OMAHA, Neb. – The Omaha men's soccer team wraps up a four-game homestand this weekend by hosting No. 13 UC Irvine on Friday, Sept. 4, before hosting Cal State Northridge on Sunday, Sept. 6 at 1 p.m. Live stats and video streaming will be available for both contests at OMavs.com.
Introducing Omaha
The Mavericks opened the 2015 regular season with a pair of victories over Kansas City and Pacific. Andres Irvin and Mark Moulton scored in Friday's 2-1 win over Kansas City. Omaha had to come-from-behind in Sunday's match against Pacific to earn a 2-1 victory. Fazlo Alihodzic and Logan Mendez each tallied scores against the Tigers. Sophomore goalkeeper Joseph Ghitis went 2-0 on the weekend with three saves.
Omaha returns 13 letterwinners 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.
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.
Maverick Kickers
- Omaha is currently on a five game winning streak dating back to Nov. 8, 2014.
- The Mavericks have won eight straight games at home. The last home loss for the Mavericks came on Aug. 30, 2014 against No. 20 Standford, 2-1 (OT).
- Omaha's 27 shots against Pacific tied a team record. It was first accomplished Nov. 1, 2014 against Fort Wayne.
- Fazlo Alihodzic earned his first career Summit League Offensive Player of the Week award this week.
- Logan Mendez has scored six goals in his career at Omaha, but the goal against Pacific was his first game winning goal.
- Joseph Ghitis won his seventh career game for the Mavericks.
Analyzing the Anteaters
- UC Irvine enters Friday's match up ranked No. 13 in the nation according the most recent NSCAA NCAA Poll. The Anteaters were ranked No. 20 in the preseason poll.
- UC Irvine opened the season with a 1-0 win over visiting Loyola-Chicago. Edgardo Molina scored the game winner off a corner kick in the 71st minute.
- Top Drawer Soccer has rated a pair of UC Irvine players in its Top 100 collegiate players. Mats Bjurman is ranked at No. 38, while Matthew Tilley is listed at No. 100.
- The Anteaters were picked to win the Big West South title. Last season, they finished second to UC Riverside.
- Head Coach Chris Volk is in his second season at the helm of the UC Irvine program. Last season, he led the team to a 16-6-3 record and an appearance in the Sweet 16 at the NCAA Tournament.
Series History
UC Irvine leads the all-time series against Omaha, 1-0. The Mavericks hosted the Anteaters for their first home game in program history on Aug. 28, 2011. The Anteaters came away with a 4-0 victory.
Measuring the Matadors
- Cal State Northridge opened 2015 with a come-from-behind win over Loyola –Chicago on Sunday, 2-1. Steven Manios and Shane Steffes each scored in the victory.
- Senior goalkeeper Adam Hobbs made three saves against Loyola-Chicago and also had an assist.
- The Matadors return 16 letterwinners and seven starters from last season. CSUN also features a roster with 12 newcomers.
- Trevor Morley, Juan Fernando Samayoa, and Patrick Hickman earned Big West All-Conference honors last season.
- Head Coach Terry Davila is entering his 17th season leading the CSUN men's soccer program.
Series History
Omaha and CSUN played to a 0-0 tie in the only meeting between the two programs in Fullerton, Calif. last season.
Up Next
Omaha hits the road for the first time in 2015 for a pair of matches against teams from the Big East. The Mavericks visit Marquette on Friday, Sept. 11 at 6 p.m., before traveling to DePaul on Sunday, Sept. 13 at 1 p.m.
