LEADING OFF 
The (5-2-2, 0-1-0) Omaha men's soccer squad hosts St. Thomas (3-3-2, 0-1) Wednesday night at 7 p.m. CT and Kansas City (6-2-2, 1-0-0) Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. CT in their first home Summit League matches of 2024.

Both matches will be televised on The Summit League Network. The Mavericks then host their final non-league match of the regular season against Creighton University at Caniglia Field (10/9).

The Mavericks' start to the season is one of the best in school history. This year's team is 5-2-2 with 12 points in the standings, trailing only the school's first two NCAA DI tournament teams for best record after nine games (2020, 6-2-1, 13; 2017, 7-1-1). 

Omaha's start is even more impressive considering they play in one of the toughest leagues in NCAA DI. According to the college soccer Massey Ratings, the Summit League plays the third toughest schedule in the country, trailing only the ACC and Big Ten. The Mavericks' slate ranks 41st most difficult nationally and second toughest in the Summit League behind Denver.

Omaha's season has been about defense.  The Mavericks rank 45th nationally in goals against average (1.0) and only 40 schools have given up fewer total goals. They rank second in the conference behind Denver in gaa (0.89) and fewest total goals allowed (9 to 8). Senior goalkeeper Nathanael Sallah's 13 career shutouts rank 29th in NCAA DI among active players.

Offensively, the Mavericks are led by Theo Klein (9 pts, 3 goals, 28 shots, 16 shots on goal), Mathis Pilon St-Louis (4 pts, 2 g, 12 shots, 8 sog) and Wawa Palga (4 pts, 2 g). In NCAA DI rankings this week, Klein ranks 30th in shots per game (3.11), 14th in shots on goal per game (1.78), 30th in accuracy (0.571). As a team, the Mavericks are also quite accurate, leading the conference and ranking ninth in the nation for shot accuracy (0.532).

The Mavericks fell from the United Soccer Coaches West Region poll this week, despite their strong showing against other teams ranked in their regions: (1-1 tie vs. Drake, #5 in West; 1-0 win over SIUE, #10 in North; 1-0 loss to ORU, #10 in West). The UMKC Roos are currently #8 in the West, the same ranking the Mavericks held last week. Omaha has been ranked as high as #6 in the West this season, when they also received votes in the national poll.

Under Donovan Dowling, the Mavericks have an impressive mark of 14-5-4 at Caniglia Field, including this year's 3-0-2 unbeaten string to open the slate. The last team to be unbeaten after five games was the 2017 NCAA tournament team. 

The Mavericks are home for 10 of their 17 matches this season, equaling the most dates at Caniglia Field in a season in school history (2017).

In the Summit League Preseason Poll, Omaha was picked to finish second behind Denver. UMKC was projected fourth, St. Thomas fifth. 

The Mavericks started the regular season 4-0 for the second time in school history and the first time since 2017, when they opened the season 6-0 en route to regular season and post-season Summit League titles, including the school's first Division I NCAA bid.

The Mavericks have been productive in the first half of games, outscoring the opposition 7-3 before intermission. 

Saturday's match against Kansas City is Men's Soccer Alumni Day.

OMAHA HEAD COACH DONOVAN DOWLING
"Excited to be at Caniglia this week for two critical Summit League matches. Both teams will provide different, but difficult matchups for us."

SCOUTING THE TOMMIES
St. Thomas lost their Summit League opener 3-0 at home against Kansas City (9/28). Overall they are 3-3-2 and 1-1 on the road this season. They have scored the fewest (10) and allowed the most (16) goals among Summit League teams this year. Sophomore goalkeeper Moritz Krenc leads the conference in saves (36). Senior Faris Colic leads the team in goals (4) and points (10). Grad student Sydney Kerr and junior Gunnar Busch were named Summit League Preseason Players to Watch.
 
OMAHA-ST. THOMAS HISTORY
Omaha leads the series 3-1, winning the two matches played at Caniglia Field (1-0, 10/14/23 and 1-0 10/15/22). In last year's meeting, Nathanael Sallah earned the shutout, making five saves. Abdi Adan, assisted by Theo Klein, scored the game-winning goal. In 2022, Junior Casillas assisted on the game-winner. Thore Boehm has started all three matches against the Tommies. 

SCOUTING THE ROOS
University of Missouri-Kansas City (6-2-2, 1-0) is on a three game win streak and among the nation's most surprising teams this year. Ranked 8th in this week's United Soccer Coaches West Region poll, they boast the league's most productive offense with 25 goals.

Roos outscored their opponents 7-0 in wins over Tulsa and St. Thomas last week. Elie Kisoka earned his second Summit League Peak Performer of the Week Honor, as the Marseilles, France native assisted on one of the four goals in the win over the Golden Hurricane, then added an assist and the game-winning goal in a 3-0 win at St. Thomas to open league play.

Kisoka leads all Summit League players with 18 points and now shares the league lead with seven goals and three game-winners in his first season with the Roos. Kansas City is tied for third among Division I programs with 25 total goals and is tied for eighth nationally with 2.5 goals per game.

With six wins on the season, the Roos have already exceeded their win total of four from a season ago. Miguel Fernandez and Julien Le Bourdelous were named Summit League Preseason Players to Watch.  
 
OMAHA-KANSAS CITY HISTORY
Dating back to 2011, the Mavericks lead the all-time series with Kansas City (5-3-3), including a 2-0 win in their most recent meeting (11/11/23) in the Summit League Tournament Championship. Theo Klein had a goal and an assist and Wawa Palga an assist as the Mavericks earned the conference NCAA bid. Nathanael Sallah posted the shutout, grabbing seven saves and the tournament MVP honor. During the regular season (9/23/23), scored Omaha's goal in a 1-1 tie in Kansas City. In 2022, Pilon-St Louis also scored the Mavericks only goal in the 1-1 tie. In 2021, Klein had a goal and an assist and Sallah posted the clean sheet with seven saves. Omaha has a three match unbeaten streak in the series (2-0-1).