Creighton University
11-1-2, 4-0-1
Xavier
9-3-2, 3-0-2
No. 6 Men's Soccer and Xavier Battle to 1-1 Draw
10/18/2014 9:51:00 PM | Men's Soccer
CINCINNATI – The No. 6 Creighton men's soccer team held on to first place in the BIG EAST after it battled Xavier to a 1-1 draw at the Musketeers' XU Soccer Complex Saturday night.
After a scoreless first half, Xavier took the lead in the 57th minute to force Creighton to trail in regulation for the first time this season. The Bluejays responded in the 82nd minute with a goal off of a free kick by sophomore Fabian Herbers to knot the score at 1-1. Two overtime sessions could not settle the match as it ended in a draw.
With the tie Creighton remained in sole possession of first place in the BIG EAST at 4-0-1 and moved to 11-1-2 overall. Xavier is now 3-0-2 in conference play and 9-3-2 on the year.
Creighton created good offensive chances near the midway point of the first half beginning with a corner kick but could not convert. The Bluejays led XU 5-3 in shots but were also booked on three separate yellow cards in the first 45. As a result, CU extended its first half shutout streak to all 14 matches of 2014.
Xavier got on the scoreboard first after a goal by Matt Vasquenza in the 57th minute to take a 1-0 lead. It marked the first time that Creighton trailed in regulation all season.
Herbers tied the game at 1-1 after converting a free kick from just outside the top of the box. The goal was the eighth of the season for Herbers and second straight off of a free kick after he converted the game winner at St. John's on Wednesday night.
The Bluejays outshot the Musketeers 12-3 in second half including three shots on goal for CU and none for XU.
The first overtime did not yield a shot for either side as the teams entered a second overtime session.
Xavier posted its first shot on goal after the half early in the second overtime and continued to attack as Vasquenza fired three shots toward the CU goal in the final session. His final attempt went just wide of the goal in the 109th minute as CU held on for the 1-1 result.
Junior Connor Sparrow played all 110 minutes in net for Creighton and moved to 11-1-2 on the year with three saves against XU.
The Bluejays return to Omaha to entertain No. 3 Georgetown next Saturday at 7 p.m. CT in Morrison Stadium.
Team Stats
VASQUENZA, Matt (5)
Assisted By: ANDRIOT, Walker
Andriot long volley to Vasquenza, one on
56:40
HERBERS, Fabian (1)
Goal off free kick
81:23
