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Late goal propels Creighton to College Cup, joining Indiana, Maryland and Georgetown

By IVES GALARCEP

Freshman midfielder Christian Blandon scored an 89th-minute winner to propel Creighton to a 1-0 victory against UConn in the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals on Sunday.

Blue Jays senior Jose Gomez set up the winner with a cross from the right flank that Blandon deposited past UConn goalkeeper Andre Blake to book Creighton’s second straight trip to the College Cup semifinals.

Creighton joins Indiana, Georgetown and Maryland in the national semifinals after the Hoyas and Terrapins both posted victories on Saturday and the Hoosiers knocked off defending champion North Carolina on Friday.

Maryland cruised to a 3-1 victory against Louisville on Saturday, with London Woodberry, Jake Pace and Patrick Mullins delivering the goals for the No. 2 seed Terps.

Georgetown booked the school’s first College Cup appearance after beating San Diego, 3-1, on Saturday. The Hoyas shook off a second-half 1-0 deficit with three unanswered goals. The rally, sparked by a San Diego own-goal, concluded with goals from freshman Melvin Snoh and senior Andy Reimer.

Indiana secured the first place in the Final Four on Friday by eliminating North Carolina. Sophomore Eriq Zavaleta scored the game-winning goal in a 1-0 victory for the second straight round to send the Hoosiers to Friday’s College Cup semifinals.

Indiana will face Creighton on Friday in one semifinal, with Georgetown and Maryland clashing in the other semifinal. Both semifinals and Sunday’s College Cup Final are being played in Hoover, Alabama.

What did you think of the NCAA quarterfinal results? Which team impressed you the most? Who do you see winning it all?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. On one side, you have to like Creighton’s odds given back to back victories over no. 1 ranked Akron which had lost at home once in two years and UCONN which hadn’t lost at home since 2009. On the other, Maryland probably wins 2-1.

    Reply
    • The Hoosiers beat the #1 seeded Irish and then beat a UNC team that had only allowed 1 goal at home all season (6 total) and had a 40 game home unbeaten streak.

      I think the Hoosiers and Bluejays match up so well.

      On the other hand, I believe this is Maryland’s Cup to lose. Have been the best squad all year and have done nothing to disprove that in the Tourney.

      Reply
  2. Saw both the Saturday games… Maryland was aggressive and composed, while Georgetown looked a bit disorganized for much of the match until they trailed. I’d expect to see Maryland in the championship match next Sunday. On the other side of the bracket, GO HOOSIERS.

    Reply

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