Box Score OMAHA, Neb. – The Omaha men's soccer team defeated UMKC in the season opener at Caniglia Field on Friday night, 2-1. The Mavericks improve to 1-0 on the year, while the Kangaroos are 0-1.
UNO got on the board early when Andres Irvin sent a pass into the attacking half and found Mark Moulton. Moulton beat two UMKC defenders and sent a shot that found the lower right corner for a 1-0 lead. Omaha continued to control possession for much of the first half.
Fazlo Alihodzic took a ball off the foot of a Kangaroo midfielder and played a pinpoint pass to Michael Jaime. Jaime quickly dribbled up the right side and sent a cross into the penalty area. Irvin headed the cross into the goal to take a 2-0 lead into half.
Omaha came out pressing in the second half, looking to add to their lead but the UMKC defense withstood the pressure. Kevin Correa had his shot saved by Kangaroo keeper Ryan Tome in the 53rd minute. Moments later Tome came up big as he got a fingertip on an Emir Alihodzic shot.
Irvin looked to have his second goal of the game in the 60th minute, but the header glanced off the post.
With under 10 minutes left in the second half, UMKC got on the board. Pandelis Popgeorgiev volleyed in a Felipe Cepeda corner kick to make the score 2-1.
Despite the late pressure from UMKC, the Maverick defense kept the ball out of the Kangaroos possession to seal the win.
Kansas City held an 11-10 advantage in shots, but Omaha owned a 6-2 lead in shots on goal.
Irvin and Correa each had three shots to lead Omaha, while goalkeeper Joseph Ghitis made one save.
The Mavericks will be back in action on Sunday, Aug. 30 as they host Pacific at 1 p.m. at Caniglia Field.
