Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Omaha Athletics

Senior Elie Bokota makes his move in the Omaha win over FAU
Omaha Athletics
Senior Elie Bogota makes his move against an FAU defender

Omaha men's soccer looks to extend streak versus Loyola Chicago

Mavericks host Loyola Chicago Sunday at 1 p.m. ct at Caniglia Field

Aug 30, 2024

LEADING OFF 
The unbeaten Omaha men's soccer team (3-0) closes out a three game home stand at Caniglia Field Sunday at 1 p.m. against Loyola Chicago (0-1-1).  

QUICK KICKS 

Both Omaha and Loyola Marymount saw their matches Thursday delayed before completing the first round of Creighton's Jesuit Invitational.

After lightning in the metro caused a 90-minute suspension of play at Caniglia Field, the Mavericks closed out a 1-0 win over visiting San Francisco to improve to 3-0 to start the season. It's Omaha's best start to a season in seven years. 

In a physical defensive match that included five yellow cards, Omaha's Theo Klein scored the game's only goal on a penalty kick 42:02 into the match following a yellow card given to Dons coach Chris Brown. It is the ninth career penalty kick goal for the junior from Strasbourg, France, extending his Omaha record. 

The three game win streak is the longest of Donovan Dowling's coaching career. The Mavericks haven't won three straight at home since 2020.

The match had been moved forward two hours in an effort to avoid expected severe weather conditions, but lightning still caused a delay at approximately 5:30 p.m. CT. with 33:37 remaining to play. The severe weather skirted Caniglia Field for the most part, and with a little rain on the field, play resumed at 7:07 p.m. under mostly blue skies.

San Francisco's best chance to level the match came 59:13 in when senior goalkeeper Nathanael Sallah's leaping save of Joe Core's shot preserved the clean sheet. It was the 8th shutout of his Omaha career.

With their season-opening win on the road and a 3-2 comeback win over visiting Florida Atlantic Sunday, Omaha starts the year 3-0 for the first time since 2017. That season they claimed the Summit League title and earned an NCAA bid. 

Omaha starts 2024 ranked 6th in the first United Soccer Coaches West Region poll. Omaha is one of three Summit League schools represented. The University of Denver is 4th and Oral Roberts University 7th.

Their next match is on the road Friday, September 6 at 8 p.m. ct in Phoenix against Grand Canyon Universit. The Mavericks return home to Caniglia Field to "defend their fortress" the following Monday, September 9, against the Houston Christian Huskies and again Tuesday September 17 against Drake University. 

SCOUTING THE RAMBLERS

  • Last season, Loyola Chicago compiled an 8-2-5 overall record and was 4-1-3 in conference play. 
  • In its third season as part of the Atlantic 10, LUC looks to earn its first conference championship since 2019. 
  • The Ramblers return 16 student-athletes from the 2023 roster, including nine with starting experience under their belt.
  • Along with their returners, the Ramblers added 13 key pieces to the 2024 roster, including 10 freshmen and three transfers
  • This is the first time since 2004 Loyola has played three-straight games away from Rogers Park to open a season. 
  • After finishing second in the 2023 league standings, LUC was picked to finish fourth in this year's Atlantic 10 Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Maroon and Gold received two first-place votes in the poll. 
  • Goalkeeper Aidan Crawford, who was named the A-10 Goalkeeper of the Year in 2023, landed on Preseason All-Conference Team. He's the sole goalkeeper on the A-10's preseason team.

MAVERICKS RUMBLERS HISTORY
    This is the first meeting between the schools in men's soccer history. 

Print Friendly Version