Omaha, Neb. – Creighton University soccer players Blake Gillingham, Ryusei Shimonishi, and Jackson Castro have been recognized by the BIG EAST Conference for their exceptional performances. The league announced on Monday, September 16, that Gillingham has been named BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Week, Shimonishi has earned Defensive Player of the Week honors, and Castro has been included in the weekly honor roll.
Gillingham’s recognition follows his impressive performance in goal during Creighton’s recent matches. He recorded back-to-back shutouts, leading the Bluejays to victories over (RV) Grand Canyon (1-0) and Tulsa (3-0). This is the first time a Creighton goalkeeper has achieved consecutive shutouts since the 2022 BIG EAST Tournament. Over the two games, Gillingham faced 21 shots, made eight saves, and had several crucial stops that kept the opposition from scoring.
Shimonishi had a notable week as well, contributing both offensively and defensively. He scored the game-winning goal in the 1-0 win over (RV) Grand Canyon and provided an assist in the 3-0 victory over Tulsa. His solid defensive performance helped secure Creighton’s second and third shutouts of the season, limiting Grand Canyon to 12 shots and Tulsa to just 10.
Jackson Castro also earned a spot on the BIG EAST Honor Roll for his standout performances. Castro was instrumental in the Bluejays’ wins, assisting on the game-winning goal against Grand Canyon and scoring an unassisted goal in the match against Tulsa. He ended the week with four points, including one goal and two assists.
The Creighton men’s soccer team, including these standout players, will continue their campaign with a BIG EAST matchup against Georgetown on Friday, September 20. The game will be held at Morrison Stadium, starting at 6 p.m. (CT).
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