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USL1 Union Omaha

Owls Hand Hailstorm First Loss of the Season

April 30, 2023 - United Soccer League One (USL1)
Union Omaha News Release


PAPILLION, Neb. - Omaha handed Northern Colorado its first loss of the season Saturday as the Owls soared in their first match back at Werner Park, defeating the Hailstorm 3-2.

Omaha came into the night searching for its first win at home and looking to snap the Hailstorm's streak of three consecutive clean sheets to open the season.

Luis Gil got things started in the 11th minute, ripping off the Owls' first on-target shot of the night off a low cross through the box from Joe Brito.

Rashid Nuhu came up with a big-time save early, denying a well-taken free kick attempt from outside the box in the 14th minute. The Owls got an advantage soon after when Northern Colorado's Stefan Lukic was sent off the pitch with his second yellow card in just the 16th minute.

Omaha jumped on top early, with Junior Palacios taking a stunner of a free kick past the wall of Hailstorm defenders from outside the penalty box, netting the first goal scored against Northern Colorado all season and his second score of the year.

The Owls used stoppage time to double their lead, with Pedro Dolabella heading it to Noe Meza, who sent a mesmerizing bicycle kick straight into the back of the net to give the Owls the 2-0 advantage leading into the half.

"I saw the ball go to Pedro's head and I knew he was going to win it so just getting in front of the defender and once it went to my chest, it's a skill I've done in training before," Meza said. "I hadn't done it in a game before and yeah it was an amazing feeling once I saw the ball in the back of the net."

"Noe does what Noe does," Union Omaha Head Coach Dominic Casciato said. "When he gets in and around the box, there's nobody better, so really pleased with him for that finish."

Meza secured his first brace of the season and the second of his career in the 57th minute, receiving a great feed from Gil to slide past Delgado for the second time to bring Omaha up 3-0.

"I think (the goal) was really important for me because I had a couple chances I was frustrated with before that and to put that one away I think lifted me and lifted the team to take that energy into the second half," Meza said.

While much of the first half was spent on the attack, the Owls' defense was tested more in the second half. Northern Colorado got one back in the 60th minute, with Trevor Amann capitalizing off a quick breakaway and one-on-one battle in goal. Amann recorded a brace of his own in the 80th minute, converting a corner kick from Arthur Rogers to reduce Omaha's lead to 3-2. In the end, los Buhos were able to hold onto the score to take all three points and send the visitors home empty-handed.

"We made it difficult for ourselves in the second half with the two goals we conceded so obviously pleased with the three points, please with the guys to go out there and work as hard as they did and play as well as they did, but we need to manage the end of the game a lot better," Casciato said.

Next up, the Owls will hit the road for two weeks, first traveling to Richmond Kickers on Friday, May 5. Omaha returns home to face Greenville Triumph SC on Wednesday, May 24 for World Soccer Night presented by Family Fare.

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