[MEN'S COLLEGE CUP: Creighton] In two seasons at Creighton, Elmar Bolowich has guided the Bluejays to back-to-back College Cup appearances. This year's campaign was one of the former North Carolina coach's most challenging in his 24 years as a head coach. He had to replace seven starters from the 2011 team that finished 21-2-1. With four freshmen and two transfers in the starting lineup, he has the Bluejays back in Hoover, Ala., after snapping Connecticut's 38-game home winning streak in the quarterfinals.

THREE STARS:
Jose Gomez, a senior transfer from Cal State Fullerton, is a finalist for the 2012 MAC Trophy. The 2012 Missouri Valley Player of the Year has scored 21 points on six goals and nine assists.

Co-captain Andrew Ribeiro, one of four returning starters,  claimed Missouri Valley Defensive Player of the Year recognition -- the ninth time that a Creighton player claimed the award.

Timo Pitter, one of two freshman starters Bolowich brought in from his native Germany, leads the Bluejays with 24 points and 10 goals -- the most goals by a Creighton freshman since 1990.

NUMBERS GAME:
Creighton comes into the 2012 College Cup with a 14-match unbeaten streak -- the longest among the four semifinal squads.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING:
“By the end of August, I thought [a College Cup appearance] was questionable. By the end of September, I thought it was a long shot.” -- Bolowich (Omaha World-Herald)

PROBABLE STARTERS:
Goalkeeper
30 Jeff Gal FR. Bartlett, Ill.
Defenders
3 Benito Amaral  JR. East Palo Alto, Calif.
6 Brendan Hines-Ike FR.  Denver, Colo.
27 Brent Kallman  SR. Woodbury, Minn.
4 Vincent Keller FR. Germany
Midfielders
28 Andrew Ribeiro SR. Green Bay, Wis.
7 Bruno Castro  JR.  Costa Rica
10 Jose Gomez SR. Santa Ana, Calif.
12 Zach Barnes  JR. Flower Mound, Texas
15 Eric Miller SO. Woodbury, Minn.
Forwards
18 Timo Pitter  FR. Germany
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