Former Creighton soccer All-American Andrei Gotsmanov was taken in the second round of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft by the New England Revolution Thursday afternoon.  The standout midfielder was the 24th overall player taken in the annual event.  The selection by Gotsmanov continues one of Bluejay soccer’s most impressive streaks, as Creighton remains the only school in the country to have a player selected in every MLS draft since the league’s inception.

Gotsmanov, the 22nd MLS draft pick in school history, was the first Bluejay to become an NSCAA First-Team All-American since 2002 when he had the honor bestowed upon him last month.  A first-team all-region and all-conference performer this year, he was a semifinalist for the MAC Hermann Trophy, college soccer’s top individual honor.  The MVC Player of the Year and MVC Tournament MVP led the team and conference with 10 goals as a senior.

In just two seasons as a Bluejay, Gotsmanov scored 16 goals and dished nine assists for 41 points in 38 games.  CU was 19-0-0 over the last two years when Gotsmanov had a goal or an assist in a match.  He scored a Morrison Stadium record nine goals as a senior and totaled a venue record 14 goals in his career.

Gotsmanov is the highest drafted Bluejay since Brian Mullan was taken ninth overall in the first round of the 2001 draft.  Mullan is one of three first-round draft picks to play for the Bluejays, while Gotsmanov joins Ross Paule (1997) as the only second-round picks in school history.  As the 24th overall pick, he is the fifth-highest Bluejay taken in the draft.

Creighton, the MVC regular-season and conference champions, finished 16-2-2 in its 2008 season.  The Bluejays appeared in their 17th straight NCAA Tournament and advanced to the Elite Eight, where they lost to eventual national champion Maryland.

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