Mavericks Open Season with Incarnate Word
Aug 21, 2014 | Women's Soccer
Fresh off a 2-1 exhibition win at Iowa State last Friday, the UNO women's soccer team will look to carry over its confidence into Friday's regular season and home opener against Incarnate Word at 7 p.m. at Caniglia Field. Free live stats and a live webcast (purchase necessary) will be available at OMavs.com.
The Teams
Omaha is coming off a 3-11-2 season with a 1-6 record in the Summit League, but the Mavericks feel as though they played better than their record indicated. Although the Mavs have eight starters back, they will be a young squad with only two seniors on the roster in Anna Sibson and Ali Engler. All-Summit League second-team defender Hannah Wampler and All-Freshman Team defender Lauren Lawler will again look to lead the back line, as the Mavericks try to convert their solid play into more results this season. In all, 14 letterwinners return. Junior forward Chelsi Rohloff is the top returning scoring threat after recording two goals and three assists in her first season at UNO. Sophomore Ava Doetsch scored two goals last season playing forward but may contribute on defense this season. Courtney Neville and Marquette Pick controlled the central midfield for UNO in 2013 and both are back as juniors. In goal, junior Meaghan Clark is back after starting the last two seasons. Clark posted a .730 save percentage with a 1.81 goals against average last season. Sophomore defender Morgan Westenburg is back in the fold after missing the entire 2013 season with an injury. As a freshman, Westenburg started all 18 matches and had one goal. The Mavs will need early contributions from some of their eight newcomers. Creighton transfer Kyla Booker brings two years of experience and scored two goals last season for the Jays.
Located in San Antonio, Incarnate Word is also in the midst of a transition to Division I. The Cardinals were 10-6-3 overall last season and 4-5-3 in the Southland Conference. Sophomore mifielder Abigail Koenigs is the top returning scorer, registering seven goals and one assist last season. Senior defender Amanda Watkins had four goals. Junior goalie Heather Kowalik started all 19 games last year and gave up 1.10 goals per game with a .756 save percentage.
Series History
The teams will be meeting for the first time.
Last Time Out
AMES, Iowa - The Omaha women's soccer team began its final season of transition to Division I with a tone-setting 2-1 win over Iowa State last Friday night, even if it was just an exhibition match. The Mavericks got a first-half goal from Ava Doetsch and the game-winner from Courtney Neville in the 60th minute to knock off the Cyclones, who were 9-9-2 overall and 3-4-1 in the Big 12 last season and return 18 letterwinners. The Mavericks played the match without All-Summit League defender Hannah Wampler, but Morgan Westenburg played all 90 minutes after missing all of last season with a knee injury.
Up Next
Omaha makes a road trip next weekend to play at Weber State on Friday, Aug. 29 and at Utah State on Sunday, Aug. 31.
Grab Your Season-Ticket Scarves
The UNO women's and men's soccer teams are doing a joint season-long promotion for 2014 where if you buy an official “Omaha Soccer” scarf for $30, you get into every home game as long as you have your scarf with you. Scarves are on sale at the Sapp Fieldhouse ticket office and at each home game. For just $30, you can see $82 worth of Maverick women's and men's soccer games this fall.
