Men's Soccer Continues Late Push in Final Home Match Against Connecticut

Omaha, Neb. -- With two matches remaining in the regular season, the Creighton Men's Soccer team is out to secure its spot in the BIG EAST Tournament against Connecticut on Saturday, October 21. Prior to the match the Bluejays will honor seniors Mark O'Neill, Alfie Pope, Giorgio Probo, Nathan Schnur, Landon Sloan and Luke Waters.

Connecticut vs. Creighton
Saturday, October 21 @ 2:30 pm

Stats: https://creighton.statbroadcast.com

Online Stream - FloFC: https://www.flofc.com/live/67344

English Radio - 1180 AM: https://player.listenlive.co/52381

Spanish Radio - 1020 AM: https://player.listenlive.co/49031/es

Series History: Creighton leads Connecticut, 2-1-2
The Bluejays and Huskies have met five times previously, including a historic matchup in the NCAA Championship match in 2000. Saturday will mark the third meeting in Omaha. Last season's contest was more than a little unique as lightning forced the match to be halted on Sept. 17 with the Bluejays leading 1-0. The match was resumed the following day, allowing the Huskies to earn the 1-1 draw. The first three battles came in the NCAA Tournament, while last season the was the first meeting as BIG EAST foes.

Date   Opponent   Score
Dec. 10, 2000   $ vs. Connecticut (at Charlotte, N.C.)   L, 0-2
Nov. 29, 2008   # vs. Connecticut   W, 2-1 (OT)
Dec. 2, 2012   # at Connecticut   W, 1-0
Oct. 16, 2021   at Connecticut   T, 2-2 (2OT)
Sept. 17, 2022   vs. Connecticut   T, 1-1

$ = NCAA College Cup
# = NCAA Tournament

How to Follow the Match
Creighton's match with Akron can be watched online (FloSports) or followed on live stats through StatBroadcast. A subscription is required to view the event on FloSports More information can be found at GoCreighton.com/FloSports. Updates will be provided during the match on Twitter (@CreightonMSOC).

You can also watch the match locally on YurView via Cox Cable or listen to the match on 1180 AM (English) or 1020 AM (Spanish).

Scouting Connecticut (7-6-1, 3-3-0 BIG EAST)
Connecticut comes to Omaha with a little desperation as the Huskies are 1-3-1 in their last five matches. With nine points the Huskies enter the match on Saturday in a tie for sixth place, yet just three points ahead of ninth place Butler.

Eleven different players have scored at least one goal for Connecticut this season, led by six goals from Scott Testori. He also leads the Huskies with 15 points, adding in three assists. A trigger for the Huskies' offense has been Nicolas Tomerius, with a team-high six assists.

The Huskies have used three different goalkeepers this season, but Jayden Hibbert has seen the lion's share of the minutes at 975:28. Hibbert has allowed 17 goals in 11 matches for a 1.57 GAA and has made 32 saves. However Clayton Knibbs was in goal for Connecticut's 3-1 loss to Providence the last time out. Knibbs has allowed five goals in four matches, earning a 1.63 GAA.

Scouting Creighton (4-5-5, 3-2-1 BIG EAST)
With a recent history of late season surges, the Bluejays got rolling on Wednesday night with a 3-2 win over No. 7 Akron at home. Racing out to a 3-0 lead, the Bluejays held on as the Zips scored a pair of goals in the final minute.

Alfie Pope returned to the top of the goals and point columns for Creighton with a pair of goals in the win over No. 7 Akron on Oct. 18. remains atop the Bluejay scoring column with three goals and four assists, giving him ten points.

Sophomore Blake Gillingham has been in goal for the last eight matches, allowing 11 goals (1.38 GAA). Gillingham is 3-2-3 with 36 saves and one shutout.

Creighton and Connecticut Fans Bring the Fire
Both Creighton and Connecticut have dedicated fan bases, whether the sport is basketball, baseball or soccer. As expected the two support systems have developed a budding rivalry, but looking into the statistics for attendance gives a glimpse into the level of dedication brought. Creighton enters the match on Saturday second in the NCAA to South Carolina with average attendance at 2,931 fans per match. Connecticut, meanwhile, is second to the Gamecocks in overall attendance, bringing 23,766 through the gates.

Clear Skies Ahead
After playing through more than a 23-hour delay brought about by lightning, hail and rain last season in Omaha, it makes sense for the Bluejays and Huskies to be checking the weather prior to Saturday's meeting. The forecast for Saturday is 70, breezy in the morning; otherwise, plenty of sunshine.

Last season Creighton and Connecticut began play on Saturday, September 17 at 6:34 p.m. (CT). In the eighth minute of play (7:16) the Bluejays claimed a 1-0 lead. Moments later the skies opened up with a downfall of rain, but the two teams played on until lightning within the area halted play with just under 13 minutes into the match (12:59). A required 30-minute delay was reset with each strike within the 8-mile radius. After waiting nearly three hours the two teams agreed to suspend play and restart on Sunday at 6:34 p.m. When play resumed the Huskies found the equalizer in the 21st minute.

What is at Stake in the Final Two Matches
With two matches remaining for each BIG EAST squad, he is a simplified look at the standings. Entering Saturday Georgetown would be the top seed, while Xavier sits as at No. 2 as the Midwest Division leader. Eight teams will reach the BIG EAST Tournament, with the top four teams hosting first round matches.

Team       Points   Remaining BIG EAST Schedule
Georgetown   15   St. Johns, at Marquette
Xavier       11   at Villanova, at Connecticut
Providence   11   at Butler, at Seton Hall
St. John's       11   at Georgetown, Creighton
Creighton   10   Connecticut, at St. John's
Akron       9   Marquette, at Butler
Connecticut   9   at Creighton, Xavier
Seton Hall   7   at DePaul, Providence
Butler       6   Providence, Akron
Marquette   4   at Akron, Georgetown
Villanova       4   Xavier, at DePaul
DePaul       2   Seton Hall, Villanova

Men's Soccer Continues Late Push in Final Home Match Against Connecticut

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Players Mentioned

Blake Gillingham

Mark O'Neill

Alfie Pope

Giorgio Probo

Nathan Schnur

Landon Sloan

Luke Waters