The Omaha men's soccer team opens the 2015 exhibition season by hosting 10th-rated Washington on Saturday, Aug. 22 in the South Omaha Classic. The match is scheduled to kickoff at 7:00 p.m. at Caniglia Field.
The Mavericks and Huskies are both playing their first and only match of the preseason.
Introducing Omaha
The Mavericks return 13 letterwinners, but look to replace 56 percent of their scoring from the 2014 squad that finished 10-5-2 overall and 3-2-1 in conference play. Omaha earned a share of the Summit League regular season title. Jason Mims enters his 5th season as the Mavericks head coach.
UNO was picked to finish second in The Summit League Preseason Coaches Poll.
Junior midfielder Mark Moulton returns after a solid sophomore campaign that saw him earn All-Summit League First Team honors. The Mavericks will boast an experienced core as the team returns nine of its 11 starters from a year ago including seniors Felipe da Silva and Emir Alihodzic, junior Jake McCain, and sophomore Michael Jaime, who was tabbed to the Summit Leagues All-Newcomer Team after his first season in Omaha. Head coach Jason Mims was selected as the Summit League Coach of the Year following the regular season.
The Mavericks will also have a large injection of new faces this season, with six true freshmen set to make their debuts in the Black and White. The impressive class includes a pair of transfers in Kevin Correa and Fazlo Alihodzic. Correa was named to the 2014 Herman watch list while playing at New Mexico.
Meet the Huskies
Washington enters 2015 rated 10th in the NSCAA Preseason Poll after tallying a 12-5-3 record a year ago. The Huskies advanced to the third round of the 2014 NCAA Men's Soccer Championships. Washington was picked to finish third in the Pac-12 in a polling of the conference coaches. The Huskies received one first place vote and finished behind UCLA and Stanford in the poll.
UW had two players selected to the inaugural preseason All-Pac-12 Team as James Moberg and Mason Robertson were honored on the 11-player roster.
Washington returns four of its five leading scorers from last season. Robertson and Josh Heard each scored seven goals last season. Defender Justin Schmidt had a team high seven assists, while Moberg added six assists. Moberg was recently called up the U.S. U-23 Camp in Carson, Calif.
Senior Ryan Herman will takeover in goal for the Huskies. Last season, Herman had a 3-0 record with a 1.00 goals against average. In 2013, he made 19 starts, compiling a 13-2-3 record that included eight shutouts and a 0.83 goals against average.
The Huskies will have to overcome the loss of four key players, all now with MLS clubs in Darwin Jones (F), Spencer Richey (GK), Cristian Roldan (MF) and Andy Thoma (MF/D).
Up Next
The Omaha men's soccer team will open its season next weekend with two games at Caniglia Field. The Mavericks will square off against UMKC, Friday, Aug. 28 at 7:30 p.m., before taking on Pacific, Sunday, Aug. 30 at 1 p.m.
