LEADING OFF
The Omaha Mavericks officially kick off their 2024 season this Thursday at 6 p.m. when they open things up with a match vs. SIUE at Caniglia Field, followed by a Sunday matchup vs. Lindenwood on Sunday at 1 p.m.
QUICK KICKS
• The Mavericks are fresh off another successful season having gone 7-5-7 with a 3-1-4 record in conference play, advancing to the Summit League Tournament Championship game for the second consecutive season.
• With a highly experienced roster featuring 18 returners, including five graduate students, each with at least four years experience on the team, Omaha looks to repeat its success from two seasons ago and claim the conference title and reach the NCAA Tournament for the second time in program history.
• Among the returners is Regan Zimmers, who returns for a sixth season. Her 2023 season was arguably her best yet as she led the defense to six shutouts and earned just the third United Soccer Coaches First Team All-Region honors in the program's Division I history. The reigning Summit League Defensive Player of the Year also picked up a spot on the national USC Preseason Players to Watch list.
• Also retuning is five-time All-Summit honoree Grace Ostergaard and a trio of players with double-digit points last year: Alyssa Kellar (five goals, five assists, 15 points), Cece Behrens (four goals, two assists, 10 assists), and Marissa Gohr (four goals, two assists, 10 points).
• The top returning goalkeeper is veteran Mia Reedtz Rehde Olesen, the Summit League Goalkeeper of the Year in 2020. She is joined by fellow returner Isabella Saldarriaga and newcomer Maja Baun.
• Including Baun there are nine newcomers on the team, all freshman: Blanche Brethes Vacchiani, Sammie Edwards, Martina Ertz, Alyssa French, Charley Kort, Clare Macklin, Isabelle Milne, Kristin Smari.
• Omaha ended the 2023 season ranked fourth in scoring (1.526 goals per game), first in goals allowed (1.00 per game), and third in save percentage (.810).
SCOUTING THE SIUE COUGARS
SIUE is coming off a third-place finish in the OVC last season at 5-6-6 overall with a 3-2-4 conference record. The Cougars fell in the first round of the OVC Tournament last year to Southeast Missouri after playing two overtime periods and ultimately losing in shootouts. Last week the OVC announced its Preseason Poll, with SIUE being tabbed second with 141 total votes (six first place).
COUGARS TO WATCH
Named an OVC Player to Watch, Matea Diekema is SIUE's top returner after claiming conference Defender of the Year honors in 2023. The graduate student led the Cougars with 1525 minutes played while also scoring a goal and three assists.
Also back is SIUE's top scorer and Second Team All-OVC selection Sidney Christopher. She led the way with four goals and 10 points in 2023 and appeared in all 17 matches.
With their previous starting goalkeeper having graduated last year, the Cougars' only keeper on the roster with previous experience is Abby Haskell who appeared in one game last year, allowing two goals and making one save.
SERIES HISTORY
The Mavericks are 2-0 against the Cougars, with both wins coming in the Division II era back in 1999 and 2000. Omaha edged out SIUE 2-1 in the first meeting, before routing them 3-0 in the second bout.
SCOUTING THE LINDENWOOD LIONS
Lindenwood finished 10th in the OVC last year at 3-13-1 with a 1-8 conference record. The Lions' lone conference victory was a 2-1 win at Little Rock to open October. In the OVC Preseason Poll, the Lions were voted ninth with 38 votes, just ahead of 10th-place Western Illinois.
LIONS TO WATCH
Defender Eyglo Thorsteinsdottir was picked as Lindenwood's representative on the OVC Preseason Players to Watch List. Last year she notched one goal and one assist and while also being second on the with 1263 minutes played, despite missing two games.
The team's top returning scorer is Anna Johnson. She finished second on the team last year with two goals, one assist, and five points, all while topping 1000 minutes in her rookie season.
Like SIUE, Lindenwood's lone returning goalkeeper with previous experience is Jordan Holligsworth, who appeared in four games (starting three) and had 21 saves (.778 save percentage).
SERIES HISTORY
Omaha emerged victorious in its one and only match against Lindenwood back in 2022 when the Mavericks shutout the lions 1-0 on the road. Emilie Erland scored the lone goal, while Mia Reedtz Rehde Olesen was perfect in goal for Omaha.
