April 5, 2023 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC News Release
COLORADO SPIRNGS, CO – The Colorado Springs Switchbacks make a second-round exit against Northern Colorado as they fall 3-1 Wednesday night at Weidner Field.
The game started off slowly with both sides trading possession for the first twenty minutes of play, with Hailstorm having the edge in momentum. Northern Colorado would get the first quality chance off a set piece from the far side. Switchbacks keeper #30 Alec Smir was able to find the ball through the traffic and secure the save, as Hailstorm continued the pressure. The visitors would knock on the door again in the 27th minute on a tic-tac-toe passing effort, but Smir was up to the task again, keeping the Hailstorm off the board into the break.
The Switchbacks would bring on #12 Drew Skundrich, #9 Romario Williams, and #20 Patrick Seagrist to try and turn up the offensive pressure. The home teams offensive wheels would begin to turn as the second half progressed, but the first true scoring opportunity of the second frame would again go the way of NCO in the 69th minute as Alec Smir adjusted to deny a deflection at the far post to keep the game scoreless.
Colorado Springs would soon strike pay dirt first, with newly signed academy player #44 Marco Rios sending a pass to Drew Skundrich who would finish with a back heel flick inside the near post. However, the lead would not last for Colorado Springs, as Hailstorm’s #9 Trevor Amann would find the equalizer just six minutes later.
Knotted at a goal a piece, the match would take extra time to determine a victor, and the visitors would waste no time. Just four minutes into the added action, #17 Donald Benamna would move the Hailstorm ahead as he headed home a loft center ball from #11 Marky Hernandez. Hernandez wasn’t finished however, as he poked a ball past #4 Macauley King creating a partial breakaway. With Benamna to his right, Hernandez elected to take the shot himself, finishing over an outstretched Alec Smir to seal it for Northern Colorado.
The Switchbacks have no time to dwell on the loss as they are right back in action at home this Saturday, April 8th as the Pittsburgh Riverhounds are set to visit Weidner Field. Tickets to that match and all other matches for the 2023 season are available at www.switchbacksfc.com/schedule.
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