OMAHA, Neb. - Omaha men's soccer earned its first Summit League win of the 2020-21 season Thursday night with a win over Western Illinois. The Mavericks downed the Leathernecks, 1-0, for their second straight shutout.
With the win, Omaha improves to 2-1-0 (1-1-0).
How It Happened
- Kenji Mboma Dem led the Mavericks in the first half with five shots, including Omaha's only shot on goal in the half. Dem's first shot of the match came just four minutes into the action. Mitch Hammer added another five minutes later.
- At the 14:09 mark, Dem forced the first save of the match with a shot on goal. He sent the ball to the bottom right, but Seanan Main would get his hands on it.
- In the 29th minute, the Leathernecks tallied their first shot on goal and only shot of the half. Paul Kirdorf sent one to the top left of the goal that Jeremy Pollard was able to punch away. A quiet first half would end in a 0-0 draw.
- Less than a minute and a half after the break, Nil Ayats ended the scoreless drought. Mitch Hammer sent a ball from the right wing into the box. Ayats blew past two WIU defenders and beat the goalkeeper with a shot over his shoulder in the bottom corner of the goal box.
- The Leathernecks managed two more shots on goal before the end of the match, but Omaha held on for the 1-0 win.
Inside the Box Score
- Thursday's win is Omaha's first win in league play this season. It also marks the second straight shutout by the Mavericks. The last time Omaha had two in a row was in the 2018 season with 1-0 wins over Eastern Illinois and Purdue Fort Wayne in November action.
- Ayats' goal in the 48th minute is the first goal of his career. He now has four points on the year with two assists from Omaha's win last week vs. Creighton.
- Hammer's assist is his first of the season. He has now tallied an assist in three straight seasons for the Mavericks.
- Mboma Dem recorded a match-best and career-best five shots in the match. His previous high was four shots set last week vs. Creighton.
- Omaha finished the match with an 11-7 shot advantage. The Leathernecks tallied one more on goal than the Mavericks, 3-2.
- Pollard earned his second shutout of the year in goal for Omaha. It marks the fifth shutout of his career. Pollard made three stops in goal. He improves to 2-1-0 with the win.
Coach Speak
"I've coached in nine collegiate conferences, and I've never been in a conference that had easy matches," said head coach
Bob Warming. "Today was no exception. The match was hard. I am proud of our guys for hanging tough together and securing an important first conference win."
Up Next
The Mavericks and Leathernecks will return to Caniglia Saturday at 12 p.m. to conclude the regular season series.
