PAPILLION, Neb. (June 21, 2023) – An even match on the scoresheet resulted in another point for Union Omaha as the Owls came away with a 1-1 draw against One Knoxville SC.
The Owls came into the night well-rested following an off week but would have two huge tests with future playoff implications on the line. Omaha brought back a road point with a 1-1 draw against Greenville Triumph, while League One newcomers One Knoxville came in riding high after taking down then-first place Charlotte Independence 2-0 over the weekend.
The opening half of the match was scoreless but didn’t come without some exciting chances for the Owls’ offense.
Working the right wing with some flashy footwork to start the game, Joe Brito took in a cross from Dion Acoff and delivered a hard strike on-target in the 11th minute. Steevan Dos Santos nearly tapped in the rebound for the early lead.
Acoff got a solid look of his own in the 23rd minute, ripping a shot off that just skidded over top of goal.
The Owls wasted no time out of the half jumping on top, with Noe Meza converting a beautiful free kick opportunity for the opening score. The goal marked the 7th goal of the season, putting the 25-year-old in sole possession of second place in the League One Golden Boot race.
The offense went right back to work with another dangerous chance in the 50th minute, Luis Gil booting a corner kick in the box that found the head of Luca Mastrantonio, the latter’s shot just wide of goal.
Goalkeeper Rashid Nuhu denied a dangerous point-blank save in the 57th minute to keep the Owls’ lead intact. Lewis provided a save of his own in the 65th minute, with Dos Santos nearly doubling the advantage, but his shot wasn’t enough to make it past the opposing goalkeeper.
Knoxville received some life in the opening minutes of stoppage time, being rewarded with a penalty kick in the closing minutes of the match. Ilija Ilic slotted the goal in to tie the match and that was all that would play from Werner Park.
“I think we controlled the game for most of it,” Union Omaha Head Coach Dominic Casciato said. “Especially on the scoring, I thought we looked pretty comfortable in causing problems.”
“I’m just trying to pay attention to getting back on the right track in terms of getting wins,” Meza said. “I’m really happy to keep scoring, but more importantly, I just want to do what I can to pick up the win.”
“Obviously frustrated, frustrated with the results,” JP Scearce said. “We started out pretty good. We’re dominating first half, dominating the second half as well. Second half, we dropped off a little bit, which is natural because we’re holding on to a lead and guys are cramping up, getting subbed off, so we’re on the defensive end a lot but just frustrated to give it up like that at the end.”
Los Búhos will get right back to action Saturday, May 24, taking on USL League One defending champions South Georgia Tormenta FC for Pride Celebration Night. The match will be followed by the first leg of the Unified Soccer Series against Forward Madison FC.
“Really disappointing for us and a tough one to take, but our luck is going to turn soon,” Casciato said. “The guys are doing some great stuff. Defensively looked really solid tonight and, you know, some good football going the other way as well, so the luck’s going to turn. Guys just have to keep believing and keep pushing forward and great to be back at Werner again on Saturday night.”
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.