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USL1 Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC

Hailstorm Take a Point Home from Madison

July 30, 2022 - United Soccer League One (USL1)
Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC News Release


MADISON, Wis. - It was a 4,759-strong record crowd at Breese Stevens Field, to see Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC and Forward Madison FC. Each side sat only three points apart from each other at kickoff in this tight race to get in the playoff picture.

Madison was quick to test Hailstorm goalkeeper Johan Peñaranda. Less than two minutes in, a free kick was put on target, but a straight forward punch away by Peñaranda.

The first shot on target for the Hailstorm was a moment created by Jerry Desdunes. Desdunes was able to take on and dribble past four defenders to the end of the penalty area. Once arriving at the area he laid the ball off for Irvin Parra who took the shot on target but it was just at keeper Raiko Arozarena.

But at the half hour mark, Northern Colorado broke down the Madison defense. The Flamingos hadn't conceded a goal since their trip to Colorado back on July 5. The 272-minute streak was snapped when Arthur Rogers floated a cross to the back post. Arozarena went to punch the ball away; however, he failed to connect and Parra was able to direct it on goal and put his side up. It was also the first goal that Arozarena had allowed in a Madison jersey this season.

"I saw (Arthur) wind up with his left foot, I know that's not his preferred foot. But I knew he was going to put a bit of power into it. I knew it was going to go back post and I read the play right, read his cross and the keeper misread it," said Parra.

Northern Colorado nearly struck again on the brink of halftime. The Hailstorm got numbers forward when there was a long through ball for Desdunes. Desdunes picked his head up to find Daniel Scally running forward, but the cross was snuffed out. Without the defender tracking back it surely would have been a two goal advantage for Northern Colorado at the break.

Just out of the break, Louisville City loanee Owen Damm launched a ball over the top for Scally who found space in behind the Madison back line. Scally brought it forward into a one-on-one with Arozarena, ending with the keeper blocking the shot with his legs.

Moments later Madison had a free kick deep in Hailstorm territory. A Flamingo was able to get a head on the end of the kick, with the shot going into the ground and bounced back up to head height of Peñaranda. The keeper punched the ball out at the last moment on the goalline to preserve the 1-0 lead.

In the 63rd minute, Forward Madison was able to level the scoring after a shot from distance. Rojay Smith was able to get the ball onto his right foot after driving forward, and he let it fly from the edge of the box and beat Peñaranda to the post.

The Hailstorm tried to find the late winner beyond the 90th minute. A long ball over the top was found by Lachlan McLean who put a shot on target but it was deflected by a defender. The deflection nearly beat Arozarena but it would be the save to keep it leveled.

It would end all square 1-1 with Northern Colorado picking up their second draw in a row, and third straight unbeaten.

"Another game on the road unbeaten, which is always a good thing. Thought the performance was really good in the first half, (we) didn't look in danger. Great goal from Irvin. They came at us but we had the chance to win the game, but we'll take the point," said head coach Éamon Zayed.

The Hailstorm get to move into their new home Tuesday, August 2 when they play host to Richmond Kickers at Severance High School. The club will get to play five of their next seven matches at home. All crucial matches down the home stretch of the season, leading to the USL League One Playoffs.

Check out the Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC Statistics



United Soccer League One Stories from July 30, 2022


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