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USL1 Union Omaha

Omaha Defense Keeps First-Place Greenville in Check

July 23, 2022 - United Soccer League One (USL1)
Union Omaha News Release


Greenville, S.C. - Union Omaha was able to grab another point and clean sheet Saturday night, finishing with a 0-0 draw against Greenville Triumph SC.

The Owls came into the night in 4th place, still with moves to be made with a few games in-hand and averaging 1.6 points per game, good for second place in the league.

Greenville, meanwhile, have already established itself as a legitimate title contender again, as the two-time league finalist sit ahead of the pack in first place. Crucial to the Triumph's success has been rookie Jacob Labovitz, who stands alone as the league's top scorer after recording a hat trick in the team's 3-1 win against Richmond last Saturday, setting up an intriguing match-up between Golden Boot leader and Golden Glove leader with Rashid Nuhu in goal.

A highly contested series, the away sides usually see more luck, going 3-1-1 coming into the night. It was a stat the Owls hoped to capitalize on, after dropping a 2-0 result last month in the team's only home loss of the season.

The first caution came in the 10th minute, with captain Conor Doyle challenging the referee after a foul, as a captain often does to stand up for his team. The free kick was awarded just outside of the penalty box and gave Rashid Nuhu a prime chance to be the hero yet again and likely his third straight Save of the Week nomination. The Ghanian goalkeeper leaped in the ai to bat away an otherwise perfectly placed set piece opportunity from Greenville, keeping the home side off the board.

The Owls got another quality look in the 27th minute, when Noe Meza found the team's shot leader Hugo Kametani for another but this one ended in the side netting.

Omaha had some work to do at the half with the offense failing to record a shot on-target, but the team would likely be happy with how the defense handled pressure and some intense moments from a tough attacking side.

Greenville opened the second half with a threatening chance, as the ever-dangerous Labovitz was able to race past Nuhu playing out of goal. Daltyn Knutson stepped with some skillful positioning to save and record the clearance.

The Triumph's first yellow card went to Don Smart in the 52nd minute with a high kick on Joe Brito. Tyler Polak would earn another in the 56th minute.

The Owls had a great opportunity to capitalize on the other end, starting with a signature long ball from Nuhu. Meza then flicked it on for Kemal Malcolm to take a strike, but the tight angle forced it just wide.

Nuhu recorded another save in the 67th minute, sliding right to capture a low, quick shot from Jesus Ibarra.

Omaha's newest Búho, Luis Gil, made his club debut in the 74th minute, taking over for Emir Alihodžić in the midfield to hopefully spark the offense with more chances.

A Brito free kick gave the Owls another solid look at goal in the 83rd minute, just narrowly missing the back post and rolling out for a goal kick. Nuhu prevented a late go-ahead goal just a few minutes later, sprawling out to save a close shot from Venton Evans. It was the capstone of another clutch night from Nuhu, who recorded a whopping 5 total saves on the night to keep the Owls in the match for a hard-fought draw.

The result keeps the Owls' away form up, pushing the unbeaten streak to six. They will try and snag another positive result in a hostile environment, visiting Forward Madison FC with a quick turnaround on Tuesday. After an action-packed week, the team returns home to Werner Park at 7 p.m. next Saturday, July 30, for another face-off against Chattanooga Red Wolves SC.

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