Box Score OMAHA, Neb. – After scoring a total of five goals through the first three games of the season, the Omaha men's soccer team's offense found its stride in a 4-1 victory over Cal State Northridge at Caniglia Field on Sunday afternoon.
The Mavericks improve to 4-0 on the year, while the Matadors drop to 1-2.
Four different players scored for Omaha, including redshirt freshman Noor Hamadi, who netted his first career goal. Junior Mark Moulton recorded a goal and an assist, while Andres Irvin registered two assists.
Omaha dominated possession for most of the first half, creating several scoring chances. UNO finally broke through in the 39th minute when Kevin Correa scored an unassisted goal off a turn over from the Matador defense. Correa unleashed a shot from 30 yards out that hit off the hands of CSUN goaltender Adam Hobbs and then the crossbar before crossing the line to give the Mavs a 1-0 lead.
UNO's lead lasted barely five minutes, before CSUN leveled the score. Steven Manios played a ball down the left side to Pol Schonohofer who beat a Maverick defender and put his shot in the upper right side of the net. Omaha finished the half with eight shots compared to only three by Northridge.
Omaha wasted little time in the second half to put the game out of reach. Irvin played a give-and-go with midfielder Emir Alihodzic who played a pinpoint pass to Logan Mendez. Mendez gathered the pass and placed his shot beyond the reach of Hobbs to give the Mavericks a 2-1 lead in the 53rd minute.
UNO put the game out of reach with two goals in less than a minute. Lalo Gamboa played a ball to Moulton on the right flank. Moulton took two touches and unleashed a left-footed shot that found its way past the CSUN goal keeper to put Omaha up 3-1 in the 61st minute.
Moulton and Irvin combined on a nifty play to give Omaha a 4-1 lead just 53 seconds later. Moulton's pass found Irvin unmarked in the penalty area, but instead of turning to take a shot Irvin flicked the ball to an onrushing Hamadi. Hamadi put his shot in the left corner of the net for his first career score.
The Mavericks outshot CSUN, 13-9, but trailed in shots on goal, 7-6. Senior Josh Christensen made five saves for Omaha and earned his first win of the season.
Omaha is off to the best start in program history with five straight wins. The Mavericks are riding a seven game winning streak dating back to Nov. 8, 2014.
UNO hits the road for the first time this season with two games next weekend against a pair of Big East foes. Omaha plays at Marquette on Friday, Sept. 11 at 6 p.m., before taking on DePaul on Sunday, Sept. 13 at 1 p.m.
