern Colorado, what are you and your staff doing to get your players focused for MSU?
Erickson: Forgetting that game and moving on. We created enough chances to score 7 goals but couldn’t get it done. We need to focus on doing the things that win us games.
WBR: Your successful non-conference slate is complete and you turn all attention to conference action. How important is conference play for your team this season?
Erickson: Missouri Valley Conference play is our season. How we do in the Valley dictates our postseason plans. It allows us to reach our goal of a MVC championship and the NCAA berth that goes along with it.
WBR: What can we expect from Missouri State on Saturday?
Erickson: They are a very difficult team to play against. They’re very physical, but dangerous too.
WBR: Who will be your player to watch?
Erickson: Emily Orbell needs to be a difference maker!
After you watch the women at 1:30 p.m. at the men at 6:00 p.m. Saturday, make sure to stop at Brazen Head Irish Pub for the first White & Blue Review Postgame Pint Night.