OMAHA, Neb. – Omaha women's soccer opens the 2021 slate at home hosting UNI Thursday Aug. 19 and then taking a short trip to Kansas State on Aug. 22. The Mavericks posted an 8-5-5 record last season and are coming off a third place regular season finish and championship match appearance. Omaha returns 10 starters including Summit League Newcomer of the Year and Goalkeeper of the Year in
Sophia Green and
Mia Reedtz Rehde Olesen.
Follow the Match
The links to live stats and stream are available on OMavs.com. Admission into the match is free at Caniglia Field. Food and non-alcoholic drinks are allowed.
Quick Kicks
- The Mavericks were selected third in the Summit League Preseason Poll earlier this week, while Sophia Green and Margaret LaVigne were named preseason players to watch.
- Omaha made the Summit League championship match for the second time under head coach Tim Walters last season. The Mavericks tied with the defending champions South Dakota State in the semifinals but advanced by penalty kicks.
- The Mavericks return 19 letterwinners, including 10 starters. Among the returners are Newcomer of the Year Sophia Green and Goalkeeper of the year Mia Reedtz Rehde Olesen.
- Omaha also returns all its All-Conference selections. Olesen and Margaret LaVigne were named First Team, Green and Grace Ostergaard were named Second Team, and Green Ostergaard, Olesen, Jordyn West, and Regan Zimmers were named Newcomer Team.
- Andrea Daves is taking her extra year of eligibility and returning for one more season with the Mavericks. She complied 10 points last season, including five goals and two assists.
- Six new faces join the squad this fall. Two local players in Cece Behrens and Sena Ahovissi. Reagan Bourgeois and Kayla Futakami will compete as freshman, while Rachel Thigpen and Meg Nemnich join as transfers.
Scouting the UNI Panthers
The Panthers went 1-1 in exhibition play to start 2021 fall action. They downed Northern Illinois but fell to Iowa. In the MVC Preseason Poll, UNI was selected to finish fifth in the conference. The Panthers finished last season 4-4-3 overall. UNI returns five MVC postseason award winners and the team's top-four shot takers from last season.
Panthers to Watch
- Caitlin Richards returns in goal for the Panthers. She logged 977 minutes in the net. Richards made 39 stops and recorded six shutouts. She picked up honorable mention All-Conference honors.
- Sandra Thiman earned Second Team All-Conference honors after leading the UNI defense to six shutouts last season. She started 11 matches and tallied two goals on the year.
- Lauren Heinsch was named to the All-Freshman Team and picked up Second Team All-Conference honors. Heinsch led the Panthers in points and goals last year.
Scouting the K-State Wildcats
The Wildcats went 1-0-1 in exhibition play to open fall action. K-State beat Summit League member South Dakota State 2-1, and then played to a 1-1 draw at Wyoming. K-State finished the season last year 3-9-2 with a 3-6-0 finish in the Big 12. The Wildcats added 14 players in the offseason, including five transfers.
Wildcats to Watch
- Brookelyn Entz returns for the Wildcats. She led the team with 15 points, including seven goals and one assist last season. She recorded 32 shots and 11 shots on goal.
- Maddie Weichel added a goal and two assists last season. She made 14 starts and recorded 13 shots with six on goal.
- Between the pipes for the Wildcats is Alaina Werremeyer. She made nine appearances in goal logging 787 minutes. Werremeyer posted a 2-6-1 record with a 2.06 GAA. She made 42 stops in goal for the Wildcats.
Series History
Omaha leads the all-time series 3-2-1 vs. UNI, while K-State leads 2-0-1.
