The nation's top defender proved downright offensive and the Connecticut Huskies were howling -- with glee.

Chris Gbandi curled in a 23-yard direct kick that sparked Connecticut to a 2-0 whitewash of Creighton and the school's second Division I Men's Soccer Championship December 10 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The junior defensive specialist also spent the weekend in Charlotte being named winner of the Hermann Trophy, awarded to the nation's top collegiate soccer player.

"I've been struggling on those kicks and hitting them all over the place," Gbandi said. "I made a promise that I would get one in during a big game and I guess this was it. Overall, it was a great weekend."

Gbandi's winner occurred in the 16th minute and followed a Creighton foul against Brent Rahim just outside the penalty area. Gbandi lined up his left-footer and calmly placed it into the bottom right corner of the net beyond Creighton goalkeeper Mike Gabb's fingertips.

"I had to position myself a little bit farther from the post than I wanted to," Gabb said. "(He) took advantage of the inch I gave him. Unfortunately, when I went up, the ball went down."

Once the lead was staked, Gbandi returned to a defensive mode and ended the Men's College Cup championship match by being named the most outstanding defensive player. Connecticut's five-game run to the title saw the Huskies outscore their opponents, 10-1, allowing only a second-round Clemson shot to see the back of the net.

"We were told all year that we couldn't defend," Connecticut coach Ray Reid said. "And here we are after only allowing one goal in five NCAA tournament games."

The Huskies, 20-3-2, finished the season allowing just one-half goal per game, second nationally to Stanford. They also concluded with the identical overall record as their 1981 championship team.

"Congratulations to UConn," Creighton coach Bret Simon said. "On our best day, we gave it our best shot. Our players did everything I asked them to do."

The Bluejays saw their best season end at 22-4, one step shy of the school's first NCAA championship of any kind.

"With UConn, it is pick your poison," said Simon. "You could hold the ball, you could let them come at you. We chose to go after them and try to frustrate them, in hopes our attacking players could get through their mass of humanity. We were rarely able to get through cleanly."

Connecticut put senior Darin Lewis through with just over four minutes remaining to settle the scoring and the result. Rui Fernandez broke down the right side and fed David Castellanos, who crossed the ball into the penalty area. Lewis took the pass, made one move on a defender and sent a right-footed shot into the net for his second goal of the weekend.

The game drew 11,421 at Charlotte's Ericsson Stadium. Next season, the event moves to Columbus (Ohio) Crew Stadium.

Semifinals

First half: I -- Pat Noonan (unassisted), 29:33.

Second half: C -- Brian Mullen (Mike Tranchilla), 48:10.

Overtime: C -- Keith Sawarynski (unassisted), 123:53.

Shots: Indiana 12, Creighton 15. Goalkeeper saves: Indiana (Colin Rogers) 7, Creighton (Mike Gabb) 5. Corner kicks: Indiana 9, Creighton 2. Fouls: Indiana 11, Creighton 12.

First half: C -- Darin Lewis (Brent Rahim), 14:44.

Second half: C -- Cesar Cuellar (Lewis), 49:15.

Shots: Connecticut 15, Southern Methodist 9. Goalkeeper saves: Connecticut (Bryheem Hancock) 3, Southern Methodist (Byron Foss) 5. Corner kicks: Connecticut 6, Southern Methodist 5. Fouls: Connecticut 14, Southern Methodist 14.

Championship

First half: Co -- Chris Gbandi (unassisted), 15:27.

Second half: Co -- Darin Lewis (David Castellanos), 85:41.

Shots: Connecticut 11, Creighton 9. Goalkeeper saves: Connecticut (Bryheem Hancock) 4, Creighton (Mike Gabb) 4. Corner kicks: Connecticut 7, Creighton 5. Fouls: Connecticut 18, Creighton 10.