April 20, 2024 – United Soccer League One (USL1)
Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC News Release
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – A dominant performance from Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC was almost all for nought until a 99th minute goal from forward Ethan Hoard snatched a 1-1 draw against Chattanooga Red Wolves SC.
Hoard used his 6’5″ height to out-leap everyone on a last-ditch corner and head midfielder Chelo Martinez’s delivery past Chattanooga goalkeeper T.J. Bush. It was Hoard’s first USL League One goal.
“I saw it coming straight at me and instinct kicked in and I scored,” Hoard said. “I was kind of shocked because it was a long time coming, but that’s what our team deserved.”
Hailstorm out-shot their hosts 20-6 in the match, and 11-4 in the second half, while holding 55 percent possession.
“I think it was our best performance of the year and the most we’ve ever dominated Chattanooga,” Hailstorm head coach Ăamon Zayed said.
The draw extended Hailstorm’s unbeaten run against Chattanooga to six, dating back to 2022.
After Hailstorm had the majority of the chances throughout the first half, Chattanooga got the opening goal against the run of play when forward Mayele Malango got in behind the Hailstorm defense and squared to forward Ropapa Mensah, who scored his fourth league goal of the season in the 40th minute to put the hosts 1-0 up at the half.
“On another night we could have scored multiple goals with the chances we had,” Zayed said.
The frustration continued in the second half as Hailstorm set up camp in their attacking half, sending shots at Bush from every angle, until Hoard finally provided the breakthrough deep into stoppage time.
“We showed a lot of character and determination to get a goal in the last minute,” Hailstorm defender Johnny Fenwick said. “We moved the ball well and created a lot of chances so we have a lot of positives to take from the game.
Hailstorm will now get some rest before opening their Jägermeister Cup campaign against Union Omaha on May 1.
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