LEADING OFF
Having gone undefeated over the first two weeks of the season, the Mavericks look to keep up the momentum this week as they make the short drive down to Lincoln to face Nebraska on Thursday at 7 p.m., before returning to Caniglia Field to host Drake on Sunday at 7 p.m.
QUICK KICKS
• Omaha went 1-0-1 on the Utah trip last week, coming from behind to beat Southern Utah 2-1 on Thursday, before stifling Utah Tech's offense in a 0-0 tie on Sunday.
• The United Soccer Coaches released its week two rankings of the top 10 teams in the West Region on Tuesday and the Mavericks were voted in at seventh place; just behind Long Beach State and just ahead of Montana.
• Trailing 1-0 with just 18 minutes to go at Southern Utah, the Mavericks scored twice in 10 minutes to storm past the Thunderbirds. The first goal came when Keara Chaffee just managed to keep the ball in bounds before sending it right to Marissa Gohr in the goal box where she fired a shot up the middle to make it 1-1. Gohr followed this up by setting up Alyssa Kellar for the go-ahead goal in the 83rd minute.
• Kellar's game-winner also made her the first Maverick this season to record a second goal, while Gohr now leads the team with three assists. Chaffee's assist was also the first of her career.
• In goal, Maja Baun made her first career start at SUU, making five saves.
• On Sunday, the Mavericks defense took center stage as the unit led by Regan Zimmers and Grace Ostergaard limited the Trailblazers to just 10 shots (two on goal) in the entire match.
• Mia Reedtz Rehde Olesen stopped both shots she faced against UTU, with her second save being the 100th of her career.
• Blanche Brethes Vacchiani became the first non-goalie newcomer to start a match this year, getting the nod against Utah Tech.
Scouting the Nebraska Huskers
The Huskers are 1-2-0 to start their season after getting shutout 2-0 by Oklahoma State on opening day and 3-0 by Duke last Thursday. Nebraska's lone win came on the 18th with a 3-2 win vs. Colorado State.
Huskers to Watch
2023 First Team All-Big Ten selection Sarah Weber has scored all three Husker goals so far on 18 total shots (five on goal). The senior forward has 35 goals in her career, including a career-high 16 last year.
Fellow seniors Florence Belzile and Jordan Zade lead the team with two assists each. The two have combined for 42 assists in their careers, posting career highs of 17 and nine in 2023, respectively.
Junior goalkeeper has faced 20 shots on goal in two starts this year, stopping 15. In Nebraska's win over Colorado State, she made a career-high eight stops while allowing two goals.
Series History
The Mavericks are 1-0 all-time against the Huskers, shutting them out 1-0 back in 2021, as well as tying them 0-0 in an exhibition in 2022. Mia Reedtz shutout Nebraska in the victory, making six saves, while an own goal supplied Omaha with all the scoring it needed.
Scouting the Drake Bulldogs
Drake enters the week still looking for its first win at 0-2-2. So far, the Bulldogs have tied St. Thomas and Iowa State 1-1 while falling 1-0 to Kansas and 5-3 to Butler. Before coming to Omaha they will stop in Vermillion to play South Dakota on Thursday.
Bulldogs to Watch
Defender Zoey Mahoney is one of five Bulldogs to score a goal this season, but is the only one of the five to also log an assist as she leads the way with three points. Meanwhile, Eve Blakey paces the team with two assists
Defensively, freshman Izzy Snowden from Elkhorn, Nebraska is the team leader among non-goalkeepers in minutes played with 342 out of a possible 360.
Sophomore Allie Ford has started in goal all four matches so far, totaling 17 saves and allowing eight goals. In her rookie season, she made 58 saves en route to 12 wins.
Series History
Omaha holds a 5-4 edge over Drake, though, the two are tied at 4-4 in the Division I era. The two teams have faced off in each of the last three seasons, with Omaha winning 1-0 in exhibitions in 2021 and 2022, while the Bulldogs prevailed 1-0 in the regular season last year.
