It has been a good month for Creighton Men’s Soccer. After toppling Washington at home they scored two of the bigger upsets in the NCAA tournament thus far knocking off Akron and UConn on the road. National media and players seemed to have taken notice of how good Coach Bolowich has this program going right now.
Jose Gomez wins TopDrawerSoccer.com Player of the Year
Gomez wins the prestigious award ahead of Akron’s Scott Caldwell, Maryland’s Patrick Mullins and Indiana’s Eriq Zavelata. Zavaleta is a name Creighton fans should get to know for the Jay upcoming clash against Indiana this Friday, 7:30 central time ESPNU.
I have had top scouts and coaches tell me they feel Choco Gomez is one of the most “technically gifted midfielder in the United States, that includes the professional ranks”. It has been a pleasure to watch Gomez dazzle Morrison crowds for the last three years, and this award is a fitting for the Jays all-time best #10.
Freshman Jeff Gal and Timo Pitter included in All-Freshman teams
One of the most exciting aspects to this Creighton team is just how young they are. At times this year Creighton deployed as many as 4-5 freshman on the field. Gal, Pitter, Vincent Keller, Brendan Hines-Ike, Myles Enlgis, Christian Blandon and Eric DeJulio highlight a talent freshman class.
Gal in particular has been extraordinary this last month helping the Jays into the College Cup after huge games away at Akron and UConn, His game at Akron earned him praise from media across the country. Gal was named to TopDrawerSoccer.com first team All-Freshman.
Aside from Gomez, no player has been more important in the Creighton attack this year than Timo Pitter. Pitter arrived as a late recruit under Bolowich.
He was such a late addition that he was not involved in the teams official photo. Jays fans everywhere are glad he showed up. The freshman sensation lead the Jays in goals and was behind some of the bigger movements the Jays made all year. His lethal left foot wowed Creighton fans all year. He burst into the spotlight during the teams exhibition match against fellow College Cup participant Maryland, after a 20 yard lazer found its way into the upper corner. Morrison knew Bolowich had unearthed another gem. Pitter was named to CollegeSoccerNews.com first team All-Freshman and TopDrawerSoccer.com second team All-Freshman.
Jays score two top players in the midwest on the recruiting trial
2013 – Ricardo Perez – Midfielder – Colorado Rapids U18
I can confirm that Creighton has secured the commitment of two of the top rated players in the midwest. 2013 midfielder Ricardo Perez from the Colorado Rapids U18 program will join the Jays next season. Perez is a creative midfielder very much in the Choco Gomez role. He is rated by TopDrawerSoccer.com as the #1 rated player in the Rocky Mountain area and the #19 player in the 2013 class. Perez has trained with the Rapids full team, and has played a number of times with the Rapids Reserve squad. Look for Perez to make an immediate impact at Morrison, especially if he does things like this.
2014 – Ricardo Lopez-Espin – Striker – Shattuck St. Mary’s U18
Creighton also scored a verbal commitment from 2014 forward Ricardo Lopez-Espin who plays for Shattuck St. Mary’s Academy, a Prep soccer Academy where current Bluejays Christian Blandon and Jake Brown played as well as where former Jay Tim Bohnenkamp currently coaches. Lopez-Espin is rated as the #1 player in the midwest for 2014, and at 6’2”, 185 is a force to be reckon with. Like Perez, Lopez-Espin has been playing against older competition for three years as a member of Shattuck St. Mary’s U18 squad. Unfortunately I have been unable to confirm this commitment with the coaching staff as they are a little busy down in Alabama trying to win a National Title.