KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Entering the final three matches of the Summit League season, Omaha couldn't grab a critical win in Kansas City Saturday night, falling to the Roos 3-2 at Durwood Stadium.
It's the first time this season the usually stingy Omaha (6-6-3, 1-4-1) defense has given up three goals in a match and it reduced their already slim post-season hopes. Only the top two teams in the Summit League will play for the title after the regular season. The Mavericks are in fourth place behind Kansas City (9-3-3, 4-1-1), Denver and Oral Roberts.
The Mavericks opened the scoring in the 22nd minute when speedy freshman Mikey Stukenholz created an opportunity down the right side, sliding it out front to
Italo Jenkins who drove home his third goal of the year.
The Roos answered on a set play from 20' out as Julien Le Bourdoulous found the upper right hand corner to level the game 1-1 at 32:40. The Roos again benefited from a sharp shot in the 40th minute when Gabrielle Galluccio put the Roos ahead 2-0.
In contrast to low scoring games played much of this year, the Mavericks answered back with their first two goal half since September 9 against Houston Christian.
Elie Bokota took his first penalty kick try as a Maverick and scored 40:16 into the match.
Omaha had several opportunities in the second half.
Theo Klein's shot in the 66th minute sailed high and in the 67th minute, Stukenholz's shot was wide left. Klein's sizzling free kick was batted aside by Brandon McGaugh with about 15:00 to play. The Roos outshot the Mavericks 17-13 and in shots on goal, 9-6.
Kansas City took the 3-2 lead on Elie Kisoka's 10th goal of the season at 69:04, past
Cole Stewart, making his second start of the season in goal for Omaha.
The Mavericks play next Saturday, November 2 at St. Thomas. The 1 p.m. match can be watched on The Summit League Network.
Tickets for Omaha's remaining home game Saturday, November 9, at 1 p.m. CT against conference leader Denver at Caniglia Field are available at OMavs.com/tix.
