OMAHA, Neb. – The Omaha men's soccer team opened the 2015 exhibition season by hosting No. 9/10 Washington on Saturday in the South Omaha Classic. The Mavericks overcame severe weather and a late surge from the Huskies to earn a hard fought shootout victory, 4-3.
Omaha came out strong with a goal in the 11th minute. Senior Emir Alihodzic gathered a loose ball outside the penalty area and laced a shot that found its way past Washington goalkeeper Ryan Herman.
Alihodzic almost doubled the score in the 23rd minute, but the Washington keeper punched the shot away from danger.
UW's David Coly had a chance to equalize the score in the 26th minute on a breakaway, but his shot sailed just over the Mavericks cross bar. Omaha took a 1-0 lead into the locker room at halftime.
Omaha opened the second half with a pair of goals in a 34-second span. Michael Jaime and Fazlo Alihodzic teamed up for Omaha's second goal. Jaime played a pinpoint pass to Alihodzic who blasted a shot into the back of the net.
The Mavericks completed their second half explosion with Fazlo Alihodzic finding Kevin Correa on a cross into the penalty area. Correa volleyed home the pass for a 3-0 Omaha lead in the 51st minute.
Josh Heard put the Huskies on the board in the 52nd minute as he poked home a deflected shot.
Washington added its second goal in the 83rd minute as James Nosack scored off a cross to make it a one goal game. Justin Fiddes scored an unassisted goal in the 87th minute to level the game, 3-3.
Following regulation, the two teams went straight to a shootout. Omaha made all five of its penalty kicks to win the shootout, 5-3. Junior Mark Moulton was credited with the game winning shot.
The Mavericks begin their regular season on Friday, Aug. 28 when they host UMKC at 7:30 p.m.
