Creighton Men’s soccer team kicked off its first road trip with a victory over Santa Clara. The Jays looked especially sharp in the offensive end, after a lackluster performance against Rutgers last Sunday despite netting three goals. Sunday’s match with Rutgers marked the official Christian Blandon coming out party.
Friday’s match versus Santa Clara marked the first true road match for Coach Bolowich since his Jays traveled to Edwardsville, Illinois on October 22, getting a 1-0 victory over SIU-Edwardsville. Only Jose Gomez, Andrew Ribeiro, and Eric Miller remain from that starting lineup. Gomez, Ribeiro, and Miller were joined by Alex Bolowich, Vincent Keller, Jake Brown, Jose Ribas, Sean Kim, Timo Pitter, Zach Barnes and Brendan Hines-Ike who is made his first ever start for the Bluejays. Hines-Ike played exceptionally well paired with Brown in the center of the defense providing, both timely challenges and poise on the ball. The true freshman Hines-Ike is more than familiar with California as he captained the talented Chivas USA U18 squad over the 2011-2012 season.
The Jays started off the game well passing the ball throughout the midfield via Ribas and Gomez, with wide players, Kim and Pitter providing the width opening up lanes for other attacking options. The Jays failed to convert on multiple opportunities to put the ball in the net. Sean Kim had the best chance to score in the first half after a teasing ball from Gomez, saw Kim go around the keeper only to have his shot block by a defender. The Jays also could have been awarded a penalty kick following a Santa Clara defender visibly knocking over Jake Brown during a corner kick. Brown elevated for the ball as the Bronco defender, who wasn’t even looking at the ball, ran right into Brown.
Christian Blandon scored for the Bluejays (WBR)
Bolowich did have to make a couple important saves, none more important than a Bronco breakaway that was squandered by three Santa Clara attackers without a Bluejay defender in sight.
The second half started off much as the first hand ended with the Jays coming close with each shot. Timo Pitter hit the cross bar, Gomez, Ribeiro, and Barnes had good efforts either blocked or saved by Bronco goalie Larry Jackson. After each chance Jays fans were reminded of previous years of anemic Bluejay offense.
Enter Christian Blandon.
The speedy forward pestered a fatigued Bronco back-line, creating chaos that lead to an errant pass intercepted by Brent Kallman who feed Keller whose cross found the feet of Christian Blandon. Blandon curled his shot around the outstretched arms of Jackson.
Everything seems to be coming up Blandon this week.
Santa Clara came into the game ranked as #36 in the topdrawersoccer top 48. The Jays will face #40 St. Mary’s in the same poll, this Sunday at 5:00pm central.