Creighton University
16-3-2
Xavier
15-6-2
Men's Soccer Reaches Elite 8 with 2-1 Win over Xavier
11/30/2014 2:12:00 PM | Men's Soccer
With the win Creighton (16-3-2) advances to the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament for the third time in four seasons under head coach Elmar Bolowich and the tenth time since 2000. CU is now 13-2-0 all-time in NCAA Tournament games at Morrison Stadium. Creighton improved to 12-2-0 at home in 2014.
Xavier finished its season at 15-6-2 following the setback.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Creighton got on the board with 2:29 left in the first half as BIG EAST Midfielder of the Year Timo Pitter fed BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year Herbers for the game's first goal. It marked Herbers' 10th goal of the season.
The play started after a defensive stand by the Bluejays. The back line cleared the ball to senior Sean Kim, who headed it to Pitter. The junior ran free in the midfield as the defense collapsed on him, and fed Herbers near the top right of the box. The sophomore forward then buried one into the back of the net, beating Xavier goalkeeper Eric Osswald.
The Bluejays held their 20th opponent scoreless before the break this year, heading into halftime with a 1-0 advantage.
Creighton made it 2-0 with 28:30 to play as Castellanos connected on his second goal of the season. Pitter connected on a give-and-go near midfield and crossed a ball to the top of the box to freshman Lucas Stauffer. Stauffer's shot was blocked, but it deflected to Castellanos. He quickly collected the rebound and drove one past Osswald for the score.
The Musketeers cut the deficit in half with 20:28 to play when Cory Brown curled in a long free kick from nearly 40 yards out on the right sideline. It carried over the head of Bluejay keeper Connor Sparrow for Brown's third goal of the season.
Sparrow played all 90 minutes in net while making three saves for Creighton and improved to 16-3-2 on the year.
POST-MATCH PRESS CONFERENCE (comments begin at 1:30):
With the win, Creighton will host a quarterfinal round match next Friday at 7 p.m. CT. The Jays face the winner of tonight's contest between No. 13 seed Louisville and UMBC for the right to advance to their third College Cup in four seasons.
Team Stats
HERBERS, Fabian (10)
Assisted By: PITTER, Timo , KIM, Sean
from right side from 5 yards out
42:31
CASTELLANOS,Fernando (2)
Assisted By: STAUFFER, Lucas
off deflection from top of box
61:30
BROWN, Cory (3)
off free kick from 40 yards out
69:32
