Creighton wins, 1-1!  The Bluejays played an extremely competitive game against the Akron Zips in front of over three thousand at Morrison Stadium last Friday night.  Akron came in with a team full of attacking talent and one of the most dangerous teams in the country.  Creighton is a team still trying to figure itself out in this new season.  Akron posed a test unlike any that Creighton had seen so far in 2012. 

Akron dominated the first 15 minutes creating numerous chances, including a chip from outside the box that hit the crossbar before bouncing over the goal.  Creighton settled down around 20 minutes and began to hold possession and create chances.  The big break came in the 24^th minute when Junior transfer Sean Kim opened scoring off a deflected Jose “Choco” Gomez shot in the box.  The play came on the left side of the field where Creighton had been attacking.  Most of the Bluejay forward movement stared with outside back, freshman, Vincent Keller.

Both teams regrouped at half time with the score 1-0, Creighton.

The second half was as equally competitive as the first with both teams having scoring opportunities.  Akron had the better of the possession and looked like a team pushing to equalize.  Their possession and pressure paid off in the 57^th minute when Alfred Koroma scored off a cross from DeAndre Yeldin coming from the right side.  Creighton settled down and both teams had sustained possession but Akron still held an edge.  At the end of regulation the score was tied at one each. 

Akron had all of the legs in both overtimes, completely bossing the game.  Controversy crept into the storyline when in the 97^th, Akron’s Aodhan Quinn took a beautiful through ball and beat Creighton goalkeeper, Alex Bolowich, for the game winner.  Akron celebrated while the side judge held his flag up in the air to signal offside.  The goal was waved off and the game finished after regulation and two 10-minute overtimes at a 1-1 draw.  Akron’s head coach, Caleb Porter was quoted as addressing the offside, “We’ve already talked to people who saw it on TV, and he was two yards onside.  We’re not going to dwell on it.  Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, and sometimes you tie.”  Creighton was certainly the winner as they got the 1-1 result by an unfortunate missed call by the officials.  For a young team, holding Akron to one goal and getting a tie will prove an excellent experience for the rest of the season.

Creighton supporters should be encouraged with the fact their team went out and played straight up against a very talented Akron team and at times controlled the game.  Creighton was only out shot 15-12 and both teams had opportunities to win the game.