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Three first half goals, an opener by junior Ed Port and a brace by junior Hugo Kametani, along with a solid game-long defensive effort helped the University of Omaha Mavericks to a decisive victory over cross-town rival Creighton University.  The game was well-attended safely by supporters from both schools.  Today’s win was the Mavericks’ first ever competitive win over the Jays in four meetings.  This was also the first time the Mavericks shutout the Jays in competitive play.

The Mavericks put the Jays on the back foot right from the opening whistle.  Within 6 minutes, Port, a Reading, England native and Genesee Community College transfer, opened the scoring for the Mavericks after a defensive miscommunication in the backline.  The Mavericks kept the pressure up, and two minutes later scored the prettiest goal of the three.  Senior Nil Ayats threaded a great ball through to Kametani, who finished well for his third goal in three games.  Less than 15 minutes later, Kametani put the game to bed scoring his second goal by finishing a rebound from a Stevie Siy shot.

Save for a couple offside goals called back (one for each team), the second half was fairly sleepy.  Creighton was able to create a couple nice moments of build up, but wasn’t able to find the finishing product.  Callum Watson was active in both halves trying to create chances for the Jays.  The early goals took the edge off the traditional derby feel, but the second half did provide a few hard tackles and a yellow card to Creighton’s Landon Sloan.  The Mavericks move to 1-1, and the Jays fall to 1-1.

Both teams return to their respective conference schedules in what will feel more like a sprint and less like a marathon, as both teams play 8 games over the next 5 weeks.  UNO welcomes Western Illinois to town for a Thursday-Sunday set of games, and Creighton welcomes Xavier to town for a Saturday morning Big East tilt.

Game Notes

Player of the Game – Hugo Kametani.  The junior striker for the Mavericks has scored 4 goals in 3 games for UNO.  It will be hard for him to keep up that strike rate, but even if he slows down a little bit, he is going to be a force up top for Bob Warming’s squad.  He took his chances really well, and has a great work rate as a lead striker.  Hopefully he stays healthy and continues to score goals.

Pulling the Strings – Nil Ayats dished out two assists on the day, and he was fun to watch.  He was moving the ball well and playing some great passes.  I look forward to seeing how the senior from Spain performs the rest of the season.

Running down the Wing – Stevie Siy, a senior from Omaha Central, was active up and down the wing today.  The dynamic right back was present in both the defense and the attack.  For me, he was the best local player on display in today’s derby.

Shorthanded Jays – Creighton University was without Musa Qongo, Dominic Briggs, Cameron Briggs, and former Maverick Diego Gutierrez.

Tactical Thoughts – I thought Coach Bob Warming and the UNO staff got their tactics spot on and the Maverick players executed.  High pressure early in the game paid off, and the personnel choices in the backline kept the Blue Jay attackers mostly at bay.  Ed Gordon off the bench provided necessary work-rate and physicality in the midfield.  I don’t think the Creighton coaching staff necessarily got their tactics wrong, but the team as a whole came out flat, made some silly defensive errors, and didn’t execute on the final ball in the attacking third.

Thank you for reading and being a part of our new community. A like, share, comment or recommendation of content would be greatly appreciated.

Contact us on our website or email @ nebraskasoccertalk@gmail.com.

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Joe Cleary

Although it is rarely covered by the traditional media giants of the state, Nebraska is filled with exciting and competitive collegiate soccer programs. In fact, Nebraska contains a grand total of THIRTY programs for men and women. Those thirty programs compete across a wide variety of collegiate levels including Division I, Division II, Division III, NAIA, and junior college.

Nebraska Soccer Talk is here to examine, cover, and promote all of these teams. This task has been made a bit more challenging by the circumstances created by COVID-19. Depending on the playing level, conference, and school, the season outlook changes drastically. Roster information can also be in flux, depending on the school. Despite these challenges, our staff attempted to put together the best program summaries possible. To our knowledge, we are the only outlet providing such coverage to our state’s college programs.

Just like Nebraska Soccer Talk, this column will grow and become more in depth as the years pass. In the future, we hope to provide sideline coverage of games, facility features, coach and player interviews. We look forward to the journey ahead. Thank you for being a part of our community. The sport of soccer is growing in Nebraska, and we intend to see it thrive.

Disclaimer – In the making of this article, team websites and other research sources were utilized. Although we attempt to avoid them whenever possible, errors can occur. Please contact us directly with corrections.

Creighton University

Head Coach – Ross Paule

After a highly successful playing career for the Creighton men’s program, Coach Paule returned to Creighton to coach the women’s side in 2014. Since that time, the Bluejays have posted three winning seasons.

Assistant Coaches – Lisa-Marie Woods, Karli Kopietz, Josue Rivas

Mascot – Bluejays

Nebraska Homegrown Players On Roster – 

• #12 Emma Paule – So – Omaha Marian – Mid
• #20 Skylar Heinrich – So – Elkhorn High – F

2/32 = 6%

Known Recruiting Class

• Hitami Yamaue – Tyler JC / Okayama, Japan – D
• Greta Betz – Cincinnati, OH – M
• Taylor Daffer – Gretna High School – D
• Bailey Laplante – De Soto, KS – GK
• Hailey Rothwell – Madison, WI – F
• Kennedy Ruark – Overland Park, KS – D

NEST Analysis – Nebraska has three Division I women’s soccer programs; all of which seem to be at the same point in terms of recent records and trajectory. Creighton has a big opportunity to establish itself as the flagship women’s soccer program for the state. Located in the state’s most populous and talent rich city, Creighton must take the next step and begin to compete in the Big East. All of the pieces are in place; it is time to put the puzzle together. 2021 Signee Taylor Daffer is an excellent in-state addition, on what seems to be a more national and international roster. In the next few years, a dominant women’s program needs to arise from Nebraska. Will Creighton fill that role?

Thank you for reading and being a part of our new community. A like, share, comment or recommendation of content would be greatly appreciated. In order to financially support our efforts, sponsorship/partnership opportunities have become available. Sponsors will receive vast exposure to the Nebraska soccer community through multiple different media avenues. The sponsorship process is easy and reasonable.

Contact us on our website or email @ nebraskasoccertalk@gmail.com.

Connect with us on Twitter, Instagram, or listen to our podcast on Spotify.

Chace Hutchison

Although it is rarely covered by the traditional media giants of the state, Nebraska is filled with exciting and competitive collegiate soccer programs. In fact, Nebraska contains a grand total of THIRTY programs for men and women. Those thirty programs compete across a wide variety of collegiate levels including Division I, Division II, Division III, NAIA, and junior college.

Nebraska Soccer Talk is here to examine, cover, and promote all of these teams. This task has been made a bit more challenging by the circumstances created by COVID-19. Depending on the playing level, conference, and school, the season outlook changes drastically. Roster information can also be in flux, depending on the school. Despite these challenges, our staff attempted to put together the best program summaries possible. To our knowledge, we are the only outlet providing such coverage to our state’s college programs.

Just like Nebraska Soccer Talk, this column will grow and become more in depth as the years pass. In the future, we hope to provide sideline coverage of games, facility features, coach and player interviews. We look forward to the journey ahead. Thank you for being a part of our community. The sport of soccer is growing in Nebraska, and we intend to see it thrive.

Disclaimer – In the making of this article, team websites and other research sources were utilized. Although we attempt to avoid them whenever possible, errors can occur. Please contact us directly with corrections.

Concordia University

Head Coach – Jason Weides

2020 will be Coach Weides 13th season as head coach of the bulldogs program. Throughout his years in charge, his squad has compiled a 117-89-24 record and consistently achieved program firsts. Overall, this is a great coaching story as Coach Weides worked his way through the high school ranks and served as an assistant coach before getting a chance to lead a program. Since that time, Concordia has been a consistent winner in a tough GPAC field. With Weides at the helm, Concordia will have a stable and successful program for many years to come.

Mascot – Bulldogs

Nebraska Homegrown Players On Roster – 

• #9 Isaiah Shaddick – Soph – Lincoln – F
• #19 Braden Spath – Fr – Kearney – Mid
• #27 Caleb Goldsmith – Jr – Lincoln – Mid
• #28 Moises Jacobo – Soph – Grand Island – Mid
• #29 Daniel Campbell – Jr – Bellevue – F
• #30 Matt Schultz – Soph – Lincoln – Mid

6/28 = 21%

Known Recruiting Class – Carter Hinman (Gretna High School)

NEST Analysis – Concordia is a solid Nebraska program that represents the state very well on the collegiate stage. Concordia has elevated itself to a contender status in the GPAC. The roster is filled with international talent from Nebraska to England to Columbia. With that type of variety, some teams would fail to develop proper on-field chemistry. However, that is simply not the case with these bulldogs, which is a testament to the strong team culture. We can’t wait to cover this program for years to come.

Thank you for reading and being a part of our new community. A like, share, comment or recommendation of content would be greatly appreciated. In order to financially support our efforts, sponsorship/partnership opportunities have become available. Sponsors will receive vast exposure to the Nebraska soccer community through multiple different media avenues. The sponsorship process is easy and reasonable.

Contact us on our website or email @ nebraskasoccertalk@gmail.com.

Connect with us on Twitter, Instagram, or listen to our podcast on Spotify.

Chace Hutchison

Although it is rarely covered by the traditional media giants of the state, Nebraska is filled with exciting and competitive collegiate soccer programs. In fact, Nebraska contains a grand total of THIRTY programs for men and women. Those thirty programs compete across a wide variety of collegiate levels including Division I, Division II, Division III, NAIA, and junior college.

Nebraska Soccer Talk is here to examine, cover, and promote all of these teams. This task has been made a bit more challenging by the circumstances created by COVID-19. Depending on the playing level, conference, and school, the season outlook changes drastically. Roster information can also be in flux, depending on the school. Despite these challenges, our staff attempted to put together the best program summaries possible. To our knowledge, we are the only outlet providing such coverage to our state’s college programs.

Just like Nebraska Soccer Talk, this column will grow and become more in depth as the years pass. In the future, we hope to provide sideline coverage of games, facility features, coach and player interviews. We look forward to the journey ahead. Thank you for being a part of our community. The sport of soccer is growing in Nebraska, and we intend to see it thrive.

Disclaimer – In the making of this article, team websites and other research sources were utilized. Although we attempt to avoid them whenever possible, errors can occur. Please contact us directly with corrections.

Midland University

Head Coach – Raphael Martinez (6th season)

Mascot – Warriors

Nebraska Homegrown Players On Roster – 

• #8 Shahin Tavarov – Jr – Omaha – M
• #26 Dalton Stodieck – Fr – York HS – F
• #39 Merrick Andrews – Fr – Gretna HS – F
• #46 Emmanuel Kate – Jr – Omaha – F

NEST Analysis – A consistent winner, the Warriors men’s program has finished with a winning record every year since 2011. They are routinely competitive during regular and postseason GPAC play. The 2020-2021 squad is filled with international talent from all across the globe. Under the leadership of Coach Martinez, this Midland program will always be in the discussion for GPAC titles. In recent program news, Midland University has had on-going discussions with the Fremont Soccer Club in regards to their playing fields. Hopefully that can be resolved in the near future, and a true home for this team can be established with a mutually beneficial agreement between the two parties.

Thank you for reading and being a part of our new community. A like, share, comment or recommendation of content would be greatly appreciated. In order to financially support our efforts, sponsorship/partnership opportunities have become available. Sponsors will receive vast exposure to the Nebraska soccer community through multiple different media avenues. The sponsorship process is easy and reasonable.

Contact us on our website or email @ nebraskasoccertalk@gmail.com.

Connect with us on Twitter, Instagram, or listen to our podcast on Spotify.

Chace Hutchison

Although it is rarely covered by the traditional media giants of the state, Nebraska is filled with exciting and competitive collegiate soccer programs. In fact, Nebraska contains a grand total of THIRTY programs for men and women. Those thirty programs compete across a wide variety of collegiate levels including Division I, Division II, Division III, NAIA, and junior college.

Nebraska Soccer Talk is here to examine, cover, and promote all of these teams. This task has been made a bit more challenging by the circumstances created by COVID-19. Depending on the playing level, conference, and school, the season outlook changes drastically. Roster information can also be in flux, depending on the school. Despite these challenges, our staff attempted to put together the best program summaries possible. To our knowledge, we are the only outlet providing such coverage to our state’s college programs.

Just like Nebraska Soccer Talk, this column will grow and become more in depth as the years pass. In the future, we hope to provide sideline coverage of games, facility features, coach and player interviews. We look forward to the journey ahead. Thank you for being a part of our community. The sport of soccer is growing in Nebraska, and we intend to see it thrive.

Disclaimer – In the making of this article, team websites and other research sources were utilized. Although we attempt to avoid them whenever possible, errors can occur. Please contact us directly with corrections.

University of Nebraska-Omaha

Head Coach – Tim Walters

Coach Walters arrived as the head of the program in 2016. Since that time, results have not fulfilled the expectations of a program with UNO’s standing. 2018’s advancement in the Summit league tournament provided a glimmer of progress and optimism for the future. However, it really needed to be followed up with a strong campaign in 2019, and that failed to materialize. Coach Walters seems to be a good candidate for this job, but it does need to be demonstrated by on-field success. From all accounts Coach Walters has been a dedicated and passionate soccer advocate as he honed his skills across many different levels of the game. The next few seasons will be crucial for the direction of his program.

Assistant Coaches – Kelly Farrell, Denzel Woods, Erin Bunker

Mascot – Mavericks

Nebraska Homegrown Players On Roster – 

• #0 Madeline Smith – So – Millard South – GK
• #2 Carly Cameron – RFR – Elkhorn High – GK
• #3 Maria Eubanks – RFR – Lincoln East – D
• #5 Grace Ostergaard – Fr – Millard West – M
• #6 Gracie Parsons – Fr – Omaha Burke – M
• #7 Grace Crockett – Fr – Omaha Marian – D
• #12 Grace Thede – RFr – Omaha Marian – D
• #13 Brylie Meyer – Jr – Lincoln Pius X – D
• #14 Laurin Mertz – So – Omaha Skutt – F
• #17 Mali Seran – RSo – Omaha Skutt – M
• #19 Regan Zimmers RFr – Millard North – M
• #20 Bailey Cascio – Sr – MIllard North – F
• #23 Avery Ripple – RSo – Papillion-LaVista South – D
• #25 Alyssa Hansen – Fr – Lincoln Pius X – M
• #26 Leah Kirchner – Jr – Millard West – D

15/27 = 55%

Known Recruiting Class – 

• Sena Ahovissi – Millard North – D
• Cece Behrens – Omaha Skutt – Mid
• Reagan Bourgeois – Houston, TX – M
• Mia Reedtz Olesen – Denmark – GK
• Mo Gohr – Kansas State / Elkhorn South – F
• Kayla Futakami – Northglenn, CO – F

NEST Analysis – Since its jump to division one athletics in 2011, UNO’s women’s soccer side has struggled to find consistent success. Since 2011, this program has not recorded a winning record. Simply put, that is very surprising given its location, facilities, and local recruiting pool. There have been moments of hope during that time with 2018 being the highlighted year of the Maverick program under Coach Walters. The state and the sport of soccer within our borders need more of that success. Women’s soccer at UNO must elevate itself to being a brand synonymous with winning, advocacy, and an attractive style of play. 

An uptick in local talent acquisition also serves as a point of optimism. Approximately half of the current roster is made up of homegrown Nebraskans, most of which are in their first or second year. Hopefully those players can serve as a launching point for Coach Walter’s program. On a lighter note, if you are a female soccer player that is located in the metro area and named Grace you have a very high chance of playing on this squad.

Thank you for reading and being a part of our new community. A like, share, comment or recommendation of content would be greatly appreciated. In order to financially support our efforts, sponsorship/partnership opportunities have become available. Sponsors will receive vast exposure to the Nebraska soccer community through multiple different media avenues. The sponsorship process is easy and reasonable.

Contact us on our website or email @ nebraskasoccertalk@gmail.com.

Connect with us on Twitter, Instagram, or listen to our podcast on Spotify.

Chace Hutchison

Although it is rarely covered by the traditional media giants of the state, Nebraska is filled with exciting and competitive collegiate soccer programs. In fact, Nebraska contains a grand total of THIRTY programs for men and women. Those thirty programs compete across a wide variety of collegiate levels including Division I, Division II, Division III, NAIA, and junior college. 

Nebraska Soccer Talk is here to examine, cover, and promote all of these teams. This task has been made a bit more challenging by the circumstances created by COVID-19. Depending on the playing level, conference, and school, the season outlook changes drastically. Roster information can also be in flux, depending on the school. Despite these challenges, our staff attempted to put together the best program summaries possible. To our knowledge, we are the only outlet providing such coverage to our state’s college programs. 

Just like Nebraska Soccer Talk, this column will grow and become more in depth as the years pass. In the future, we hope to provide sideline coverage of games, facility features, coach and player interviews. We look forward to the journey ahead. Thank you for being a part of our community. The sport of soccer is growing in Nebraska, we intend to see it thrive. 

Disclaimer – In the making of this article, team websites and other research sources were utilized. Although we attempt to avoid them whenever possible, errors can occur. Please contact us directly with corrections.

University of Nebraska-Omaha Men’s Soccer

Head Coach – Bob Warming

Warming has a great coaching history in the Big Ten. He is a big-time coach, and UNO is fortunate to have him. Warming took over in 2018, and we can see if his previous success eventually applies to UNO. As of right now, the roster has been overturned with many transfers in the last year, and the honeymoon period is coming to an end. UNO is one of two D1 men’s programs in the state, which automatically makes it a flagship. In order for soccer to grow in Nebraska, the state has to have success at the highest of levels.

Assistant Coaches – Grant Warming, Ugo Tritz

The assistant coaches are relatively inexperienced at this level and are assisted by a close relationship with the head man. Both were successful college players, hopefully it translates into the coaching sphere. Kudos to Warming for giving young coaches a chance – time to prove him right.

Mascot – Mavericks

Nebraska Homegrown Players On Roster – 

• #2 Stevie Siy – Omaha Central – Sr – D
• #6 Ed Gordon – Creighton Prep – Sr – Mid
• #15 Zion Osorio – Lincoln East – So – D
• #16 Mauricio Felix-Alvarado – Omaha South – Fr. – D
• #19 Michael Monico – Gross Catholic – So – Mid
• #24 Gonzalo Ledesma – South Sioux City – R-Sr – D
• #26 Youde (Junior) Noutoua – Creighton Prep – Jr – Mid
• #29 Jonathan Lopez – Millard South – Sr. – Mid

8/24 = 33%

NEST Analysis – There are ten transfers now on the roster – eight of those are from a JuCo or lower level squad. That is a major shake up in a short amount of time for Warming’s squad. Hopefully they are correct in their evaluation process. This is a team that made the NCAA tournament in 2017 which is right where this program should be. That is the expectation, but we will see if year three is when everything clicks.

Thank you for reading and being a part of our new community. A like, share, or recommendation of content would be greatly appreciated. In order to financially support our efforts, sponsorship/partnership opportunities have become available. Sponsors will receive vast exposure to the Nebraska soccer community through multiple different media avenues. The sponsorship process is easy and reasonable.

Contact us on our website or email @ nebraskasoccertalk@gmail.com.

Connect with us on Twitter or listen to our podcast on Spotify.

Chace Hutchison