OMAHA, Neb. - No. 6 Creighton University scored a pair of second-half goals in a four-minute span to open up a close game and claim a 4-0 victory over the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's soccer team Sunday afternoon at Morrison Stadium.
 
"We played against a very good team, arguably one of the best teams in the country and we knew going in that we had our hands full," head coach Kris Kelderman said. "I don't hesitate to say that we got beat by a better team today. No matter what, we can chalk it up as a great experience for our guys. It shows that we have to improve in various areas and we know that we will."
 
The Panthers (1-1-0) had their chances to get back in the game but were unable to convert against Creighton goalkeeper Connor Sparrow, who finished No. 2 nationally a season ago with a 0.49 goals-against average and recorded his 16^th career shutout today.
 
With the win, the Bluejays (2-0-0) extended their streak of not losing either of their first two games of the season to nine years in a row.
 
"I'm not discouraged about the result, considering we are such a young and inexperienced team still trying to find our way," Kelderman said. "The only thing I am a little discouraged about is that I didn't like the way we gave up the goals that we did."
 
Creighton scored early, converting in the ninth minute on a ball threaded through the back line of the UWM defense. The Panthers had a great opportunity to equalize minutes later. Sophomore Nick Moon found himself alone behind the back line, but Sparrow made a tremendous save to keep his team up 1-0 at the time.
 
With the CU advantage at 2-0 in the second half, UWM looked to change the momentum and nearly did on a 56^th-minute free kick.
 
Moon earned the squad the chance just outside of the right edge of the box. Freshman Francesco Saporito stepped up to the 20-yard attempt and sent the ball over the five-man wall and to the upper-90 of the right side of goal. What looked to be a 2-1 line on the scoreboard when it was past Sparrow's outstretched arms was denied by the cross bar.
 
The Bluejays then quickly took the wind out of UWM's sails, scoring in the 64^th minute to take control.
 
Senior Agustin Rey ended the afternoon with six saves in goal, several of the impressive variety. He made a sprawling stop at the near post in the 67^th minute, only to see Creighton close out the scoring in the 68^th when a defensive miscue left Rey by himself in back.
 
For the game, UWM was outshot 25-to-4 and did not record a corner kick compared to six for the home team.
 
One of the biggest games of the season is on the schedule next, as the Panthers welcome Marquette back to Engelmann Stadium for the yearly battle for the "Milwaukee Cup". That contest takes place Thursday with a kickoff of 7 p.m.
 

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