LEADING OFF
The Mavericks wrapped up their first homestand of the season with a draw against Utah Tech. With the tie, Omaha moves to 1-0-1 to start the year, and has yet to concede a goal. This week, the Mavericks head to Missouri for their first road match of the season. Kickoff from Columbia, Mo., is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 24.
QUICK KICKS
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Omaha was ranked 10th in the first United Soccer Coaches Top 25 - West Region poll of the season after a 1-0-1 start. It is the first time the Mavericks have been ranked in the regional poll since the 2021 spring season.
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Omaha and Utah Tech played to a 0-0 draw on Sunday. Emma Konsmo recorded her second shutout of the season in net for the Mavericks, making four saves.
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Konsmo is tied for first place in the country in clean sheets along with 22 other goalkeepers that have started the season with two shutouts.
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Senior Grace Crockett was named TicketSmarter Summit League Defensive Peak Performer of the Week after a two-assist game against Southern Utah and two team shutouts over the weekend.
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Crockett set a new career high with two assists against the Thunderbirds and currently ranks second in the Summit League in assists. Grace logged a total of 118 minutes over the Mavericks' first two shutout performances.
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Sophia Green is tied for third in the Summit League with 10 total shots. Green is also tied for third place in shots on goal with three.
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The Omaha women's soccer team was tabbed third in the Summit League Preseason Poll after finishing third in the regular season last year.
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Grace Ostergaard and Regan Zimmers were named Players to Watch by the Summit League.
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Head coach Tim Walters enters his seventh season at the helm. He has recorded 43 wins on the pitch, including three Summit League semifinal wins, one Summit League championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance.
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The goalkeeping duo of senior Mia Reedtz and sophomore Emma Konsmo combined for eight team-shutouts last season. Reedtz started 12 matches last season between the pipes with a save percentage of 72% and a goals against average of 1.25. Konsmo started 10 matches in net with a save percentage of 76.5% and an average of 1.54 goals against.
SCOUTING THE MISSOURI TIGERS
The Tigers of Missouri are 2-0 to start the 2023 season with wins over Southeast Missouri State and Creighton. The Tigers defeated SEMO 4-0 in their season opener. The Missouri defense did not surrender a shot in the entire 90 minutes. Despite allowing an own-goal just 22 seconds into their match at Creighton, Missouri prevailed over the Bluejays with a 3-1 victory. Tigers' goalkeeper Keelan Terrell faced three shots in the win.
TIGERS TO WATCH
• Kylee Simmons is off to a fast start in 2023. Over 17 appearances in 2022, Kylee recorded two goals and two assists. This year, Simmons leads the Tigers with three goals over two games. The sophomore scored her first goal of the season against SEMO and notched two goals in the Tigers' last match at Creighton.
• Shania Spriggs is a newcomer to watch for Missouri. The freshman defender is currently third on the team with three points on the season. Spriggs recorded a goal and an assist in her collegiate debut against SEMO.
• Freshman goalkeeper Kate Phillips has a goals against average of 0.57 through two starts this season. Phillips has made three saves over 156 minutes and has earned two wins in net for the Tigers.
SERIES HISTORY
The Mavericks and Tigers met for the first time in 2022. Missouri took an early lead with an 18th-minute goal from Milena Fischer, but Omaha was able to answer in the 87th minute with a goal from Cece Behrens. The match ended in a 1-1 draw.
