Creighton’s roller-coaster soccer season took a turn upward Saturday with its upset of seventh-ranked UCLA.

The Bluejays combined Ethan Finlay’s seventh goal of the season with an outstanding defensive showing to produce a 1-0 victory before 2,273 at Morrison Stadium. Creighton limited UCLA to five shots, only two of which were on goal.

“We’re starting to play our best right now,’’ Creighton coach Bob Warming said. “We had our best two halves of the season against a very, very talented team. I was very proud of the effort of our guys.’’

The victory over the Bruins, second in the NCAA’s RPI ratings, improved Creighton to 7-3-4. If the Bluejays can build on the win, Finlay said, it could provide a spark that could erase some of the team’s early-season struggles.

“We know we haven’t put ourselves in the best position, but we’re playing well at the end of the year,’’ Finlay said. “This is really encouraging, and we know we are still capable of some great accomplishments before the season is over.’’

Finlay got the game-winner four minutes into the second half when he took a pass from Byron Dacy and knocked a shot past UCLA’s national team goalkeeper Brian Perk.

Freshman Dion Acoff started the winning play by playing a long crossing pass to Dacy, who was streaking toward the far post. Dacy had difficulty with the original pass but stayed with it to set up Finlay’s goal.

“I saw everyone getting to the near post, so I took the far post,’’ Dacy said. “I actually tried to play it across (to Ethan) the first time but I mishit it. It landed right underneath me, and I put it back across. Luckily, Ethan was there to tap it in.’’

The assist was the first point of the season for Dacy, who was one of eight Creighton seniors honored after the game on Senior Day.

“We had a great opponent, and we had to fight hard,’’ Dacy said. “We came together, bonded and got the goal. Now we get to celebrate.’’

Creighton finished off the win by locking down on defense against a UCLA team that had averaged 1.77 goals in its first 13 games. Warming credited assistant coach Jason Mims’ scouting report for providing the foundation for the Bluejays’ eighth shutout of the year.

“We channeled them out wide,’’ Warming said. “Whenever they got it to the middle, they looked pretty good. When we were able to keep them out wide, they didn’t look quite as dangerous.’’

UCLA (9-3-2) was able to put just one shot in each half on Creighton goalkeeper Brian Holt. He saved both, including smothering a point-blank attempt by Michael Roman late in the first half.

“We got off to a poor start, and it basically continued from beginning to end,’’ UCLA coach Jorge Salcedo said. “We have a much better attack than we showed today, a lot more offensive power. For one reason or another, it was just a poor day for us.

“That’s to take nothing away from Creighton. They’re a good team and they fought hard from minute one. I think they grew in confidence and strength as the game went on.’’

UCLA (9-3-2) 00—0

Creighton (7-3-4) 01—1

Goal: CU, Finlay (Dacy, Acoff), 49:06. Shots: UCLA 5, CU 12. Saves: UCLA, Perk, 4; CU, Holt, 2. Fouls: UCLA 18, CU 13.

Contact the writer:

679-2298, steve.pivovar@owh.com

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