Creighton men's soccer streak comes to an end

OMAHA, Neb. – The 2009 Creighton men’s soccer season has come to an end, as for the first time since 1991 the Bluejays will not be participating in the NCAA Tournament.  Creighton’s streak of 17 straight NCAA Tournament appearances was the fourth longest active streak in the nation.

The Bluejays posted a 7-4-5 record this season, losing just two of their final 11 matches this fall.  Creighton was 4-2-4 in the Missouri Valley Conference, finishing behind NCAA Tournament qualifiers Missouri State (12-4-2, 7-1-1 MVC) and Drake (13-6-2, 6-3-1 MVC) in the league standings.

The NCAA tournament field announcement brought to the close the career of seven Bluejays.  Akin Akinrinade, Byron Dacy, Thomas Gjoesund, Chris Schuler, Trent Senske, Seth Sinovic and Jeff Thayer conclude their careers.

The Bluejays will bring back plenty of talent in 2010, including leading scorer Ethan Finlay, who topped the team with eight goals – five game-winners – and 19 points while earning first-team all-MVC this season.  Goalkeeper Brian Holt will return after two seasons in net which have seen him produce 21 shutouts in 35 career starts.  MVC Freshman of the Year Dion Acoff will also see his role expand in the offense next season.