Box Score OMAHA, Neb. – Omaha men's soccer needed only one goal to win their Summit League opener on Saturday night at Caniglia Field. The Mavericks defeated Eastern Illinois 1-0.
Omaha improves to 4-3-1 on the season and 1-0 in Summit League play. Eastern Illinois falls to 2-6 and 0-1 in conference play.
UNO held a 13-3 advantage in shots and a 4-1 advantage in shots on goal.
Omaha had three chances to score early in the first half. Xavier Gomez had a header deflected by Eastern Illinois goalkeeper Mike Novotny. The ball fell at the feet of Vance Rookwood. Rookwood's shot was blocked by an EIU defender. Then Felipe da Silva's follow up shot was blocked by a Panther defender. The two teams went into the locker room at halftime tied 0-0.
The game's only goal came in the 78th minute. Christian Garcia's pass found Vance Rookwood at the corner of the six yard box. Rookwood controlled the pass and tucked a left footed shot under the diving EIU keeper to give Omaha a 1-0 lead.
Omaha returns to action on Saturday, October 4 against Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Okla. Kick-off is set for 7:00 p.m.
