The Omaha men's soccer team opens up Summit League play on Saturday, September 27th against Eastern Illinois University. Kick-off is set for 7:00 p.m. at Caniglia Field on UNO's campus.
The Teams
Omaha (3-3-1, 0-0-0 Summit League) is coming off a weekend trip to California. On Friday, UNO tied Cal State Northridge. CSUN was rated 24th in the preseason national poll. Omaha was outshot 14-7 and 5-0 on goal, but the Mavericks defense pulled the Matadors offside six times on the evening. Goalkeeper Josh Christensen made five saves, including one in the second overtime to preserve the draw. On Sunday, Cal State Fullerton defeated Omaha 3-1. Vance Rookwood scored the only goal for the Mavericks off a cross from Jake McCain. Joseph Ghitis had a career high six saves. Mark Moulton, Nick Miller, Felipe da Silva, and Josh Christensen each have won Summit League Player of the Week honors. Overall, the Mavericks are led by Vance Rookwood with four goals and eight points. Nick Miller has two goals. Mark Moulton, Logan Mendez, Christian Garcia, Emir Alihodzic, and Felipe da Silva each have one goal. Moulton has the team lead with five assists, while Mendez has three. Jake McCain has two assists. Goalkeepers Josh Christensen and Joseph Ghitis have combined for a 3-3-1 record and a .706 save percentage. The duo have a combined 1.34 goals against average.
Eastern Illinois (2-5-0, 0-0-0 Summit League) dropped a pair of games over the weekend. On Friday, EIU lost a 3-1 decision to Bowling Green. Bowling Green took the lead in the first half with a goal. Will Butler tied things up two minutes into the second half. Bowling Green then scored goals in the 78th and 89th minute to seal the victory. On Sunday, the Panthers lost a 1-0 decision to Cincinnati in overtime. The game's only goal came two minutes into the first overtime period for the Bearcats. Eastern Illinois goalkeeper Mike Novotny made one save in the contest. Overall, Eastern Illinois is led by Jake Brillhart with three goals and two assists for eight points. Will Butler, Davis Wegmann, and Dominic Recca each have two goals for the Panthers. Goalkeepers Mike Novotny and Ben Feltes have combined for a 2-5 overall record and a .593 save percentage. The pair have a combined 1.57 goals against average.
Series History
UNO and Eastern Illinois University will meet for the third time this weekend. Omaha holds a 2-0 series lead over EIU. Last season, Omaha defeated Eastern Illinois 3-0 in Charleston, Ill. Christian Garcia had a pair of goals and an assist in the win. Chava Garcia had a goal and an assist. Craig Buettner had two assists. Matt Grosey had six saves to earn the victory.
Last Time Out
FULLERTON, Calif. – The Omaha men's soccer team (3-3-1) lost for the first time since August 31st today in Fullerton, Calif. Cal State Fullerton defeated the Mavericks 3-1 at Titan Stadium.
Cal State Fullerton came out on the offensive right away. The Titans took four shots on the Mavericks before UNO put a shot on the CSF keeper. UNO goalkeeper Joseph Ghitis blocked a Titan scoring opportunity in the 19th minute. The Mavericks countered in the 23rd minute when a Logan Mendez shot just missed finding the back of the net.
Fullerton got on the board in the 28th minute. Amara Soumah took a point blank shot that was initially saved by Joseph Ghitis. The shot rebounded back to Soumah who tapped the ball into the net for a 1-0 Titan lead.
Vance Rookwood got the Mavericks going in the second half. Two minutes into the second half, a Rookwood shot just missed finding the back of the net. Rookwood would draw the Mavericks even in the 67th minute. Jake McCain sent in a high cross into the box. The 6-foot-3 Rookwood out-jumped the CSF defense and headed the ball into the back of the net.
Cal State Fullerton retook the lead in the 72nd minute when Garrett Losee scored. UNO had a chance in the 88th minute to tie the game at 2-2, but were deemed to be off sides on their scoring attempt. Fullerton's Ian Ramos put the game out of reach in the 89th minute with his first goal of the year.
Omaha was outshot by Fullerton 20-4 (9-1 on goal) on the afternoon. Goalkeeper Joseph Ghitis made a career high six saves.
Up Next
Omaha travels to Tulsa, Okla. on Saturday, October 4 to play Oral Roberts. Kick-off is set for 7:00 p.m.
Grab Your Season-Ticket Scarves
The UNO women's and men's soccer teams are doing a joint season-long promotion for 2014 where if you buy an official “Omaha Soccer” scarf for $30, you get into every home game as long as you have your scarf with you. Scarves are on sale at the Sapp Fieldhouse ticket office and at each home game. For just $30, you can see $82 worth of Maverick women's and men's soccer games this fall.
