Sept. 1, 2010

Box Score

CHICAGO- Creighton scored two goals within a seven-minute timespan midway through the second-half, while Loyola couldn't connect in the season home opener, giving the Bluejays a 2-0 victory on Wednesday evening at the Loyola Soccer Park in Chicago, Illinois.

The Ramblers begin the 2010 season 0-1, heading into a pair of games this coming weekend in Irvine, California. The Bluejays start the year 1-0.

In a scoreless first-half that featured little offense from either squad, the referees on the other hand had their hands full, calling a total of 13 fouls in the opening frame.

When the teams returned from halftime, Creighton pushed the tempo early, earning numerous free balls at midfield and taking battled possessions near the Loyola goal.

At the 61st minute, Kris Clark received a ball from the right side of the field in the Rambler box, and fired a 10-yard shot past charging Loyola goalkeeper Peter McKeown, giving Creighton a 1-0 lead.

Seven minutes later, the Bluejays found the scoreboard again, when Jose Gomez received an errant McKeown goal kick, and flipped the ball over the goalkeeper into the back of the net.

Down 2-0, the Ramblers charged the Creighton goal hoping to get back into the contest. However, the Bluejay backline cleared the ball at every opportunity.

Before Loyola had a prime chance to respond, the horn sounded for the end of the contest, with Creighton taking the game, 2-0.

Eric Marofske and Chris Mills were each awarded a shot in the contest, both missed wide on the attempts. McKeown finished with three saves after seeing nine shots head his direction.

The Loyola men's soccer team will now hit the road to Irvine, California, for two matches this weekend, starting with UC Irvine on Saturday evening. Match time is set for 9:30 p.m. CST.