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USL1 Union Omaha

Owls Extend Win Streak With 2-1 Victory Over Kickers

September 9, 2023 - United Soccer League One (USL1)
Union Omaha News Release


PAPILLION, Neb. - Union Omaha evened the all-time series with Richmond Kickers thanks to a 2-1 victory at Werner Park Saturday.

Omaha came into the night soaring high after a huge victory Wednesday, taking down first-place North Carolina FC 4-3 to break the USL League One win streak record with seven consecutive victories. Saturday brought another opportunity to extend the streak against the defending League One regular season champions.

Opportunity for the opening goal struck in the 31st minute, as Shaft Brewer Jr. used his speed to push past a defender on the right wing and send the ball in to Joe Brito, whose shot popped just over goal. Brito looked ready to strike again with a curling effort on target in the 44th minute.

Despite the good looks, the teams went into halftime locked in a tight 0-0 defensive battle.

The set piece specialist Conor Doyle stepped up to take a corner kick for the Owls, delivering to Pedro Dolabella who slammed in the header to break the deadlock in the 58th minute for the second time in as many matches. The score was Dolabella's 4th goal of the year, while the club's all-time assist leader Doyle upped his season total to 7.

Working off a quick counterattack opportunity, Noe Meza fed the ball to Luis Gil who squared up from outside the box and slammed in the long-range strike to freeze the Richmond goalkeeper and put the Owls up 2-0 in the 82nd minute.

An unfortunate own goal in stoppage time brought the Kickers back within a single score, but the defense held on to grab the 2-1 victory to extend the squad's win streak to eight.

"Happy to score another goal and help our team to keep the streak going," Dolabella said. "We talked in the locker room that our streak was not going to end tonight, and we keep going for another week. We're one step closer to our goals, but we know we haven't achieved anything, so this week, we're going to work even harder to focus on Chattanooga next weekend."

"I'm just fortunate that we've been able to get wins," Gil said. "It's been a grind for us, but, you know, we keep putting in the work. So that's the most important part is just getting the win at the end of the day."

"Good win tonight," Union Omaha Head Coach Dominic Casciato said. "We're really pleased for the guys. I think first half, it took us a little while to get going, but in the second half, we started to play some good stuff and got awarded with two goals, so really pleased for the guys to win again."

The Owls, still one point out from the top of the table, will head back to the road next week to face Chattanooga Red Wolves SC Saturday, September 16 before returning home to Werner Park Saturday, September 23 to host Central Valley Fuego FC for Oktoberfest.

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