Mavericks Open Season on Sunday with Rockhurst
Aug 28, 2008 | Women's Soccer
The University of Nebraska at Omaha soccer team will open the 2008 season on Sunday, Aug. 31, hosting Rockhurst at 1 p.m. at the UNO Soccer Field.
Last Year
The Mavericks are coming off a 16-6-1 season, reaching the NCAA II quarterfinals for the sixth straight season. In the final year of the North Central Conference, UNO finished second at 10-2.
Rockhurst was 10-7-1 last year and 7-6 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference.
Last Week
UNO won its only exhibition match of the 2008 season last week with a convincing 7-0 victory over Hastings. The Mavs were led by senior MaryClaire Murnan and freshman Becca Swanson, who each scored two goals. Senior Amanda Iwansky and juniors Mykala Hanson and Megan Jensen each scored a goal apiece.
The Series
UNO leads the all-time series by a mark of 4-3. The last time the Mavs and Hawks squared off was in 2006, a 4-0 victory for UNO in Kansasy City, Mo.
The Coaches
Don Klosterman, UNO's only head coach in school history, brings a 157-33-7 record into his 10th season. Under the direction of Klosterman, UNO has advanced to at least the quarterfinals in six straight seasons, including the 2005 National Championship. He has also been named the National Coach of the Year two times (2002, 2005) and has claimed six NCC Championships.
Greg Herdlick begins his 10th season as the head coach for the Hawks. Herlick has compiled a 91-60-9 overall record at Rockhurst. His .597 winning percentage is third best in the GLVC.
Next Week
UNO will host Mary on Saturday, Sept. 6 at 1 p.m. at the UNO Soccer Field. This will be the final non-conference test for the Mavericks before they open Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association play.
Rankings
In the NSCAA/adidas Division II Top 25 pre-season poll released on Aug. 12, Nebraska-Omaha is ranked no. 18. UNO was also picked as the pre-season favorite to win the MIAA regular-season title as voted on by league coaches.
Rockhurst was picked to finished sixth in the GLVC.
