Best of 2014: Summit League Success

It was a special year for UNO in 2014 with countless events, achievements, special guest visits and national recognitions for students, faculty, staff and alumni.

The Mavericks continued their climb up the Summit, with two regular-season championship titles in baseball and men's soccer.

"UNO Baseball: Back-to-Back Summit League Regular Season Champs!"

May, 2014

For the second straight year, the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) baseball team are Summit League regular season champions.

The UNO Mavericks secured the 2014 championship with a dominating 7 to 1 win on Friday, May 16, at Western Illinois, who was tied for first with UNO going into a four-game series that began Thursday.

UNO’s clinching win was their third straight of the series, creating a large enough gap between themselves and the Western Illinois Leathernecks to secure the championship.

Scoring for UNO were Sophomore infielder Clayton Taylor, Senior outfielder Brett Bass, Senior infielder Caleb Palensky, freshman outfielder Danny Suiter, and Sophomore catcher Collin Leif.

Western Illinois got out to an early lead in the first inning but UNO responded in the second with a pair of singles. The game would remain 2-1 until a five-run 8th inning including a three-run double from Palensky.

Pitching for UNO were Junior Zach Williamsen and Senior Dylan Casey.

In 2013 baseball earned UNO’s first Division I regular season championship in any sport after defeating South Dakota State.

"Mavs Clinch Share of Summit League Championship"

November 2014

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.