PAPILLION, Neb. (Saturday, October 24, 2020) – In the biggest game in Union Omaha’s brief history, Evan Conway wrote his name into Owls history again. Tonight, in the 90th minute, Conway scored an excellent volley to give Omaha a 1-0 win over Fort Lauderdale CF. The Wisconsin native who scored Los Búhos first-ever competitive goal in their first competitive game, also scored the goal that sent Omaha to the USL League One Final match against Greenville Triumph SC next Friday.
Following the Richmond Kickers’ loss to the Chattanooga Red Wolves earlier in the evening, Omaha needed either a win or a tie and other favorable results to guarantee a spot in the Final match. Conway’s late strike made sure nothing was in doubt.
“There’s nothing better than scoring goals to make it into the playoffs and give us a chance,” Conway said.
Conway started the game with an excellent headed chance in the fourth minute, which just narrowly missed the goal and hit the woodwork instead. From there, Fort Lauderdale and Los Búhos would trade chances, with each side coming close to breaking the deadlock. Finally, in stoppage time, Conway latched onto a loose ball in the Fort Lauderdale penalty area and volleyed it into the back of the net to send Omaha into celebrations.
“Fans were into it, our guys were into it,” said Coach Mims. “We were gonna give everything that we have and if we didn’t score, we didn’t score – but we were gonna try everything we could. That’s how soccer works sometimes: you score a late goal and the fans go [home] happy. It was amazing.”
Next week, the Owls head back to South Carolina for the title game to take on Greenville Triumph SC on Friday, Oct. 30 at 7 p.m.
Key Moments
4’ Devin Boyce plays in JP Scearce, who flicks the ball towards an onrushing Evan Conway – the resulting header flies across goal and fires back off the post into the Fort Lauderdale goalkeeper’s hands. So close.
22’ Devin Boyce storms through the Fort Lauderdale CF defense and lays off a pass to Evan Conway, who glides a cross to Elvir Ibesivic – the striker connects with a back-heel but the ball goes wide.
24’ Boyce collects the ball on the left wing and loops in a pass to Ethan Vanacore-Decker, who manages to get his head on it but can’t quite get it on frame.
26’ Ferry of Fort Lauderdale CF dribbles past the Owl defense, cuts inside the Union Omaha penalty box and blasts a curler towards the goal that narrowly misses the top corner.
34’ Ricky Lopez-Espin of Fort Lauderdale takes a great touch in Los Búhos’ box and quickly turns to shoot, but gets his technique wrong as the shot goes flying over the bar.
51’ Ibišević dribbles into the box and gets a shot off, but it goes straight at the keeper.
52’ Sosa of Fort Lauderdale gets a step on a Union Omaha defender in the Owl’s penalty area and shoots, but it hits the side netting.
57’ Evan Conway tries his luck from distance, but his shot trickles wide of the Fort Lauderdale goal.
59’ Fort Lauderdale striker Ricky Lopez-Espin takes a touch in the box, lifts the ball over an Owls defender and sets up to take a 1-on-1 chance, but Dylan Knutson comes from behind to clear the ball out of play.
67’ Evan Conway flies past the Fort Lauderdale defense and is faced by only the opposing goalkeeper, but his shot skips just wide.
72’ Sosa of Fort Lauderdale rips a shot from the top of the box, which dips down dangerously and rattles the crossbar. Still scoreless.
90’ GOAL – CONWAY! The Owls’ leading scorer sends Union Omaha to the title game with a wonderful volley on a loose ball in the Fort Lauderdale penalty area. 1-0 to Los Búhos!
Game Notes
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It was Devin Boyce who put in the cross that would eventually find the feet of Conway for the game winner. Boyce was immense throughout the game and created a flurry of chances, leading the team with five key passes.
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Toby Otieno was a midfield machine for Los Búhos, instrumental in helping the team keep its fourth clean sheet. Otieno led the team in tackles (4), interceptions (6), passes (37) and regaining possession (9).
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Evan Conway, of course, stole the headlines with his game-winning goal. He also led the team in shots with five, keeping the Fort Lauderdale goalkeeper on his toes.
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JP Searce was a wall in front of the Omaha back four. The midfielder led the team in clearances (4) and duels (18), making life hard for the Fort Lauderdale attack.
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The Owls fly back to second place with 29 points – no more worrying about different point scenarios. Los Búhos have clinched a spot in the USL League One final.
Next Game
Union Omaha travels east to South Carolina to take on Greenville Triumph SC at Legacy Early College Field on Friday, Oct. 30. Kick-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Union Omaha vs. Fort Lauderdale CF
October 24, 2020
Werner Park (Omaha, NE)
Goals by Half 1 2 F
Union Omaha 0 0 1
Fort Lauderdale CF 0 0 0
Scoring Summary
OMA: Evan Conway 90’
Misconduct Summary:
FL: Modesto Mendez 6’ (Yellow Card)
FL: Ricky Lopez-Espin 44’ (Yellow Card)
OMA: Tobias Otieno 55’ (Yellow Card)
FL: Eduardo Sosa 90’ (Yellow Card)
Lineups
OMA: GK Nuhu, D Viader, D Knutson, D Osumanu, D Sousa © (Panchot 88’), M Scearce, M Vanacore-Decker (Molina 62’) , M Otieno (David 88’), M Boyce, F Ibišević (Nfor 62’) F Conway
TRM: GK Gagliardi, D Nodarse, D Mendez, D Rosales, D Guediri, M Ferri (Raggio 66’), M Saavedra, M Sosa, F Reyes (Bucknor 66’), Lopez-Espin, F Azcona.
All statistics contained in this box score are unofficial.
