March 30, 2023 – United Soccer League One (USL1) – Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC News Release
WINDSOR, Colo. – Having picked up their first point of the season in Chattanooga, Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC will look for their first win of the season against defending USL League One champions South Georgia Tormenta FC Saturday at 5:30 p.m. Mountain time. This will be Hailstorm FC’s first game at Optim Sports Medicine Field, which opened in October 2022.
Tormenta are one of three teams in the league that played in each of the first two weeks of the season, picking up a 1-0 win over North Carolina FC in their opener followed by a 3-1 defeat to Charlotte Independence that also saw defender Preston Kilwein sent off in the 52nd minute.
Returning to South Georgia are three key members of their 2022 championship side in head coach Ian Cameron and second-team all-USL League One players Jake Dengler and Kazaiah Sterling.
“Tormenta have a core group of players from last year, same coach, brand new stadium, which I’m sure will be packed,” Hailstorm FC head coach Éamon Zayed said.
Sterling, Tormenta’s leading scorer last season, has missed each of his team’s first two games this season and his status for Saturday is unclear. Even without Sterling, Tormenta do not lack for options in attack, as forward Mukwelle Akale has scored both of Tormenta’s goals this season, including a curling, 25-yard free kick against Charlotte that landed on SportsCenter’s Top 10 Plays.
“They’re a very attacking team,” Hailstorm FC captain Rob Cornwall said. “One of the best forwards in the league and pretty good wingers. It’ll be a tough test for our defense.”
Akale has been named in the USL League One Team of the Week in each of the first two weeks of 2023. In Week Two he was joined in the Team of the Week by Hailstorm FC defenders Arthur Rogers and Brecc Evans.
Rogers picked up where he left off last season, creating five chances in Hailstorm FC’s 0-0 draw at Chattanooga. Evans contributed to the attack as well with four shots, three on target. Both players also were part of keeping last season’s runners up off the board in the season opener for both clubs.
The Hailstorm FC defense was anchored by goalkeeper Lalo Delgado, who made four saves en route to a clean sheet in his debut for the club.
“Defensively we did the job and we’re going to need to do the job defensively again against Tormenta,” Zayed said. “I’m looking to see who’s going to step up and score the goals.”
Northern Colorado…