photo by Tony Quinn/ISIphotos.com
By FRANCO PANIZO
Heading into its road game against No. 2 Maryland, Creighton was the definition of perfection. The fourth-ranked Bluejays were a perfect 8-0 on the season and had yet to surrender a goal.
Casey Townsend changed all that on Friday night.
Off to a red-hot start this season, Townsend scored his team-leading 11th goal of the year in Maryland's 1-0 victory over Creighton. The win improved the undefeated Terps to 9-0-1 while ending Creighton's flawless start to the season.
Townsend scored 14 minutes into the game when he shot into an empty net after beating goalkeeper Brian Holt following a long pass from Patrick Mullins.
Having been outshot 9-0 in a first half that Maryland dominated, Creighton responded with its first attempt on goal three minutes after halftime.
That was a sign of things to come for Creighton, which began to pile on the pressure in the second half as it scrambled for an equalizer against a well-organized Maryland defense.
But the Bluejays wasted their chances, including on an effort at the top of the penalty area that was shot over the crossbar by Ethan Finlay.
Withstanding wave after wave of attacks for much of the second half, Maryland also missed a golden chance to score when Mullins wasted a 1-on-1 look against Holt.
That missed opportunity would not come back to haunt the Terps, which benefited from particularly strong performances by Townsend and Widner Saint Cyr.
Saint Cyr, who began the match in defense, was a big part of Maryland's offense in the first half, threatening Creighton's back line with nifty dribbling runs.
It was Mullins, however, who helped set up the game's lone goal. Mullins sent in a lofted pass to Townsend, and the forward headed the ball over an oncoming Holt before keeping good concentration to shoot into the empty net.
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What do you think of Maryland beating Creighton? Surprised? How many goals do you see Townsend scoring this year?
Share your thoughts below.
No surprise!!! Maryland will always remain one of the top programs in college soccer. Go Terps!
Casey Townsend, the pride of Traverse City, Michigan. Josh Gatt and Sean Cunningham, from Detroit. Soony Saad (Dearborn) and Justin Meram, U. of Michigan.
Alexi Lalas (Birmingham), the original State of Michigan baller.
Let the Michigan soccer pipeline flow!