The 8th-ranked Creighton Bluejays handed host University of San Diego, the No. 4 seed in the 2000 NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Championships, a 3-0 setback this evening at Torero Stadium to advance to next weekend's third round. With the victory Creighton improves to 20-3 and will next play the winner of tomorrow's St. John's-Virginia match. San Diego, currently ranked third in the nation, completes its season with a 16-2-2 mark.

Played in front of another capacity crowd at the 4,000-seat Torero Stadium, the game's start was almost delayed due to heavy fog conditions. Just before kickoff the fog lifted and the game started. The fog continued to roll in and out throughout the first half, and briefly in the second period. Creighton, using three forwards up front, attacked the Toreros from the start and outshot USD 10-2 in the 1st half, and 19-9 for the game. The Bluejays had some early chances, but Torero keeper Justin Neerhof recorded four saves in the 1st half, and sophomore defender Garrett Turk blocked a potential goal.

Creighton scored its first goal at 50:54 when forward Keith Sawarynski took a cross from Mike Tranchilla and scored from 10 yards out front. The Bluejays jumped ahead 2-0 at 69:40 when Matt Jewett received a pass from Brian Mulland and netted his first goal of the season from about 15 yards out. Creighton put the game out of reach in the 76th minute when Mullan scored his 15th goal of the season on a break-away after getting set up by Ishmael Mintah. Creighton goalie Mike Gabb went the distance for the Bluejays and recorded 5 saves in getting the shutout.

"Both teams played extremely hard and it was one of those matches where you felt the first team to score would win," exclaimed Creighton coach Bret Simon. "Through the middle of the second period this match could have gone either way. The final score is not an indication of how close this match really was."

This is Creighton's ninth-straight NCAA Tournament appearance, and its 12th straight NCAA road contest. San Diego completes its season at 16-2-2, and with its best winning percentage is school history (.825).

Scoring Summary
Creighton 0-3-3
San Diego 0-0-0

Creighton- 50:54; Keith Sawarynski (7th goal), assist Mike Tranchilla
Creighton- 69:40; Matt Jewett (1st goal), assist Brian Mullan
Creighton- 75:09; Brian Mullan (15th goal), assist Ishmael Mintah

Shots: Creighton (19), USD (9)
Corner Kicks: Creighton (3), USD (6)
Saves: Creighton (5), USD (6)
Fouls: Creighton (9), USD (12)
Cautions: YC - Sy Reeves, USD (51:20)
Attendance: 4,000 (s.r.o.)