August 14, 2022 – United Soccer League One (USL1) – Union Omaha News Release
PAPILLION, Neb. – It was another crowd over 4,000 strong at Werner Park to commence Union Omaha’s three-match homestand this week, with 4,312 fans coming to watch the first of the trio. Sitting at 5th in the standings, the Owls had a strong chance to make some noise in the standings in front of their home fans.
Northern Colorado came into the night for its second match against Omaha in league play and the third overall. The last time out resulted in a 0-0 draw, but the Owls would be looking to recreate the dominating performance back when the teams met in the U.S. Open Cup Round of 32, when they soared to a 2-0 victory.
Omaha came out with another fiery start, finding its first opportunity in the 4th minute. Dion Acoff waited to win a second-ball battle with a defender and keeper and put a shot just right of net.
Newcomer Corey Hertzog made his presence felt in his Werner Park debut in the 12th minute. The USL Championship veteran delivered an excellent ball that dropped right in to Noe Meza, who drove home the perfect finish for his 5th league goal and Omaha’s earliest goal scored at home all season.
“It was great to have Noe finish that and Corey [had a] great pass, a great debut,” Union Omaha Head Coach Jay Mims said.
Rashid Nuhu made his first wild save of the night in the 25th minute, showing his strong hands to bat a shot into the crossbar and away, keeping the scoresheet clean. He had another just a minute later, sliding on a ball from Irvin Parra.
The same Owls’ connection that scored the first almost struck again in the 31st minute, with Hertzog feeding it to Meza off the corner. Meza almost made it a brace, but his strike sailed just over the top of goal.
The first yellow card of the match was issued later to Northern Colorado’s Danny Robles, followed by another on Jackson Dietrich. A hard-fought half came to a close soon after, with Omaha still up 1-0, a positive stat for the home side as the Owls have never lost when leading at the break.
The offense got another chance in the 66th minute off Joe Brito’s ever-dangerous set piece opportunities. Daltyn Knutson rose above the flock in the box to try and head it home but couldn’t knock it down and in.
Parra earned a third yellow card for the Hailstorm in the 75th minute with a hard foul on Alex Touche.
The Hailstorm found their equalizer in the 79th minute from their leading scorer in Parra, marking just the 5th goal the…