Noe Meza scores his sixth goal of the season
GREENVILLE, S.C. (June 10, 2023) – Union Omaha battled to a 1-1 draw against Greenville Triumph SC, the sides’ third straight draw in the series, thanks to an early goal Saturday night.
The Owls headed to Greenville hungry for a big three points on the road, looking to avenge Greenville’s come-from-behind 3-3 draw when the teams squared off just weeks ago at Werner Park.
Continuing the trend of scoring in the Greenville match-up after his brace in the first contest, Noe Meza provided the opener for the boys in lightning in just the 8th minute. Joe Brito sent in the first shot on target, leaving Meza all alone to capitalize on the rebound for his sixth goal of the season, putting him tied for second in the league’s Golden Boot race.
The Owls were able to intercept several passes in the Greenville midfield to create some enticing looks as the first half went on, but couldn’t find any extra insurance.
Greenville was able to equalize just before the half, when Leo Castro’s shot took a deflection and Lyam Mackinnon was able to sneak in the second attempt to bring the score even going into the break.
A quick throw-in to Steevan Dos Santos set Joe Brito up for another solid look in the 64th minute, but Greenville’s Jared Mazzola was able to handle the curler.
After standing staunch defensively on a Triumph set piece opportunity, Omaha turned on the counterattack, with Pedro Dolabella slinging the ball ahead to Dos Santos, who weaved around a few defenders to nearly put the Owls back up again with a shot that Mazzola stretched out to save in the 72nd minute.
Rashid Nuhu provided several clutch saves at the end of the match to keep the Owls in the hunt, first punching a close-range shot from Tyler Polak over the crossbar in the 76th minute. Noah Pilato then attempted to give the home side all three points at the finish, taking a booming shot from long range that Nuhu flew up to save and preserve the draw at the conclusion of the match.
“I’m glad to get on the scoresheet again,” Meza said. “I thought we started the game strong. There’s a number of areas we will improve on to get the results we want. We’ll use the upcoming weekend break to work on those aspects and make things right.”
“Positive performance on the road,” Union Omaha Head Coach Dominic Casciato said. “I think we came here and imposed our style on Greenville. It’s unfortunate to not win the game with some of the chances we had, but it’s a tough place to play, and we can leave here fairly content with a point, although we’d like to come away with all three.
The Owls have a week off before returning home for a double match week, first taking on League One newcomer One Knox SC on Wednesday, June 21 before hosting defending League One Champions South Georgia Tormenta FC on Saturday, June 24 for Pride Celebration Night.
“The guys fought hard and played well, so we’re pleased with them,” Casciato said. “They always give everything, and we’re looking forward to the next one against Knoxville at Werner Park.”
ABOUT UNION OMAHA
Union Omaha, the 2021 USL League One Champion, is the only professional soccer team in the state of Nebraska. USL League One is a United States Soccer Federation-sanctioned professional men’s soccer league that occupies the third tier of the American soccer landscape, below USL Championship (tier two) and Major League Soccer (tier one). Union Omaha plays its home matches at Werner Park in Sarpy County, also home to the Omaha Storm Chasers of Minor League Baseball. The team is led by General Manager Peter Marlette in the front office and by Head Coach Dominic Casciato on the field.
