Climbing the Summit
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FROM OMAVS.COM – The Omaha men’s soccer team clinched a share of its first ever Summit League regular-season championship on Saturday, taking down IUPUI, 2-1, at Caniglia Field in Omaha. Seniors Vance Rookwood and Felipe da Silva scored goals as the Mavericks closed out conference play.
In just their fourth season of Division I play, the Mavs claimed the first conference title in program history. Although it has locked up part of the conference crown, Omaha is ineligible for the 2014 Summit League Tournament due to its status as a reclassifying Division I program.
The Mavericks got on the scoreboard first just under five minutes into the game. After collecting a pass from defender Michael Jaime on the right flank, Mark Moulton cut the ball back and played a pass into the penalty area. Moulton’s pass found the feet of senior Vance Rookwood in the middle of the penalty area. Rookwood evaded a defender and tapped the ball into the back of the net to put the Mavericks up 1-0. Omaha did not have much time to celebrate the goal. IUPUI’s Clint Hoffar lofted a ball down to Emmanuel Usen. Usen chipped a shot from 18 yards out that snuck under the crossbar to level the score at 1-1.
Omaha nearly retook the lead a minute later when Joe Marinkovich’s shot hit the cross bar. Vance Rookwood nearly added a second goal in the half, but saw his shot go wide.
The Mavericks continued to pressure the Jaguar defense in the second half. Omaha nearly capitalized on a Logan Mendez corner kick in the 59th minute. Mendez lofted his kick to the back post where Felipe da Silva out jumped his defender and nodded his shot just wide. Less than ten minutes later, the duo would hook up again. This time Mendez sent his corner towards the near post to da Silva. This time da Silva was on target by placing his header just inside the near post to give Omaha a 2-1 lead. Mark Moulton and da Silva almost added a second goal from a corner kick in the 74th minute, but Jaguar goalkeeper Eduardo Cortes came up with the save.
Omaha outshot IUPUI by a 20-6 margin and held a 9-3 advantage in shots on goal. The Mavericks also had a 12-1 advantage in corner kicks on the day.
“We ended the season at home with a win,” commented head coach Jason Mims. “Our boys did a wonderful job at home this year. Everybody wants to win on senior day. I am happy for our seniors.”
Omaha’s Joseph Ghitis finished the game with two saves to earn his fourth victory on the season.
Omaha is now 8-5-2 on the season and finishes with a program best 3-2-1 Summit League mark. IUPUI ends the regular season 5-8-2 with a 2-3-1 record in the conference.
Omaha will finish the regular season with two games in Phoenix, Arizona next weekend. Omaha will play Incarnate Word on Friday, Nov. 14. The Mavs will close out the 2014 season against Grand Canyon on Sunday, Nov. 16. Kick-off for both games will be at 9:00 p.m.