OMAHA, Neb. – The Omaha men's soccer team opens the 2015 season this weekend with a pair of home games against UMKC and Pacific.  The Mavericks kick off the action on Friday at 7:30 p.m. against the Kangaroos before hosting the Tigers on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Maverick Kickers

• The Mavericks defeated No. 9/10 Washington 4-3 (5-3 SO) in its lone exhibition match.
• Emir Alihodzic, Fazlo Alihodzic, and Kevin Correa each netted goals in regulation.
•  All five UNO shooters in the shootout converted their penalty shot for the win.
• Omaha will have one of the most experienced teams in the region for the 2015 season as 13 letterwinners, including nine starters, return from last year's squad that went 10-5-2 and captured a share of The Summit League regular season title.
• The Mavericks lost forward Vance Rookwood to graduation as he finished his career as the program's all-time leader in goals and points.
• Mark Moulton (10) and Logan Mendez (8) combined for 18 of the team's 32 assist last season; both are back to lead the offensive attack.
• Head Coach Jason Mims begins his fifth year at the helm of the Omaha men's soccer program.

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.

Catching up with the Kangaroos

• Kansas City returns 15 letterwinners, including eight starters, from last year's 8-10-2 squad that finished fifth in the WAC.
• UMKC was selected to finish in a tie for sixth in the Western Athletic Conference Preseason Poll, garnering 48 points and tying with Incarnate Word.
• The 'Roos finished the preseason with a 2-0-1 mark with wins over Drury and MidAmerica Nazarene.
• The Kangaroos look to replace leading goal scorer Tato Chiaparro (5 goals), 1^st Team All-WAC performer Jordan Rideout, and starting goalkeeper Chris McGaughey (8-10-2, 1.37 gaa, .763 gaa).
• Last season's leading point scorer, Wes White, returns for his sophomore campaign.  White had 12 points on four goals and four assists in 2014.
• Brother's Nick and Brock Cramer return for the 'Roos.  Nick scored four goals with an assist, while Brock added a goal and four assists.
• Head Coach Rick Benben returns for his 17^th season.  Benben has a career mark of 124-158-35.

Series History against UMKC

Omaha leads the all-time series against UMKC, 2-1-1.  The Mavericks first win in program history came at UMKC on Aug. 26, 2011, 2-1.

Last season, Omaha earned a 1-0 win in Kansas City on Sept. 13.  Christian Garcia scored the game's only goal off a cross from Logan Mendez in the 20^th minute.  Josh Christensen made two saves to earn the win.

Previewing Pacific

• Pacific returns 19 letterwinners, including all 11 starters, from last season's 3-15 squad.  The Tigers finished seventh in the West Coast Conference.  The 2014 season was the first season in program history.
• The Tigers finished the preseason with a 1-1 mark.  Pacific dropped a 3-0 decision to No. 16 California on Aug. 19, but rebounded with a 2-0 win over UC-Santa Cruz on Aug. 24.
• Sophomore Tristan Blackmon was the leading scorer in the WCC last season with eight goals.  He also added two assists for a total of 18 points.  Blackmon was named to the WCC Preseason All-Conference team.
• Tyson Fox added three goals and three assists for nine points.
• Goalkeeper Jordan Adachi finished last season with a 3-14 mark.  Adachi had a 2.59 goals against average and a .667 save percentage.
• Pacific opens the 2015 season on Friday, Aug. 28 against Drake in Des Moines, Iowa, before travelling to Omaha for Sunday's game.
• Ryan Jorden is in his second season at the helm of the Tigers' program.

Series History against Pacific

This is the first meeting between the two programs.

Up Next

Omaha hosts UC Irvine and Cal State Northridge next weekend to wrap up a four-game homestand.  The Mavericks welcome the No. 20 Anteaters to Caniglia Field on Friday, Sept. 4 at 7 p.m.  Cal State Northridge visits Omaha on Sunday, Sept. 6 at 1 p.m.