Bartlett's Gal headed to Creighton

Bartlett senior Jeff Gal is set to join one of the country's hottest college soccer programs.

Gal gave a verbal commitment this week to play at Creighton University. The Blue Jays opened the season unranked but have since gone 6-0-1 and were ranked No. 16 this week in the national poll by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.

"It's just awesome, an awesome feeling," said Gal, a 17-year-old Bartlett resident. "I can't wait to become a college athlete."

A goalkeeper, Gal passed on his senior year of high school eligibility at Bartlett this fall to compete with his club team of four years, Sockers FC Chicago. He also played with Sockers FC as a freshman but played for the Bartlett varsity team as a sophomore and junior.

Gal was first seen by Creighton coaches at national showcase tournaments in Florida and California. He thanked Sockers FC Chicago technical director David Richardson for facilitating his recruitment.

"Coach Richardson was really a big help putting my name out there with (Creighton)," Gal said. "He knew they were looking for a goalkeeper."

Richardson said Creighton could be just the beginning for the talented Gal.

"Jeff has the potential to not just play in college," he said, "but if he keeps working and pushing himself he can reach beyond that."

Gal visited the Omaha, Neb. campus the weekend of Sept 4-5 and received a scholarship offer the following week. He chose Creighton on Tuesday over offers from DePaul and Illinois-Chicago.

"It was a great atmosphere out there," Gal said. "The guys on the team are really good and it's a very good soccer program. I liked the campus and the stadium."

Creighton plays at 6,000-seat Morrison Stadium in the shadow of downtown Omaha, a state-of-the-art, soccer-only facility opened in 2003. The Blue Jays have ranked in the top 10 in NCAA attendance each year since, according to Creighton's website.

Gal, who carries a 3.3 grade-point average, said he plans to study either business or communications.