Sept. 19, 2008

Box Score

STANFORD, Calif. - Stanford played nationally-ranked Creighton even for most of the match, but while Creighton was able to find a late goal, the Cardinal was unable to do the same in a 1-0 men's soccer loss Friday night at the Stanford/Nike Invitational.

Playing before a national TV audience watching on Fox Soccer Channel, Stanford was unable to assemble any dangerous chances in the penalty area, getting its best opportunities on long-range shots by Ryan Thomas and Cameron Lamming.

Creighton was in much of the same position, failing in its attempts to pierce through a rugged Stanford defense. However, in the 83rd minute, Creighton took advantage of a throw-in deep in the Stanford end.

Jeff Thayer's sliding pass in the box past goalkeeper John Moore found Ethan Finlay open on the far post and the freshman midfielder slotted the ball into the net on a first-touch shot.

Stanford pushed forward and had some of its best moments of the match in the Creighton penalty area, but was unable to pull off the kind of dangerous chance that would have tied the match.

Still, Stanford outshot Creighton (4-1 and ranked No. 11 by Soccer America and No. 12 by the NSCAA) by a 12-9 count, in front of a season-high crowd of 1,402.

"We were close, but we're clearly not there," Stanford Coach Bret Simon said. "We had many chances to do better in front of the goal.

"I thought at the end of the game, we played some great soccer to get the goal back. But a little work needs to be done to finish opportunities better."

A victory would have boosted Stanford's stock considerably on a national scale, but the Cardinal (2-2-1) will have another chance Sunday when it plays host to Drake (6-1, No. 19 by Soccer America) on the final day of the tournament.

CU - Finlay (Thayer, Sinovic), 83rd.

Records - Creighton 4-1, Stanford 2-2-1.