PAPILLION, Neb. – Union Omaha waited two seasons to play its first-ever postseason match, but it didn’t have to wait long for its first postseason goal.
Omaha forward Evan Conway scored 122 seconds into the match, scoring in the third minute and putting his team on the path to a 6-1 victory over FC Tucson at Werner Park in Saturday night’s USL League One Semifinal, presented by TwinSpires. Omaha will host next weekend’s USL League One Final.
Union Omaha got off to a hot start, with Devin Boyce’s shot caroming off the post barely two minutes after kickoff. The rebound bounced directly to Conway for a quick finish before anyone from Tucson could react.
Conway doubled the Owls’ lead in the 31st minute in a complex sequence that saw Omaha score and Tucson’s Maxi Schenfeld get sent off with a straight red card while Omaha celebrated. Schenfeld had been cautioned just two minutes earlier but was dismissed for violent conduct during an argument.
From there, with the hosts up 2-0 and the visitors down a man, Omaha’s victory was all but assured. Union scored four goals in the second half to ease to a 6-1 rout. Union Omaha tallied 16 shots on target in a dominant showing.
Damia Viader and Boyce scored in the 49th and 54th minutes, respectively to build a 4-0 lead early in the second half.
Charlie Dennis pulled a goal back to make it 4-1 in the 63rd minute, but it wasn’t enough to put the result in doubt.
Goals from Austin Panchot in the 70th minute and Emir Alihodzic in the 83rd minute completed the scoreline and ensured Omaha will play for a trophy next weekend.
USLLeagueOne.com Player of the Match
Evan Conway, Union Omaha – Conway scored the first two goals of the match, putting Omaha in full control from the third minute on. He put all four of his shots on target and also created a chance.
Goal Summary
OMA (3’) – Conway
OMA (31’) – Conway, assisted by Searce
OMA (49’) – Viader
OMA (54’) – Boyce
TUC (63’) – Dennis
OMA (70’) – Panchot, assisted by Alihodzic
OMA (83’) – Alihodzic