Creighton University
Oral Roberts
Bluejays Fly By Golden Eagles, Post 2-0 Shut Out
9/15/2002 3:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 15, 2002
OMAHA, Neb. - For the first time since 1998, the Creighton men's soccer team has claimed the Ameritas Classic tournament championship. The Bluejays have hosted the annual event since 1990, and with a 2-0 win over Oral Roberts on Sunday afternoon at Tranquility Park, clinched their eighth tournament title.
Senior Mike Tranchilla provided both goals for the victorious Bluejays Sunday. The go-ahead goal came in the 52nd minute when the preseason All-American put the ball in the back of the net after deflecting off of an Oral Roberts defender. Julian Nash and Matt Jewett assisted on the first CU goal of the day.
The Bluejays (4-1-1) controlled the flow of the game throughout play, unloading 17 shots against the previously undefeated Golden Eagles. The ORU goalkeeper, Hector Zapata, made three saves and knocked several more crossing passes away to help keep his team in the game.
Tranchilla added his second goal of the game with just 11 seconds remaining in the game for the ninth multiple-goal game of his career, with an assist from Joe Wieland. The goals move him into sole possession of fourth place on the CU career points scored list, giving him 108 career points. The points break a tie with former teammate and current MLS star, Brian Mullan. The all-MVC forward was named to the all-tournament team for his five-point weekend.
Senior goalkeeper Mike Gabb continues to excel in his return to net for the Jays after a medical redshirt season last year. Gabb stopped two shots on goal Sunday and was tabbed the tournament MVP for his play in two Bluejay shutouts in the tournament. Senior defender Skylar Nelson and Jewett were also to the named all-tournament team.
The Jays handed fellow Midwest region for Oral Roberts its first loss of the seasons, dropping them to 5-1-0. CU's pressure proved too much for the Golden Eagles as the Jays outplayed ORU in every facet of the game Sunday.
Creighton, ranked 19th by Soccer America, heads to the Northwest for its next pair of games. The Jays will battle No. 10 Washington in Seattle on Thursday night before heading to Portland for a battle with the always strong Pilots on Saturday.
