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Men's Soccer

Instant Reaction: Creighton vs. SIU-E (MVC Championship)

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In all my years of watching soccer I have never seen a match like today’s clash for the Valley tournament championship.

Both Creighton and SIU-E entered the game confident that no matter the result the NCAA tournament was within their reach. Creighton, #12 RPI team in the nation, entered with less to lose, yet in the opening 10 minutes applied high pressure and had some decent scoring opportunities. The Jays deployed Vincent Keller at the top of their attack, with Jose Gomez, Timo Pitter and Bruno Castro directly behind him. Keller, who battle hamstring issue during the middle of the season, usually saw time at fullback and on the wing.

Then came the wind.

It quickly became apparent that the most influential move either team made in the first 45 minutes was winning the coin toss and selecting to play with the wind. SIU-E gained dominance over the ball and pinned the Jays into their half for the remainder of the 45. Creighton could not clear the ball over the top of the SIU-E defense and allow Keller, Pitter or Gomez to chase. The Cougars did an excellent job of clogging passing lanes literally making it impossible for the Jays to relieve pressure and clear the ball out of their half. Continuous long ranges shots peppered Jeff Gal in goal. Gal did a tremendous job saving attempt after attempt from efforts that were made much more difficult by the wind. One effort from Gal off a goal kick summed up exactly what Creighton dealt with in the first half. For the first time all year Creighton was playing for the whistle.

Credit both coaching staffs though. SIU-E saw an advantage, jumped on it, and played very well. They are a good group of players led by many senior leaders. Though, it was Bolowich who had the foresight to put disciplined players out on the field, kept good shape and saw out a very lopsided half of soccer.

Following the break Creighton was looking forward to playing along with the wind. Bolowich moved Ribiero into the midfield expecting his Jays to pin the Cougars inside their half and allow Ribiero, Pitter and Gomez to pepper the net. This was not the case. The wind which literally was blowing directly at Creighton’s net had shifted slightly to blow across the field. The Jays were caught off guard allowing SIU-E to retain possession and create many dangerous opportunities. However, with 20 minutes to go the wind again shifted and an errant goal kick from SIU-E allowed Brent Kallman to chip the ball over the defense onto Choco’s right foot, who skillfully slotted it past the keeper.

With Creighton up 1-0 and with the wind, it seemed the Jays would see this game out easily. SIU-E did not get the memo. The Cougars came back and quickly forced the Jays with waves of pressure. Creighton seemed to bunker in. This further invited Cougar pressure and with 10 minutes to go SIU-E got a well worked goal, that Gal had no chance at saving.

With the title in the balance, Creighton attempted to regain control through trademark high pressure and quick combinations. With minutes remaining a well timed overlap allowed Benito Amaral in behind the Cougar defense where he was taken down in the box. Senior captain Andrew Ribiero stepped up to the spot with the conference tournament title on the line. His right footed blast was saved by the Cougar keeper but Ribiero stayed with the play and side-footed the rebound into the side net for the tournament victory.

Brent Kallman, Andrew Ribiero, Eric Miller were named to the All-Tournament team, along with Jose Gomez who was named MVP.

Here is Bolowich post-game comments.

 

 

 

 

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