Men's Soccer Battles Villanova on Saturday

Omaha, Neb. -- An experienced coach will always tell you that the next game is the biggest one, but with points at a premium as the 2024 season winds down Creighton men's soccer coach Johnny Torres knows the battle with Villanova is critical on Saturday. Creighton enters play on October 19 in a three-way tie for the eighth and final spot in the BIG EAST Tournament.

Villanova at Creighton
Saturday, October 19 @ 3:00 pm
Series History: Creighton leads 7-3-0

Live Stream - FloFC: https://www.flofc.com/live/127820
Live Stats: http://stats.statbroadcast.com/broadcast/?id=535113

English Radio: https://player.listenlive.co/52381
Spanish Radio: https://player.listenlive.co/49031/es

Series History: Creighton Leads Villanova, 7-3-0
The Bluejays own a series edge on the Wildcats, taking seven of 10 matches. Creighton holds a 4-2 advantage on Villanova in matches at Morrison Stadium. The Bluejays have won five of the last six meetings, yet the one Wildcat victory came in the 2021 BIG EAST Tournament in a contest played in Omaha.

Date    Opponent    Score
Oct. 19, 2013    * Villanova    L, 0-1 (OT)
Sept. 27, 2014    * at Villanova    W, 1-0
Oct. 24, 2015    * Villanova    W, 5-1
Oct. 22, 2016    * at Villanova    L, 0-1
Sept. 24, 2017    * Villanova    W, 2-0
Sept. 22, 2018    * at Villanova    W, 1-0
Sept. 28, 2019    * Villanova    W, 1-0
Oct. 13, 2021    * at Villanova    W, 4-2
Nov. 6, 2021    ** Villanova    L, 1-2
Oct. 1, 2022    * Villanova    W, 3-1
* = BIG EAST Match    ** = BIG EAST Tournament Match

Follow the Match
Online streaming for the contest will be available on FloFC, while live stats will be featured through StatBroadcast. Links to video and live stats will be provided on the Creighton Men's Soccer schedule page.

A subscription is required to view the event on FloSports. More information can be found at GoCreighton.com/FloSports.

Additionally, the match will be broadcast in English on 1180 AM and in Spanish on La Nueva which can be found online or on 99.5 FM and 1020 AM in the Omaha area.

Jon Schriner and Rob Simms have the call on FloFC and on 1180 AM, while Jose Raul Atencio and Juan Manuel Martinez have the broadcast on La Nueva 1020 AM or 99.5 FM.

Scouting Creighton (6-4-3, 1-2-1 BIG EAST)
The Bluejays enter Saturday afternoon's match in search of their third consecutive win, following a key victory at Xavier (1-0) on Oct. 12.

After a 2-1 win at Omaha last week, Creighton struck for its first win in BIG EAST action at at Xavier. After a scoreless spell, the Bluejays have had more success finding the back of the net with three goals in a two-match stretch.

Directing the Bluejays offense is senior Jackson Castro. Castro has been efficient over the course of the season, earning four goals while distributing four assists. Supporting the Bluejays offensive attack are freshman Gavrilo Civric and sophomore Ali Ramadan. Civric collected three goals and two assists this season while Ramadan chipped in three goals with one assist.

Between the posts is experienced senior Blake Gillingham. The Bluejay netminder has started all 13 contests, recording 1,170 minutes on the season. Gillingham has been busy in the net, snagging 34 saves this season to earn a .680 save percentage.

Scouting Villanova (1-7-4, 0-4-0 BIG EAST)
Villanova will travel to Morrison Stadium with a 1-7-4 overall record and a 0-4-0 mark in BIG EAST action. The Wildcats enter the match hungry for their first league win, also in search of their first road win of the season.

The Wildcats have been outscored by opponents 10-5 over the last four matches, winning only one contest over the stretch. Villanova achieved their lone victory recently in a home match against Columbia University on Oct. 8. Following the victory against Columbia, the Wildcats dropped a tight road battle with BIG EAST opponent, Akron (3-2).

Saturday's afternoon contest with Creighton marks the final match of a two-game road stretch before moving on to a three game homestand.

The Villanova frontline is led by the foot of graduate midfielder, Jorge Garcia. Garcia has five goals as well as dishing out two assists. The graduate has yet to record a brace this season (two goals in a match), evenly distributing his scores to five different contests.
Following Garcia is senior Jordan Canica and graduate Jason Bouregy. Canica has recorded three goals and three assists, while Bourgey has notched two goals with an incredible six assists on the year.

Anchoring the net for the Wildcats is the goalkeeping duo of junior Sebastion Cutler DeJesus and freshman Alex Yagudayev. DeJesus commanded the majority of time between the posts, recording six starts with 585 minutes and 28 saves, while Yagudayev also posted six starts with 495 minutes and 35 saves.

Bluejays Time to Strike is Nye
With two of the next three matches coming against teams without a win in BIG EAST play, Villanova and Butler are both 0-4-0, the Bluejays have an opportunity to move into secure footing for a run during the BIG EAST Tournament. Were the season to end today Creighton would be in a three-way tie with Xavier and DePaul for the eighth and final spot in the tournament. The Bluejays lose the head-to-head tiebreaker to the Blue Demons so will need to grab points whenever possible. Home matches against Villanova and Butler present perfect opportunities.z

Warming Tree
At times a small fact brings to light how small the soccer world is. The head coaches for Creighton and Villanova offer one such opportunity as Johnny Torres and Villanova's Mark Fetrow each played collegiately and coaches under Bob Warming.

Warming was the Creighton head coach from 1990-94 and again from 2001-09. Torres played for Warming in 1994 and began his coaching career under his guidance in 2007.

Later Warming led Penn State from 2010-17. Petrow played two seasons under Warming and began his coaching career there as a GA.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Jackson Castro

Gavrilo Civric

Blake Gillingham

Ali Ramadan