Men's Soccer Survives Another PK Shootout, Knocks Off Top-Seeded Creighton

OMAHA, Neb. – Marquette survived another epic penalty kick shootout, on Wednesday, as it advanced past top-seeded No. 17 Creighton on the road and to the BIG EAST Championship final vs. Georgetown for the first time since hoisting the trophy in 2013, following a 1-1 draw after 110 minutes.

After a thrilling nine-round shootout to get past Xavier at home in the quarterfinal round, the Golden Eagles (7-8-3) stunned top-seeded Creighton (11-4-3) in a 12-round shootout on the road tonight. Junior Josh Coan, after a second-round miss, was vindicated as he buried home his final round try to send Marquette to the league final vs. Georgetown in Washington, D.C. on Sunday (1 p.m. CT).

Here's @jcoan98 finishing off an unbelievable 12-round marathon from Omaha! An evenly played match by both sides, but we prevailed. #MarquetteSoccer is headed back to the #BEfutbol Championship final for the first time since winning in 2013. #WeAreMarquette pic.twitter.com/tZmPATxS7r
— Marquette Soccer (@marquettesoccer) November 8, 2018

The Golden Eagles battled the Hoyas to a scoreless draw at home back on Sept. 29, playing the final 58 minutes a man down after Alan Salmeron's red card in the 52nd minute. The two teams will play for a BIG EAST championship and an automatic berth to the 2018 NCAA tournament on Sunday.

Creighton struck first when Luke Haakenson tapped home his third of the season amid a scramble in front of the net in the 23rd minute. But less than two minutes later, Luka Prpa answered back for the Golden Eagles.

NOT SO FAST! The cross from Zak Wegner and the finish by @Luka_Prpa and we are tied! Prpa connects on his sixth goal and fifth in the last seven games to make it 1-1 a half hour into this #BEfutbol semifinal. #MarquetteSoccer pic.twitter.com/co03iMo4r0
— Marquette Soccer (@marquettesoccer) November 8, 2018

The junior, and recently named All-BIG EAST First Team selection, connected on his sixth goal of the season in the 25th minute. Patrick Seagrist and Zak Wegner were credited with assists on the goal. For Seagrist, it marked his fourth-straight game, and fifth time in the last six outings, with at least a point. The junior defender ranks second on the team behind Prpa (18) with 12 points.

The two teams played the rest of the way scoreless despite their fair share of chances. Senior goalkeeper Luis Barraza made several impressive saves, finishing the night with eight, while his counterpart Paul Kruse had two.

64' | LA PARED! @LuisBarrazaa shows that he is a wall, saving this Sven Koenig shot to keep this game level at 1-1. #MarquetteSoccer pic.twitter.com/y6Xr4m0xv7
— Marquette Soccer (@marquettesoccer) November 8, 2018

The Santa Teresa, New Mexico, native and reigning BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year made things difficult for Creighton in the shootout, stopping two of the first four attempts and denying both the BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Year Sven Koenig, as well as second teamer Mitch LoGro.

Marquette's avenged an earlier setback to the Bluejays, who prevailed, 2-1, at home exactly two weeks prior.

Sunday's championship match will be aired live on FS2 and available on the FOX Sports app. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. Central time.

Keep up with the Marquette men's soccer program through social media by following on Twitter (@MarquetteSoccer) and Instagram (@MarquetteSoccer) and `liking' on Facebook (/MarquetteSoccer).

"One of the best performances we've had all year." - Coach B @loobe21 pic.twitter.com/jvObQ7WF3A
— Marquette Soccer (@marquettesoccer) November 8, 2018