OMAHA, Neb. ? Bradley junior forward Zach Bell scored a pair of goals, but it was not enough to prevent #23 Creighton (7-2-3, 3-0-0) from earning a 3-2 Missouri Valley Conference men's soccer victory versus the visiting Braves (8-4-1, 1-1-1) Saturday night at Morrison Stadium.
The Bluejays used quick strikes to start each half as the Braves dropped to 0-8-0 all-time on the road versus Creighton. In a battle of two of the top three teams in the early league standings, Creighton also took control of the Valley regular-season race by remaining the only unbeaten team in conference play.
Brian Biggerstaff's tally was the fastest score to start a match by the Jays this season, when he found the back of the net at the 1:24 mark. The goal was set up following a punt by Bradley keeper Chris Dunsheath that was headed back into the Bluejay offensive end by a Creighton back. Tim Bohnenkamp carried the ball down the left flank, then sent a crossing pass into the box where freshman Byron Dacy back-healed the ball to Biggerstaff.
Bradley answered in the 13th minute when Zach Bell took a pass from Teddy Anderson in the box. CU keeper Matt Allen had made an attempt for the ball, but collided with a Bluejay back, leaving Bell all alone for a tap-in from 10 yards out. Steve Chromik was also credited with an assist on the score.
The game was evenly played in the first half, as the teams went to the locker rooms tied 1-1 and even with five shots each.
CU came out and took the lead on a well designed play in the 50th minute. Michael Kraus took a through ball from Jarod Tarver and beat Dunsheath with a one-timer. The goal, which was also set up by Matt Wieland, was Kraus' fourth of the year.
Joan Carvajal padded CU's lead in the 66th minute when Kraus set him up for a score. The sophomore sent a blast which deflected off the BU keeper for his first tally of the year. The game-winner was similar to the game's first goal, as Kraus received the ball after the Bluejays played a Dunsheath goal kick back into the offensive end.
The goal proved necessary as Bell struck again in the 89th minute to draw the Braves within a goal. With Bradley applying constant pressure, reserve defender Todd Reedy dumped the ball from midfield toward the top of the penalty area, where Kevin Erickson flicked it through to the left side for Bell. But BU's late offense surge was not enough, despite out-shooting the Jays 6-0 over the final 25 minutes of the match for a final 13-12 shots advantage.
Bradley will hit the road for another Missouri Valley Conference game Wednesday afternoon at Eastern Illinois before hosting Evansville Saturday night at Shea Stadium as the marquee event during Parents Weekend.
