DES MOINES, Iowa - Omaha men's soccer (0-3-0, 0-0-0 Summit) begins a four-match road trip Wednesday, Sept. 3 when the Mavericks face Drake (2-0-1, 0-0-0 MVC) at Mediacom Stadium in Des Moines. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. CT on ESPN+ following the Omaha women's soccer match against the Bulldogs in Des Moines.
 

About Omaha

• Omaha was shutout for the second time this season Sunday, Aug. 31 in a 3-0 decision at home against Utah Valley.
• Senior goalkeeper Cole Stewart (Lee's Summit, Mo.) made his second start of the campaign in goal and recorded three saves on 14 shots faced against the Wolverines.
• Brothers Brett Perkins and Maguire Perkins made the start together in the Omaha home opener this past Sunday.
• Omaha's lone goal of the season came in the 24th minute of the Mavericks' season opener at FIU on Aug. 21 when sophomore forward Bradley Takamo (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) converted a penalty kick opportunity to give Donovan Dowling's side a 1-0 advantage.
• Omaha and Drake are tied 2-2-4 all-time in the series which began in 2013. Each side's two victories have come on its home ground. The last meeting resulted in a 1-1 draw in Omaha at Caniglia Field (Sept. 17, 2014). The last three meetings have resulted in draws with the last win recorded by Drake on Sept. 3, 2021, a 2-1 final tally.

Scouting the Opponent

Drake is unbeaten through three matches this season with wins against Incarnate Word and Graceland, along with a 3-3 draw against BIG EAST side Marquette. As of the latest United Soccer Coaches (USC) regional rankings (Aug. 26, 2025), Drake is ranked sixth in the West. The preseason favorite in the Missouri Valley Conference, Drake is led offensively by sophomore forward Preston Kipnusu who boasts goals in back-to-back games, coupled with an assist in the season opener to tie junior midfielder Jackson Kirsch for the team lead in points (five). Sophomore Thomas Butkovic has carried the bulk of the load in goal for the Bulldogs with a goals against averaged of 1.43 through three starts in over 251 minutes of action. Three Bulldogs were named to the Preseason All-MVC Team (Kipnusu, defender Ryan Barrett and defender Eskil Gjerde).
 

What's Next

The River City Rivalry is renewed Wednesday, Sept. 10 when Omaha faces crosstown rival Creighton at Morrison Stadium in Omaha, Neb. at 7:45 p.m. CT on ESPN+.

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