Creighton Bluejays
Overall Rank: #27
#3 Big East
Creighton Team Page
For Creighton, a 9-9-2 record is a massive disappointment. This is a team that made it to the College Cup in 2011 and 2012. Even more disappointing than the overall record is the fact that Creighton lost in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at home to Seattle. Coach Elmar Bolowich certainly knows how to win games, but the key to this group is to gain the consistency that they completely lacked in 2013.
2013 Record: 9-9-2, 4-4-1
2013 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Elmar Bolowich
Returning Leaders:
Goals: Timo Pitter, Junior, M, 7
Assists: Jose Ribas, Senior, M, 6
Shots: Timo Pitter, Junior, M, 56
Saves: Alex Bolowich, Senior, GK, 61
Other Key Returnees: M/D Fabian Herbers, M/F Christian Blandon, M/F Ricardo Perez, D/M Vincent Keller, D Brendan Hines-Ike, GK Connor Sparrow
Key Losses: M/D Eric Miller, M/F Bruno Castro, M/F Marvin Iskra, M Zach Barnes
Strengths:
Coach Bolowich does not lack in talent. Timo Pitter has been the Bluejays’ top scorer for the last two seasons and he will try and make it three in a row. The senior midfielder scored seven goals in 2013 and added four assists. Fabian Herbers and Christian Blandon are both back after finishing with three goals. Jose Ribas is a great setup man and dished out six assists. And there is even more talent coming into the program. Most notable is Ricky Lopez-Espin, a 6-2 striker from Miami who is capable of being the team’s top scoring threat up top. Finding a true scoring threat up top to compliment Pitter could quickly change Creighton’s fortunes. Sean Kim missed much of last year, but in just five games he scored two goals and tallied two assists. Back in 2012 he netted four goals. Lopez-Espin is more likely the long term answer, but players like Kim who have more experience can carry the load for a while.
Weaknesses:
The problem for Creighton is consistency and it did not get any better as the season progressed last year. While the offenses lack of finishing was an issue, it was most prominent on the side of the pitch. And that was with Eric Miller. Now he is gone and playing in the professional ranks. The defense will build around Brendan Hines-Ike, Vincent Keller and keeper Alex Bolowich. The team as a whole ranked fifth in the Big East in goals-against average and that is not where Creighton needs to be. For the most part Bolowich had a forgettable season, but he has proven in the past that he can be a very good keeper.
Final Projection:
This group has all the makings of a turnaround season. That may not result in a Big East title, but it will result in another trip to the tournament and an extra game or two once they get there. If they can stay healthy and actually start getting better with time instead of worse, Creighton will be a team nobody wants to see in their part of the bracket.
Projected Postseason: NCAA Tournament
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 1.60 (50th in nation, 3rd in conference)
Goals-Against Average: 1.09 (68, 5)
Shutout Percentage: 0.30 (82, 6)
Save Percentage: 0.775 (82, 7)
Madness 2014 Men’s Soccer Recruit Rankings:
#38 Ricardo Lopez-Espin
See All College Sports Madness Top 44 Men's Soccer Previews
