OMAHA, Neb. – The Omaha men's soccer team kicks off the home portion of its 2019 schedule this weekend as the Mavericks host Columbia and UNLV at Caniglia Field. The Mavericks take on Columbia on Friday night at 8 p.m. before welcoming UNLV in a Monday night showdown at 8 p.m.
Follow the Matches
Links to live stats and video are available on OMavs.com. Both matches can be seen on OMavs.com with student broadcasters Owen Godberson, Jack Hoover and Matt Kirkle on the call.
Quick Kicks
- Omaha begins the weekend with an 0-2 overall record after falling on the road at Cal and No. 11 Saint Mary's last weekend.
- The Mavericks return 15 letterwinners and nine starters from last year's team that went 7-8-1 and appeared in the Summit League Championship Final.
- Junior Diego Gutierrez was one of seven players named to the Summit League's Players to Watch List after leading Omaha in points (21), goals (seven) and assists (seven) last season.
- The Mavericks were picked to finish second in the Summit League's Preseason Poll as voted on by the league's coaches for the sixth straight season.
- Head coach Bob Warming entered the season as the third-winningest active Division I coach with 468 career wins.
- With 468 career victories, Warming is tied for 20th all-time in wins in Division I men's soccer history.
Scouting the Columbia Lions
The Columbia Lions are coming off a 10-5-1 season in 2018, including a 5-2 mark in Ivy League contests.
Last season, the Lions scored 25 goals and were shut out in three of their 16 matches. Columbia took 12.5 shots per game and put 42 percent of those on goal.
The Columbia defense allowed 13 opponent goals in 2018. The Lion defense had five shutouts and held opponents to one goal in nine additional matches. Columbia opponents tallied 10.6 shots per game, including 40.8 percent of those on target.
Lions to Watch
No. 10 John Denis – recorded six points with two goals and pair of assists in 2018.
No. 5 Vana Markarian – totaled five points last season after posting two goals and an assist in 15 starts.
No. 16 Danny Laranetto – appeared in all 16 matches while tallying two goals and an assist.
Omaha vs. Columbia
Omaha leads the all-time series, 1-0. The Mavericks won 1-0 on Sept. 8, 2013 in Omaha, Neb.
Scouting the UNLV Rebels
The UNLV Rebels begin the weekend with an 0-2 record in 2019 after falling to UC Santa Barbara and San Diego State last week.
The Rebels have scored three goals this season while taking 14.5 shots per game, including 24.1 percent of those on goal.
The UNLV defense has allowed five goals in two matches this season. Rebel opponents are attempting 23.5 shots per match, including 23.5 percent of those on target this season. Goalkeeper Enrique Adame is 0-2-0 this season with 12 saves, a .706 save percentage and a 2.21 goals-against average.
Rebels to Watch
No. 5 Nico Clasen – leads team with three points on a goal and an assist this season.
No. 18 Nick Williams – scored one goal in two starts this season.
No. 12 Bryan Martinez-Serrano – netted a goal in three attempts this season while playing 123 minutes.
Omaha vs. UNLV
Monday's match marks the first all-time meeting between the two programs.
Looking Ahead
The Mavericks continue play at home as Omaha welcomes Michigan to Caniglia Field on Friday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m.
