OMAHA, Neb. - Omaha men's soccer snapped a two-match skid and earned its first win in Summit League action Saturday afternoon. The Mavericks beat Western Illinois, 2-0.
Kenji Mboma Dem netted the game winner in the 36th minute.
Omaha is 4-3-1 overall and 1-0-0 in Summit League play.
How It Happened
- Lute Lillo Portero made his season debut in goal for the Mavericks and tallied the first two saves of the match on shots from WIU that came in the 11th and 18th minute.
- Mboma Dem took Omaha's first shot on goal in the 36th minute and found the back of the net for a 1-0 lead. His goal came six seconds following a blocked attempt from Theo Klein.
- Jaylen Drummond had a chance to tie the match in the 42nd minute but Lillo Portero made one more stop, and Omaha took a 1-0 lead into halftime.
- Dominik Danis and Arian Mehrang traded shots on goal for their respective teams in the opening 11 minutes of action.
- Omaha second goal then came on their next strike from Ede Gramberg. He was set up by Mboma Dem for the assist and the Mavericks took a 2-0 edge in the 78th minute.
- The Leathernecks would not get another shot off before the end of the second half leading to a 2-0 Omaha win.
Inside the Box Score
- The is the second time this season Mboma Dem has recorded a goal and assist. He now leads the team with nine points this season.
- Gramberg's goal marked his second of the year. He has five points with an assist from a non-conference match.
- Western Illinois took one more shot than Omaha (12-11).
- Kleil led the Mavericks with a career-high four attempts Saturday.
- In his first start this year, Lillo Portero earned the shutout. He made four saves.
Up Next
The Mavericks return home Sunday, Oct. 1. Omaha hosts conference rival Denver at 3 p.m. at Caniglia Field.
