When Matthew Reed committed to Creighton in the fall of 2022, he watched as the Bluejays made a run to the Men’s College Cup, reaching the national semifinals for the first time since 2011.  

By the time Reed arrived on campus, the expectations were clear. But over the next three seasons, Creighton fell short of reaching the NCAA Tournament, leaving Reed and his fellow seniors still searching for their own opportunity. 

On Nov. 6, Reed helped change that. 

The co-captain scored the game-winning goal in the 76th minute to lift No. 10 Creighton to a 2-1 victory over DePaul, securing a share of the Big East Midwest Division regular season championship and clinching the No. 2 seed in the conference tournament. 

“It means the world,” Reed said. “It’s so exciting for the guys that I arrived with … today was just the cherry on top for our senior year.” 

The championship capped a regular season that saw the Bluejays establish themselves among the nation’s top teams. Creighton finished the regular season 12-1-5 overall and 4-1-3 in Big East play, leading the nation in offensive production for much of the season and climbing as high as No. 3 in the national rankings. The Bluejays now sit at No. 8 nationally going into the Big East Tournament. 

“For them to be able to repay themselves for the year that they’ve had in the regular season and come out with a trophy from the Midwest is awesome,” head coach Johnny Torres said. “[I’m] super proud of the guys and their diligence, their grit and the amount of work that they’ve put in for the season.” 

The Bluejays had an opportunity to secure the division title in last season’s regular-season finale but fell short in a 1-0 loss to Akron and missed out of postseason play. This time, Creighton left little doubt about its intentions early, striking in the fifth minute with a goal from freshman Carter Tavares.  

After a failed DePaul clearance, Tavares collected the ball and sent a shot into the upper-right corner for his fifth goal of the season. The early advantage, however, did not last for long. DePaul responded in the 26th minute when Keagan Pace headed in a ball from Noeh Hernandez to even the score at 1-1. 

“I thought we were a little bit naive, but maybe we took our foot off the gas at the time,” Torres said. “I think we were relying on the lead, which obviously was a bad decision against a very good DePaul team, and they made us pay for it.” 

With twenty minutes remaining in the match, the score remained level at 1-1. DePaul came out aggressively after the break, earning four corner kicks in the opening 18 minutes of the second half and continuing to pressure the Creighton defense. The Bluejays also continued to generate chances, forcing five second-half saves from DePaul goalkeeper Chance Johnson. 

With time winding down, both sides were still searching for the go-ahead goal. 

That breakthrough finally came in the 76th minute. 

Freshman Jordan Igwenma connected with Reed on a give-and-go, beating the DePaul backline and creating space for the senior to finish underneath Johnson. The goal, Reed’s 13th in his senior season, put the Bluejays ahead 2-1 with 15 minutes remaining. 

As the ball crossed the line, Reed took off toward the corner, quickly surrounded by teammates who rushed to embrace him. Players piled around the senior, wrapping him in hugs as the weight of the moment began to sink in. For Reed and the rest of the senior class, the goal represented more than a late lead. It put Creighton on the verge of a postseason opportunity that had eluded them throughout their careers.   

“To be honest, I almost teared up,” Reed said. “I’m excited for myself and for the guys. We’re ready to go to the postseason, [something that] maybe in years past we haven’t [been able to do].” 

Over four seasons, Reed has developed from a freshman who appeared in just eight matches into one of the most influential players in the Creighton lineup. Now in his second season as a co-captain, the Felton, Del., native has put together one of the nation’s most productive seasons by a defender, leading the Big East with 13 goals, tied for the fifth-most in the nation.  

“I can’t say enough about Reedy, both as a leader and as a player on our team, one of our captains,” Torres said. “He’s come through when we’ve needed him most, and what a sweet moment for him … to be able to, in his fourth year, score the goal that puts us over the line to get us to Boyds, Maryland, is just special.” 

Reed was named Big East Defensive Player of the Year, becoming the first Creighton player to receive the honor since the Bluejays joined the conference in 2013. The senior also earned a spot on the midseason MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List and the United Soccer Coaches’ Defenders to Watch List. 

Seven Creighton players earned All-Big East honors, with Reed and sophomore Ayden Kokoszka named to the First Team. Junior Angel Lopez, senior Andrija Savic and Igwenma earned Second Team recognition, while junior Brian Edelman and freshman Carter Derksen were named to the Third Team. Goalkeeper Matthew Hudson was named Big East Goalkeeper of the Week following four saves in the victory of DePaul, while Tavares earned his third Big East Freshman of the Week honor. 

The conference recognitions reflected the depth of a Creighton team that spent much of the season among the nation’s top programs. The Bluejays went unbeaten through their first 16 matches, but the results along the way were not always straightforward. Leads slipped into draws, slow starts led to late pushes, but Creighton continued to find ways to get results. Friday night’s match against DePaul was another example, as the Bluejays responded after surrendering their early lead to find a late winner.  

“There’s a lot of responsibility that comes with these national rankings and the season that we’ve had, and at times, we’ve felt the pressure,” Torres said. “Nonetheless, these guys are willing to put in the work, they’re fearless and they believe in themselves. It’s great to be able to see us culminate with a championship tonight.” 

The division title secured Creighton’s place in the postseason, but the Bluejays have their sights set on a larger goal. After sharing the Midwest Division championship with Akron, Creighton entered the BIG EAST Tournament as the No. 2 seed, with another meeting against the Zips awaiting in the quarterfinals.

With an NCAA Tournament appearance all but secured, the BIG EAST Tournament offers Creighton an opportunity to add another conference title and strengthen its position heading into the national tournament. The field of 48 will be announced Monday, Nov. 16, with first-round matches beginning Thursday, Nov. 19.  

“Our intent to go to Boyds, Maryland, is to win a Big East tournament,” Torres said. “We’re not relying on what we’ve done to this point and we’re not relying on NCAA. Our focus right now is winning a Big East Tournament.” 

No. 8 Creighton matches up with No. 4 Akron this afternoon in the BIG EAST Tournament semifinals. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. CT and can be streamed on EPSN+.