With only four teams qualifying for this year’s Big East tournament, the stakes of every match are higher than ever in Creighton’s fast-moving campaign. Leading the Midwest Division of the Big East with a 2-1 conference record prior to the matchup, the Creighton men’s soccer team faced a defining test against the Xavier Musketeers, then the team closest behind the Bluejays in the standings.
With two successful strikes in the second half against the visiting Musketeers on Oct. 11, the Bluejays moved to 3-1 in Big East play, remaining atop the Midwest Division with nine points, three points ahead of now-second-place Akron.
Despite the strong finish, the majority of the first half left something to be desired offensively. Neither attack could sustain possession or breach the defensive backline, though an early sequence from a foul in just the second minute produced arguably the closest chance of the opening 45 minutes.
The dangerous chance generated just a foot outside the box began with a foul called against Creighton, leaving the visitors with a near-perfect shot at goal. As Xavier took the strike, redshirt freshman goalkeeper Matthew Hudson located the shot, punching the ball skyward and out of bounds, a crucial play in the opening minutes that prevented Xavier from gripping the reins of the match early.
The rest of the opening 45 was confined mostly to the midfield, where physicality reigned supreme and both teams tried in vain to secure sustained possession and develop an attack. By halftime, Xavier held a 3-1 shot edge and Hudson was credited with two saves in that time.
With the scoreboard still blank at halftime, head coach Johnny Torres turned to one of Creighton’s few setbacks this year for inspiration in his message to the team.
“We were in that same situation at halftime, being 0-0 [like] at UConn,” Torres said. “So that [idea of double movements in the box] was referenced and we had to make sure that we were going to be on the positive end of that story this time. We did talk about making sure that we layered our runs so that we sealed the six and hit every spot.”
The Bluejay team after the half delivered exactly what Torres had called for, turning the tide from UConn with two decisive pushes to seal the victory over Xavier. Fueled by intensity and sustained possession, Creighton struck early in the second half.
“We feel like a goal is coming … [we feel like] if we take a shot, we can score. We just believe in it,” senior defender Ryusei Shimonishi said.
The goal sequence began with freshman midfielder Todd Vromant, who initiated the counterattack by sprinting down the middle. Spotting junior defender Matthew Reed in stride, Vromant fed the ball to the co-captain on the right side of the field.
Reed continued driving toward goal, waiting patiently before delivering a precise cross behind junior midfielder Ali Ramadan. Ramadan had drawn defenders in front of the net, allowing the ball to reach the feet of an onrushing Shimonishi.
“It was well-executed and it’s that much sweeter when you’re able to execute these movements and passes and then [it culminates] for the goal,” Torres said, pointing to the team’s focus on relentless movement and committing to the run, executing not just to receive the ball but to make space for others and keep the attack alive. Shimonishi, Torres said, executed on layered movements and committing to the run to perfection.
Beyond seeing their emphasis on double movements in the attacking third come to fruition, the Bluejays also saw their commitment to the high press rewarded. The pressure up top, a defining element of Creighton’s identity, forced the mistake that led to their second goal.
In the 86th minute, junior midfielder Miguel Arilla surged out of his line to pressure a Xavier defender near the Musketeer goal, intercepting a hurried clearance toward midfield. The ball rolled favorably toward the net, setting up a tense one-on-one between Arilla and Xavier goalkeeper Jonny Mennell as they raced to reach it first.
Arilla arrived first and struck with his left foot, but Mennell managed to get his left hand on the ball, deflecting it nearer to goal. As Arilla raced to recover the shot, Mennell scrambled to get into position to block it, but Arilla made contact first, punching the ball in for the second score of the evening.
The goal did more than secure Creighton’s 2-0 lead late in the match — it underscored the impact of a disciplined, sustained high press. For most of the night, Xavier’s direct play had made pressing difficult, Torres said, as the Musketeers often sent the ball over the top to bypass pressure. But when the Bluejays finally broke through, their persistence paid off.
“It’s hard work to press, it really is, but in the long run you end up running less because your lines are higher up the field and hopefully you’re winning the ball so you’re not having to recover…,” Torres said. “It’s gratifying and it’s a great bonus to be able to cap it off with a goal knowing that we were on the front foot pressing in tonight’s match.”
By the end of the second half, not only did the scoreline highlight the shift between the first and second halves, but the stats reflected Creighton’s increased pressure in the offensive third as well. Going from producing just one shot in the first half, the Bluejays generated a 12-3 edge in shots in the second 45 minutes, winning the possession battle.
Thus, with their third win in Big East play, the Bluejays held firm atop the Midwest Division, keeping pace in the race for a conference tournament spot. The victory improved Creighton’s record to 7-3-2, marking their seventh win in eight matches and seventh shutout of the season. Morrison Stadium continues to be a fortress for the Bluejays, who remain undefeated on their home turf.
Next up, the Bluejays will visit the 4-4-4 Villanova Wildcats, looking to build on Big East conference success and add another crucial tally to the win column. The match is set for Friday, Oct. 17 at 2 p.m.
