OMAHA, Neb. – The Omaha men's soccer team returns home from its first road trip of the season on Saturday, Sept. 19. The Mavericks welcome Bradley to Caniglia Field for a 7 p.m. start.
Last weekend, UNO went 1-1 in a pair of road games against teams from the Big East. Live stats and video streaming will be available for Saturday's contest at OMavs.com.
Omaha by the Numbers
10 – Omaha has won ten straight home matches dating back to last season. The last home loss came against No. 20 Stanford on Aug. 31, 2014.
9 – Points for junior Mark Moulton on four goals this season, tops in the Summit League and 15th nationally.
766 – Average attendance so far this season through four home games, tops in the Summit League.
14 – Assists for Omaha this season, tops in the Summit League and seventh nationally.
12 – Goals this season for Omaha, which ranks second in the Summit League.
491- Minutes played by junior Lalo Gamboa, tops on the team this season.
0.75 – Goals-against average by sophomore goalkeeper Joseph Ghitis, which leads the Summit League.
About Omaha
Omaha is off to a 5-1-0 start after splitting a pair of road games last weekend to teams from the Big East. The Mavs fell at Marquette on Friday evening, 1-0, but rebounded to defeat DePaul on Sunday, 3-2.
This season the Omaha offense is off and running through the first six games. The Mavericks have scored 12 goals on 14 assists, which is the most in program history through six games. UNO leads the Summit League in assists and corner kicks (36). They are also second in goals scored and shots on goal (31). Not to be out done, the Maverick defense has been stellar allowing only six goals so far this season and has a 1.00 goals-against average.
Midfielder Mark Moulton leads the Summit League with four goals and nine points. Moulton also leads the league in shots (20). Senior forward Andres Irvin is tied for second in assists. Joseph Ghitis leads the Summit League in save percentage (.786), goals against (3), and goals-against average (0.75). Ghitis is also fifth in saves (11). Senior goalkeeper Josh Christensen is tied with Ghitis in leading the lead in goals allowed (3). Christensen is second in save percentage (.769) and third in goals-against average (1.50).
UNO is receiving votes in the College Soccer News and NSCAA NCAA National Poll this week. In fact, the Mavericks are up nine votes to 27 this week in the NSCAA-NCAA rankings, despite going 1-1.
Bradley Briefs
• Bradley enters Saturday's contest with a 3-3-0 overall record, but are on a two game losing streak.
• The Braves are 3-0 at home this season, but are 0-3 away from Peoria, Ill.
• Bradley was picked to finish fourth in the 2015 Missouri Valley Preseason Poll and received one first place vote. Defender Grant Bell was named to the Preseason All-Conference Team.
• The Braves have a Missouri Valley Conference high 16 freshmen on their roster this season.
• Frank Bak leads the team with three goals and seven points.
• Bell leads the team with three assists.
• Head Coach Jim DeRose is in his 20th season at the helm of the men's soccer program.
Series History Against Bradley
Omaha and Bradley have met twice, both times in Peoria. The two teams have split the two precious contests. The Braves won the first meeting 3-2 in 2012. Omaha won last season in double overtime, 1-0.
Mark Moulton's goal in the 106th minute lifted Omaha to a 1-0 overtime win over Bradley. Jordan Gealy found Moulton just inside the 18 yard box. Moulton's shot was deflected in front of goal, but had enough power to find the back of the net for the winner.
The overtime win for Omaha was the first in the program's four year history and snapped the 24-game unbeaten streak that Bradley had in overtime matches. UNO finished the evening with a 17-14 shot advantage. Omaha goalkeeper Josh Christensen made three saves as he recorded his third shut-out of the season.
Up Next
Omaha opens Summit League play on Saturday, Sept. 26 at IUPUI. Kick-off in Indianapolis is set for 6 p.m. (CT). The Mavericks will stay in Indiana to play Valparaiso on Monday, Sept. 28 at 5 p.m. (CT).
