OMAHA, Neb. – The Mavericks close a five-game home stand this weekend with a pair of Summit League contests vs. Eastern Illinois. The teams will meet Thursday, March 18 at 4 p.m. and Saturday, March 20 at 12 p.m. at Caniglia Field. Omaha is riding a three-game win streak into the meeting, while EIU is searching for its first win of the season.
Follow the Match
The links for live stats, video, and radio are available on OMavs.com.
Fan Attendance
Gates will open one hour prior to kick-off. No ticket is needed. The match is general admission for no charge.
Quick Kicks
- Omaha swept the regular season series with Western Illinois two weekends ago. The Mavericks posted a 1-0 shutout in game one and cruised to a 4-1 win in game two with the Leathernecks.
- The Mavericks were set to host Denver last Saturday, but due to a winter storm in the Denver area the teams had to postpone. They will now meet in Omaha on April 10 at 7 p.m. and close the regular season at Denver on April 15 at 7 p.m. CT.
- Hugo Kametani ranks fifth in the nation in goals per game (1.25) and points per game (2.75). He has 11 points this season and five goals to lead Omaha.
- Nil Ayats was tabbed the Summit League Player of the Week following his performance vs. Western Illinois. Ayats netted the winner in the 1-0 draw and tallied two in the 4-1 win, including a PK in the 59th minute.
- Jeremy Pollard improved to 3-1-1 in goal and has 10 saves this season to lead the Mavericks in goal.
Scouting the Eastern Illinois Panthers
The Panthers are 0-4-2 (0-3-2) heading into the weekend series. EIU opened the 2020-21 slate at Bradley falling in a close match-up, 3-2. The Panthers then opened a three-game road trip with a 1-1 draw at Western Illinois followed by two losses at Oral Roberts. The Panthers hosted Kansas City for their home opener. The Roos took a 3-1 win in game one, and the teams played to a 2-2 2OT draw to close the series.
Panthers to Watch
- Reed Axthelm leads EIU with five points this season, including two goals and one assist. He scored the team's lone goal in EIUS 3-1 loss to Kansas City. He assisted at Bradley.
- Shady Omar has also tallied two goals on the year for the Panthers. He also has 10 shots with five on goal.
- Chad Hamler leads EIU with two assists this season, while Lenni Kirschner leads the Panthers with 15 shots and six on goal this year.
- Jonathan Burke has logged 461 minutes in goal over five appearances and four starts for EIU this year. Burke leads the team with 37 saves and is averaging 7.4 saves per game with an .804 save percentage. He's given up nine goals and has a 1.75 GAA over five matches.
Series History
Omaha leads the all-time series 7-0-2. The teams played to a 0-0 2OT draw in Charleston, Ill. last year. Pollard made three stops in goal, while Burke made eight for EIU.
