OMAHA, Neb. – The Omaha men's soccer team sent off its senior class in exciting fashion Saturday afternoon, toppling visiting Oral Roberts 2-1 on Senior Day at Caniglia Field.
Eight Mavericks donned the black and white for the last time in home Summit League action. The eight players are Emir Alihodzic, Josh Christensen, Kevin Correa, Andres Irvin, Logan Mendez, Jesus Perez, Felipe da Silva, and Parker Victor.
Omaha improved to 8-4-2 overall and 2-2-1 in Summit League play. Oral Roberts is now 4-6-1 overall and 2-2 in league play.
The Mavericks dominated the early part of the first half. Mark Moulton's shot in the third minute was blocked by an Oral Roberts defender. Emir Alihodzic and Fazlo Alihodzic each had their shots blocked by the Golden Eagle defense in the 9th minute.
ORU scored on its first shot of the game. Juan Diego Padilla played a perfect pass to Matthew Rogers. Rogers finished the play by hitting a one-time half volley to beat Christensen to quiet the home crowd in the 12th minute of play.
The early goal from Oral Roberts seemed to wake the Omaha offense. UNO leveled the game less than two minutes later. Mark Moulton played a cross into the penalty area. Mendez outjumped a pair of defenders and headed home his sixth goal of the season.
The Mavericks took the lead in the 19th minute on a penalty kick. Following a Oral Roberts foul 30 yards away from goal, Mendez played a free kick into the penalty area towards Emir Alihodzic. On the play, Alihodzic was pulled down by a Golden Eagle defender and was awarded a penalty kick. Alihodzic stepped up and placed the ball into the side netting for a 2-1 lead. It was his first goal of the season.
In the second half, Oral Roberts out shot Omaha by a 6-2 margin, but could not find the equalizing goal. The Mavericks had two chances late in the game to stretch the lead, but were unable to convert the opportunity. In the 80th minute, Cole Nelson played a ball into the penalty area that found the head of Fazlo Alihodzic. Alihodzic's header was saved by ORU goalkeeper, Ben LaCourse. In the final 30 seconds, Moulton beat a pair of ORU defenders at midfield and was 1-on-1 with the Golden Eagle goalkeeper outside the penalty area. Moulton's shot on a wide open goal trickled just left of target.
Josh Christensen allowed one goal and made to saves as he improved his record on the season to 4-1-0 overall. LaCourse allowed two goals and made one save.
Omaha hosts Missouri State on Wednesday, Oct. 28 in a nonconference match at Caniglia Field. This will be the final home match of the season for the Mavericks. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
