Senior defender Brent Kallman’s game-winning header in the 44th minute of Creighton’s match against the University of Evansville extended the Jays’ win streak to eight and earned them the Missouri Valley Conference regular season crown.
Kallman’s goal broke a 1-1 tie late in the first half. The game-winning goal was only Kallman’s second of his career. His first was also a game-winner.
With the conference title the Jays earned a first round bye and an automatic spot in Friday’s semifinal round of the postseason MVC tournament in Peoria, Ill.
This season’s title is the 12th regular season crown in program history.
The No. 12 Bluejays finished the regular season 13-3-2 overall and 5-0-1 in the MVC.
Freshman midfielder Timo Pitter started the scoring Saturday with his eighth goal of the season in the eighth minute. Pitter leads the Jays with 18 points this season (eight goals and two assists).
The Purple Aces found the back of the net to tie the game at one during the 21st minute. The goal snapped a streak of 1,293 minutes of conference play without allowing a goal (since Oct. 12 last season).
Kallman’s goal just before the half proved to be the final tally of Saturday’s contest.
Freshman goalkeeper Jeff Gal improved to 9-0 with the victory.
After their eighth straight victory, head coach Elmar Bolowich said he thinks his squad is in a position to make a run in the postseason.
“I think we are much more together as a group [compared to early in the season],” Bolowich said. “We are fighting harder for one another. The roles have been established so there isn’t a lot of uncertainty.”
Senior midfielder/forward Andrew Ribeiro also said the team is in a great place heading into the tournament.
“I think we’re doing well,” Ribeiro said. “We’re coming off a high and that can be a help.”
Creighton will square off at 3 p.m. Friday against the No. 5 seed Drake University Bulldogs.
Bolowich said his team has been working hard preparing for the postseason.
“If you want to make a long run in the playoffs you just have to be sharp and be consistent and you have to be confident,” Bolowich said.