USL1 Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC

Hailstorm Open USL League One Playoffs against Madison

October 19, 2023 - United Soccer League One (USL1)
Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC News Release


WINDSOR, Colo. - Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC will host their first-ever playoff match against Forward Madison FC this Saturday.

"I'm sure prior to kickoff it might be a little bit more emotional, but we're just approaching it like another game," Hailstorm FC head coach Éamon Zayed said.

In three meetings in the regular season, Hailstorm went 2-0-1, scoring four goals and conceding none. Two of the three matches have come within the last month, a 0-0 draw in Madison on September 20 and a 2-0 Hailstorm win on October 7 at Future Legends Field.

"I think playoffs is a different kettle of fish," Hailstorm captain Rob Cornwall said. "It's pretty much a cup game now, so any team can turn up."

Hailstorm do have experience with success in cup matches, winning three in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup over the last two seasons, all against clubs from a higher level, including a 1-0 win over MLS side Real Salt Lake in 2022.

"We have a great group of guys who have a never say die attitude and no matter what they're going to keep going until the end. You're going to need that in a knockout game," Zayed said.

USL League One Golden Boot winner Trevor Amann scored three times against Madison this season. The Hailstorm forward set a league record with 23 goals in the regular season and will be looking for his first playoff goal on Saturday.

In Amann's way will be Madison goalkeeper Bernd Schipmann, who was second in the league this season with 12 clean sheets, only behind Hailstorm keeper Lalo Delgado, who tied a league single-season record with 13.

Hailstorm and Madison are scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m. Mountain time Saturday at Future Legends Field. Tickets are available at hailstormfc.com.

Check out the Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC Statistics



United Soccer League One Stories from October 19, 2023


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