OMAHA, Neb. – Eastern Illinois men's soccer played 13th-ranked Creighton tough in its final visit to Morrison Stadium for Missouri Valley Conference action, but the Bluejays finally broke through with a goal in 81st minute and went on to win, 1-0, Friday evening.

While the 1-0 loss was fourth of the season, it was EIU's top defensive showing against CU in Omaha as an MVC member. The Bluejays (7-1, 1-0 MVC) had managed to score at least two goals in each of the previous meetings between the two teams in Omaha.

Creighton's Jose Gomez scored his third goal of the season in the 81st minute, teaming up with Ethan Finlay on a give-and-go opportunity. Finlay had returned to the game less than a minute earlier before helping setup the scoring chance for his teammate.

 

Earlier in the game, Finlay had hit the post in the 27th minute and the crossbar in the 71st minute.

 

The Panthers (3-5, 0-1 MVC) most active stretch was early in the second half. Alex Koch and Trevor Kohlrus forced CU goalkeeper Brian Holt to make back-to-back saves and Ryan Child missed wide left to cap the action.

 

“We had a good chance early in the second half after their goalkeeper dropped the ball twice,” EIU head coach Adam Howarth said. “It was frustrating that we were unable to capitalize on that opportunity, but I'm really proud of how the guys played defensively. They worked extremely hard tonight and performed well. The most telling stat is shots on goal, and that was only 6-4. Creighton is going to be one of the top teams in the Valley and we played them tough in front of their home crowd tonight.”

 

Creighton has posted six of its seven victories in shutout fashion and has yet to allow a goal in its four home games this season.

Eastern goalkeeper Sean Molony finished with five saves and also helped EIU defend 10 corner kicks. The Panthers were limited to one corner opportunity, but it did come in the 83rd minute, giving EIU a chance to potentially tie the game shortly after CU had gone ahead.

 

Alex Harrison, Graham Lynch, Jerry Maddi, Mike Picinich, Zach Piekarski, Koch and Kohlrus went the distance among the EIU field players.

 

The game was the MVC opener for both teams and only the second conference game play around the conference so far this season. Eastern remained winless in MVC openers since 2002.

 

The Panthers return to action Sunday for a 1 p.m. nonconference game at UMKC, their fourth and final game of the year against a Summit League opponent. Eastern joins The Summit League next fall.