Weekly Release
Live Stats (vs. San Diego State)
Live Stats (at UC Riverside)
Fresh off a 3-2 win over Seattle on Sunday, the UNO men's soccer team travels to Riverside, Calif., this weekend for the Courtyard by Marriott Highlander Soccer Invitational. On Friday, the Mavericks play San Diego State at the UC Riverside Soccer Stadium at 7 p.m. (CT). On Sunday, UNO wraps up play against host UC Riverside at 11:30 a.m. (CT). Live stats will be available for both matches at OMavs.com.
Series History
Omaha will be meeting both teams for the first time in program history.
Diego's Grand Opening
Playing in his first-ever collegiate game, UNO freshman midfielder
Devin Diego played a huge role in the Mavs' 3-2 win over Seattle on Sept. 9 with two goals and one assist. He was named The Summit League Offensive Player of the Week for his effort. In 44 minutes of playing time, Diego became the first Maverick in team history to score two goals in a game, and with five points was also the first to have more than two points in a single game. Diego earned a penalty kick in the 48th minute and scored it for a 1-0 lead. In the 50th minute, he bent in a shot from the left side of the box into the upper right corner for a 2-0 lead. And he assisted the eventual game-winning goal in the 69th minute with a free kick cross to the head of
Vance Rookwood for a 3-1 lead.
Making Strides
Just four games into the 2012 season, the Mavs have shown drastic improvement from 2011, when they went 1-11-1 in the program's first year of existence. In four games this year, the Mavericks have scored nine goals, which is three more than the final goal total through 13 games last season. Omaha's players have combined for 28 points already this season, 13 more than the 15 recorded all last year.
Vance Rookwood's six points are greater than any UNO point total from all of last season, and Rookwood and
Giovanni Giattino are the first players to record multiple assists in a season with two each. Ten different players have recorded points for the Mavs this season, compared to seven last year.
Next Up for the Mavs
The Mavs open Summit League play at Western Illinois on Saturday, Sept. 22 at 1 p.m.
Last Time Out
OMAHA, Neb. -
Devin Diego scored two goals and added one assist, and
Vance Rookwood also scored for the UNO men's soccer team, as the Mavericks picked up a 3-2 win over Seattle in front of 412 fans at the UNO Soccer Field on Sunday. UNO improved to 2-2 on the season and has won both home games so far this year. After an uneventful first half that saw just two shots on goal - both by UNO - the action picked up early in the second half.
Devin Diego scored on a penalty kick in the 48th minute, then added an 18-yard shot from the left edge of the box into the upper right corner in the 50th minute. After Seattle drew back a goal, Diego sent a free kick to the head of Rookwood, who scored for a 3-1 lead. UNO held on to the win despite an 85th minute goal.
Scouting San Diego State
San Diego State enters Friday's game against UNO with a 1-2-1 record, though the Aztecs have played a tough schedule. SDSU lost 3-2 to No. 17 Notre Dame, tied No. 10 Indiana 0-0, beat Houston Baptist 3-2 and lost to Ohio State 2-1. The Aztecs are led by Jordan Ongaro and Kody Duff, who each have two goals. Blake Hylen and Tim Peitsch have split time in goal. Hylen is 0-2-1 with 21 saves and a 1.64 goals against average. Peitsch is 1-0-0 with two saves and a 1.70 goals against average.
Scouting UC Riverside
UC Riverside is 5-0 and is rated No. 25 in the NSCAA Top 25 Poll. Aaron Long has three goals and one assist to lead the Highlanders. Ivan Garcia has two goals and two assists. Ashkan Khosravi has made 16 saves and allowed just four goals in five games for a 0.78 goals against average. UC Riverside opens play at the tournament Friday night against North Florida. The Highlanders enter the tournament off of a 4-3 win at UNLV.
