Final Stats
MACOMB, Ill. - The UNO men's soccer team earned a 1-1 tie on Saturday at Western Illinois in its first Summit League game in program history.
The Mavs scored in the 16th minute for a 1-0 lead, but it lasted just seven minutes, when Western Illinois evened the score. The teams remained deadlocked through regulation and 20 minutes of overtime. UNO moved to 2-4-1 (0-0-1 Summit), while Western Illinois - the defending Summit League champion - moved to 2-4-2 (0-0-1 Summit).
Center back
Felipe da Silva headed home a corner kick by
Giovanni Giattino at 15:44 to give the Mavericks a positive start. It was his first goal of the season and Giattino's team-leading fourth assist.
But Western Illinois' Nathan Bruinsma scored at 22:22 after a Leatherneck corner kick. Charlie Bales played in the corner and Austin Gochneauer chested it to Bruinsma, who finished to tie the match 1-1.
For the second straight game, the Mavs again dominated play after halftime on the road. Western Illinois was held without a shot attempt for a stretch of 27 minutes in the second half. Omaha nearly took the lead in the 83rd minute, but
Craig Buettner's header after a corner kick dinged off the crossbar.
In overtime, the Mavs continued to hold play in the Western Illinois end.
Logan Mendez forced a save by Yves Dietrich just 1:30 into the first period and da Silva followed up the rebound but headed it right of the net. Da Silva was involved in the attack again in the 95th minute, but his header was saved by Dietrich. Da Silva finished with five shots, including two on frame.
The Mavs outshot the Leathernecks 18-13 for the game and 6-3 in shots on goal.
Matt Grosey made one save, a big one after a header by Bruinsma with a minute left in overtime.
Omaha will play its first Summit League home game next Saturday against IUPUI at 1 p.m. at the UNO Soccer Field.
