Strikers Pace Owls to Win on Opening Night
April 24, 2021 - United Soccer League One (USL1)
Union Omaha News Release
*** Part 1.2 - ASCII
PAPILLION, Neb. - With the addition of forward Greg Hurst to a lineup that returned leading goal scorer Evan Conway from its debut season, Union Omaha has the potential to be dynamic offensively in 2021.
In their first game together, the strikers made a winner out of the Owls on opening night.
Union Omaha blanked South Georgia Tormenta FC 2-0 in their USL League One opener at Werner Park on Saturday thanks to a sensational first-half goal by Conway and dagger by Hurst in the 83rd minute.
Los Búhos (1-0) extended their unbeaten streak to six matches, dating back to last season, with the victory in their only home match before June 12. Union Omaha plays its next six games on the road.
"We told the guys, we don't have a home game for six weeks," coach Jay Mims said. "We've got to get three points. We have to play in front of the fans and enjoy it. If we don't, you're going to regret that."
Rashid Nuhu stopped four shots on goal by Tormenta, all of which came before the half. South Georgia's Luca Mayr-Fälten tested Nuhu in the second minute, but he finished with his seventh Union clean sheet.
Conway, who paced the Owls with six goals in 2020, put Union Omaha on top with an explosive run in the 22nd minute. Midfielder Conor Doyle sent a long ball over the Tormenta defense, allowing his striker to gain a step on the opposition. Streaking down the right side, Conway finished with his left foot.
"Awesome assist from Conor, who's got great vision," Conway said. "I kind of was just riding on the shoulder of the last defender, hoping he would dink it over because they were playing such a high line."
The forward got his shot off as a pair of defenders closed, putting the ball past goalkeeper Pablo Jara.
Union Omaha made the lead stand through a foul-filled second half that featured eight yellow cards.
Hurst then capitalized on a South Georgia turnover, putting the game away with his first goal for Los Búhos. He found the net eight times for Chattanooga in 2020, finishing second in the league in goals.
Mims said he prefers to play with two strikers in his lineup. Conway said the duo has great promise.
"We're excited, probably more excited than the fans are," he said. "We know we're dynamic up there, and we have a good relationship. We want to see each other score goals - and score goals ourselves."
Tormenta FC fell to 0-2 on the young season as it was held scoreless for the second consecutive weekend. South Georgia opened its campaign with a 1-0 loss to Fort Lauderdale CF last Saturday.
Union Omaha faces Fort Lauderdale in its next outing, opening its long road swing in Florida on May 8. The Owls won't play at Werner Park again until June 12, when they host New England Revolution II.
Tormenta FC (0-2) 0 0 - 0
Union Omaha (1-0) 1 1 - 2
Goals: OMA, Evan Conway (Conor Doyle) 21:47; OMA, Greg Hurst 82:45. Shots: TRM 14, OMA 12. Shots on goal: TRM 4, OMA 4. Saves: TRM, Pablo Jara 2. OMA, Rashid Nuhu 4. Fouls: TRM 17, OMA 23. Corner Kicks: TRM 1, OMA 2. A: 2,786.
Lineups
TRM: GK, Jara; D, Nus; D, Eckenrode; D, Thorn; D, O'Callaghan; M, Phelps; M, Obinwa (McCall 78'); M, Perez (Gomez 62'); F, Mayr-Fälten (Billhardt 62'); F, Liadi; F, Micaletto.
OMA: GK, Nuhu; D, Viader; D, Knutson; D, Osumanu; D, Sousa; M, Doyle; M, Firmino (Alihodžic 65'); M, Scearce; M, Boyce (Murphy 65'); F, Hurst (Nfor 90'+2) ; F, Conway (Crull 89').
Misconduct Summary
TRM: Eckerode 49' (Yellow Card), Phelps 57' (Yellow Card), Liadi 69' (Yellow Card), Billhardt 81' (Yellow Card). OMA: Boyce 53' (Yellow Card), Nuhu 68' (Yellow Card), Scearce 85' (Yellow Card), Hurst 88' (Yellow Card).
All game stats are unofficial.
United Soccer League One Stories from April 24, 2021
- Fort Lauderdale CF Falls 4-2 on the Road against North Texas SC - Fort Lauderdale CF
- North Texas SC Opens Its 2021 Season with 4-2 Comeback Win over Fort Lauderdale CF - North Texas SC
- Strikers Pace Owls to Win on Opening Night - Union Omaha
- Kickers Fall to Greenville at City Stadium - Richmond Kickers
- Tormenta FC Falls to Union Omaha - South Georgia Tormenta FC
- Greenville Triumph Grit out 1-0 Road Win to Open Season - Greenville Triumph SC
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