By Owen Godberson
(Omaha, Neb.) On Friday night, Omaha Women’s and Men’s Soccer teams went back to back in a doubleheader at Caniglia Field. The event was the annual “Pooches at the Pitch” event which brought dogs from all across Omaha to campus.
After going over 540 minutes without a goal, the Omaha Women’s Soccer team picked up their second straight 1-0 victory Friday night against the visiting Grand Canyon Lopes. The result brings Omaha to 3-6-1 on the year and is the last non-conference match for the Mavericks.
The match’s lone goal came late in the first half when freshman Lauren Mertz found the back of the net in the 43’. This was the first goal of her collegiate career, and the former Skutt Catholic Skyhawk became the sixth different Omaha goal scorer. The assist on the game-winner has been credited to sophomore Hannah Heinemann and senior Jaden Thiem.
GCU had their chances to equalize in the second half but were turned aside by an astute performance by senior goalkeeper Erin Bunker. The Maverick shot-stopper chalked up four saves in her second straight clean sheet.
Omaha begins conference play on the road as they take on the Western Illinois Leathernecks in their first conference matchup of the campaign. They return home on October 10th as they take on the North Dakota State Bison at 7 p.m.
After that, it was the men’s turn to take the pitch at Caniglia as they played host to the CSUN Matadors. The Mavs were coming off a big road win at Air Force but unfortunately weren’t able to capitalize on their momentum and dropped the match 2-1 in overtime.
Omaha scored in the 8’ off a penalty from Aaron Uribe, who was back from suspension after picking up a red card vs Creighton. He slotted home from 12 yards and Omaha would hold on for the next 69 minutes.
The Matadors leveled the match in the 77’ off of a strike from Daniel Trejo that beat Ugo Tritz, who split minutes with Jeremy Pollard between the sticks.
Neither team would score again in regulation, and the Matadors would go on to snatch the game-winner in the 98’. Johnny Rodriguez buried a shot from point-blank, with many of the Maverick faithful shouting for an offside. The goal stood, and the Matadors completed the comeback and delivered Omaha’s fifth loss of 2019.
Omaha will travel to Springfield, Missouri on Tuesday night to take on the #19 Missouri State Bears before returning home to start conference play against Western Illinois on October 5.
