August 27, 2022 – United Soccer League One (USL1) – Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC News Release
GREENVILLE, S.C. – Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC (7W-9L-8D, 29 points) beat Greenville Triumph SC (11W-7L-5D, 38 points) 2-0 at Legacy Early College. A pair of Hailstorm goals in the second half take down the first-place Triumph.
Due to suspensions and injuries, Northern Colorado only took 16 players on the road. With a thin bench, it was an uphill battle for the Hailstorm.
The match was level after the first 45 minutes of play. Both sides had chances to grab the first goal in the game, but the defenses kept it nil-nil going into the break.
Northern Colorado keeper Johan Peñaranda saved a close-range shot shortly after play resumed. Greenville’s Peter Pearson got solid contact on a header near the six-yard box, but Peñaranda reached a glove onto the ball and deflected the shot away from goal.
Irvin Parra grabbed his 11th goal this season just before the hour mark. Wolfgang Prentice got to the end line and picked out a cross to the back post, where Parra was waiting to head it back across the goal, putting the Hailstorm in the lead. It was Prentice’s second assist in the last three games.
Jerry Desdunes doubled the lead in the 72nd minute. After running at the Triumph defense, Desdunes cut the ball onto his right foot and took a shot from outside the penalty box. There was nothing that keeper Paul Christensen could do to keep it out, and the Hailstorm were up 2-0.
Northern Colorado has now won seven of the eight matches this season where they have scored two or more goals. It was the first victory away from home since their 2-1 win back on May 18 over the Charlotte Independence.
The Hailstorm are back in action on September 3 when they play host to North Carolina FC. The match will kick off at 7 p.m. MDT at Severance High School in Severance, Colorado.
Match Quotes:
Assistant Coach Kevin Sawchak
On the match…
“The boys were great and were organized. They created the better chances and limited Greenville’s chances. Executed the game plan perfectly, one of our best performances of the season, especially on the road.”
Assistant Coach Kevin Sawchak
On the first victory since May 18…
“100 percent this is a turning point. With the execution, we’re moving in the right direction”
Goalkeeper Johan Penaranda
On his performance…
“I made two big saves for the team. Happy to get the three points on the road. But it’s more about the team I don’t talk about myself much.”