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Men's Soccer

Instant Reaction: Creighton vs. Princeton

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Coming off a gutsy win this last Saturday, the Bluejays rolled into New Jersey to take on a hungry and improving Princeton Tiger squad.

The game began real quick, with the slick field and miscommunication leading to the games initial goal. Princeton took full advantage of good field position with a long throw that nearly went into Creighton’s net on its own. With the Creighton defense unable to head clear, and Alex Bolowich caught amongst the screening Tiger forwards, Princeton nailed in the first goal.

Jose “Choco” Gomez tallied three assists against Princeton in Creighton’s 3-2 overtime win Tuesday (Mike Spomer/WBR)

Following that, Creighton really took charge of the game and seemed to find their feet on the slippery surface. It was Senior Jose Gomez, in front of a national audience (and scouts), who was instrumental in Creighton’s dominance the entire rest of the first half. Gomez played a sublime pass through the Tiger defense, to an on-rushing Sean Kim, who chipped the keeper and equalized for the Jays. The rest of the first half saw Creighton hold the ball, spread the field and make Princeton chase.

Creighton started the second half the way it ended the first, on the front foot. Gomez, freshman Timo Pitter and Kim continually caused Princeton fits. It was Gomez and Pitter who combined beautifully outside the Princeton box and found a bombing Jose Ribas for a goal the ESPNU commentators described as “Five-Star quality.”

However, Princeton quickly found itself back in the game, as a lofted ball into the Creighton box caused mass confusion that led to a Tiger shot right into an unsuspecting Brendan Hines-Ike arm. Tough call for the Jays freshman who had a great performance overall, yet one that often goes against an away team, and Princeton equalized.

The rest of the second half was fairly equal. Yet, with less than 10 minutes left a communication error between Jake Brown and Bolowich saw a Tiger come in between them and draw another PK. Although this time there was a much different result. Bolowich came up huge with not just one but TWO big saves on the Tigers PK shooter. Those saves kept the Jays in the game, forcing overtime.

The Jays wasted little time asserting its midfielder dominance. Gomez again picked up the ball and slotted a perfectly weight pass into Benito Amaral, who played extremely well at right back all night,  who passed it right by the Princeton keeper. This was the second consecutive overtime win for the Jays. Creighton looks to be playing some solid ball, grinding out two difficult games in a week. Video of the Gomez-Amaral Goal!

I feel I need to restate how well Gomez was in this game. He looked as confident as he was lethal with his passing. Gomez clearly realized the stage that he was presented with being on ESPNU impressing national audience with his deft touches, vision and leadership down the stretch. Jose Ribas played equally as well from his adopted left back spot. Ribas wasn’t beaten often, and is great at getting forward into the attack. Notable games from Andrew Ribeiro, Zach Barnes and Brent Kallman provided a strong spine for the Jays against the physical Princeton attack. All three of those guys are coming off a solid couple games and with Jake Brown seem to be gelling when it matters.

Another strong effort was found from freshman Vincent Keller who returned from injury to provide solid wing play. Fellow freshman Myles Englis and transfer Sonny Mahk gave Coach Bolowich good minutes.

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