Saint Mary’s (1-2-3) narrowly missed the NCAA Tournament last year, and will obviously have a chip on their shoulder as they try to return to the postseason. Creighton will be the Gaels’ third big game in as many weeks (facing UCLA and Sacramento State on the prior two weekends) and their first trip outside the state of California.
The Gaels led the West Coast Conference in shutouts last season, and in 2010 their defenders were responsible for a large part of their offense. The Gaels have scored just three goals through Saint Mary’s first six games, including one in a 2-1 loss to the Bruins. The Bluejays have shut out every opponent thus far, and the Gaels have been blanked three times in six matches.
Creighton will be the heavy favorite in this match, but Saint Mary’s could cause problems for the Jays, who hope to get a win before the brutal upcoming stretch of the season.