Mavs Host Drake To Start Preseason
Aug 14, 2013 | Women's Soccer
The Omaha women's soccer team kicks off the 2013 season with an exhibition match at home against Drake on Thursday, Aug. 15 at 6 p.m. at the UNO Soccer Field at 6808 Spring Street. The Mavs then play their second and final exhibition match at Kansas on Sunday, Aug. 18 at 1 p.m. The Mavericks are embarking on their second year with a full Summit League schedule. UNO is ineligible for the conference and NCAA tournaments until the 2015 season.
2-for-1 Ticket Special
Fans who purchase a ticket to Thursday's exhibition match will receive a free ticket to Saturday night's UNO men's soccer game against Penn State at Omaha South High School's Collin Stadium at 7 p.m.
The Teams
The Mavs went 3-15 overall last season and 3-5 in The Summit League but lose just one player from that squad, forward Danielle Archuleta. UNO earned its three wins in a four-game stretch to begin conference play, but the Mavs dropped the final four games, three of which came by one goal. Omaha returns All-Summit Freshman Team member Hannah Wampler, who put up three goals and one assist in her first year at UNO last season.
Drake posted a 12-5-3 overall record in 2012 with a 3-1-2 mark in the MVC to finish third in the league. The Bulldogs return 10 starters from last year's squad, led by senior goalie Kalena Litch, who started all 20 games and posted eight shutouts with a 0.91 goals-against average. Junior forward Ashlie Stokes led the team in scoring with 17 points on seven goals and three assists. Senior forward Generve Charles scored six goals for the Bulldogs last season, as the two combined for nearly half of Drake's goals in 2012.
Kansas went 10-8-2 overall last season with a 3-5 record in Big 12 play to finish sixth in the conference. The Jayhawks started the 2012 season 6-1-1 but went just 4-7-1 over their final 12 games. KU was particularly strong on its home field with a 9-4-1 record, compared to just 1-3-1 on the road. Senior forward Caroline Kastor returns after leading the Jayhawks last year with 11 goals and two assists for 24 points. Sophomore forward Ashley Williams earned All-Big 12 Newcomer honors last year after recording eight goals and two assists.
Series History
The series between UNO and Drake is locked at 1-1. The teams met last season with Drake claiming a 2-0 win in Des Moines. After a scoreless first half, the Bulldogs scored in the 56th and 86th minutes.
Omaha and Kansas will be meeting for the first time.
Up Next
The Mavs open the regular season on Aug. 23 at New Mexico State at 5 p.m. (Central). They also play at UTEP on Aug. 25 at 2 p.m. (Central) before returning home.
