This is the third installment of White & Blue Review’s preview for the 2009 Creighton men’s soccer team. Join us every day this week as we take a look at a different part of Bob Warming’s club, leading up to his team’s first regular season game against Loyola University Chicago on Tuesday, September 1.
Creighton's Seth Sinovic
Midfielders
Bob Warming’s Bluejays utilize a 4-4-2 design on the pitch. So while some of the players mentioned below may play more offensive or defensive roles during the 2009 season, each is listed as a midfielder for roster purposes.
This season’s Creighton soccer midfield will be led by 2008 first team All-MVC and second team All-Midwest Region performer Seth Sinovic. In addition to being named to the preseason Hermann Trophy Watch List, Sinovic earns regional and national recognition for his academic efforts. Bob Warming told White & Blue Review that Seth has shown amazing growth in his game, and with a fifth year of eligibility restored by the NCAA he brings to the 2009 team an incredible amount of knowledge about the college game.
Only one other senior accompanies Sinovic in the midfield. Trent Senske begins his fourth year in the program, and the Bluejays are glad to have him back. Creighton has won all 13 matches Senske’s appeared in as a Bluejay, including all five matches he saw time in last season.
The junior class of midfielders brings depth and quality to the position.
Sergio Castillo was an All-MVC Freshman performer his first year on campus and earned second team All-MVC recognition in 2008 – this despite missing the first three matches of the season with a shoulder injury.
Andrew Duran looks to rebound from a bittersweet sophomore season. After starting five matches as a freshman the previous year, Duran started the first seven last season before blowing out a knee. He’ll more than likely be an important player in this season’s defensive plans.
After suffering from mononucleosis his freshman year and more medical issues during his sophomore campaign, Tucker Sindlinger will look to get back in the mix as a junior. After posting 5 assists as a freshman and 3 as a sophomore in limited time, Sindlinger will look to capitalize on strong showings in last week’s exhibition matches.
Also playing well in early in the exhibitions were sophomores Ethan Finlay and Greg Jordan.
Finlay scored two goals against the Kansas City Wizards in Creighton’s second exhibition match and started that game and against the Red Fury Latin All-Stars last weekend. Last season Finlay earned MVC All-Freshmen honors and played his way onto the MVC All-Tournament team.
Jordan also earned All-Freshman honors last season, a year that saw him lead all CU rookies in minutes played (1,533). He played a complete match 11 times.
Fellow sophomore Kris Clark played in every 2008 match while starting seven. He notched a game-winner against Eastern Illinois on the road.
In addition to this experienced and talented set of midfielders, some freshmen are looking to crack the lineup. Tyler Currence comes to Creighton from Montana by way of the IMG Academy in Florida. Yoshimatts Rivera beat him here, though; Rivera enrolled at CU last January and trained with the Jays in the spring.
But if you haven’t heard of those freshmen yet, it might be due to the spotlight already being cast on frosh Dion Acoff. Widely regarded as one of the top incoming freshmen in collegiate soccer, Acoff spent time this summer playing with the United States U-18 Men’s National Team. He ran a 2.61 second 20-meter spring at the 2008 U.S. Soccer Development Academy Showcase, the fastest time recorded. And he was a PARADE High School All-American.
Tomorrow we’ll pay some attention to what returns from Creighton’s record setting 2008 defense. Stay tuned!.