September 18, 2022 – United Soccer League One (USL1) – Union Omaha News Release
PAPILLION, Neb. – Union Omaha capitalized on a penalty kick for the second straight match but gave up a late one themselves to split points with Greenville Triumph SC Saturday night.
The Owls and the Triumph came into the night’s competition at Werner Park back-to-back in the standings, with the winner cementing themselves in second place. The League One heavyweights, the finalists the last two seasons, were both experiencing some uncharacteristic run of form, with the Owls’ finding themselves in a 2-match losing streak after a tough road contest at FC Tucson before falling behind late against the table-topping Richmond Kickers Wednesday night. Greenville came in having lost two of its last three, most recently to Charlotte Independence. Both sides came in looking for a statement win to claw back into the race for first place.
The first shot on target for the night came from Ryen Jiba in the 6th minute, twisting his body to put on a solid shot that was nabbed by Greenville goalkeeper Paul Christensen. Within the first ten minutes, Miles Fenton earned the first booking of the match with a yellow card after a takedown of Noe Meza.
A corner kick set up Corey Hertzog to put the Owls up in the 28th minute. The 32-year-old veteran spun around off a flick from Luis Gil and hit the shot off the crossbar. It was a strong first half yet again from the home side, that peppered the goal with 6 shots in the first half while controlling 51% of the possession.
“I think the positive is that you can come back after a bad result and a horrible way to lose a game and come out start the game unbelievable,” Union Omaha Head Coach Jay Mims said.
A pair of yellows bookended the end of the first half, as Noah Franke scored the Triumph’s second at the end, before JP Scearce opened up the second half with Omaha’s first.
In the 67th minute, Shaft Brewer Jr. put some shifty moves on a Greenville defender before turning and squaring his body to take a point-blank stab at goal which Christensen was able to punch away. Shortly following, Derek Waldeck went into the book with the Triumph’s third yellow card of the match.
The wheels of the Owls’ offense were still turning, eager to break the deadlock. Scearce hit a banger attempt which Christensen sent back, with the ball ultimately falling to Hertzog who had a dangerously close look but slipped it just wide of goal.
It was the 75th minute when Hertzog drew…