May 11, 2024 – United Soccer League One (USL1)
Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC News Release
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — For the first time in club history, Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC tallied five goals in a match, taking home a 5-1 win over One Knoxville SC in the USL Jägermeister Cup.
The win moves Hailstorm to the top of the West Group standings with four points in two matches in the USL Jägermeister Cup. They also lead the cup goals scored standings with seven.
“I definitely saw the results coming,” Hailstorm FC head coach Éamon Zayed said. “But this is the biggest winning margin in club history. Obviously it’s fantastic and shows what this group is capable of.”
It took just over two minutes for Hailstorm to take the lead when Ethan Hoard latched onto an errant Knoxville pass and had his shot saved by keeper Sean Lewis, but Chelo Martinez was there for the rebound and his first USL Jägermeister Cup goal.
From there, the first half became the Bruno Rendon show, as he scored a brace in just 11 minutes of action.
Rendon’s first goal came on a header from a Haruki Yamazaki cross in the 22nd minute, doubling the Hailstorm lead. He then added a third for Northern Colorado, getting on the end of a Martinez through ball from Martinez and making it 3-0 in the 32nd minute.
“I’m just trying my best to help the team, but I’m really enjoying playing further forward,” Rendon said.
Hoard then added a goal to his earlier assist in the 42nd minute, equalling Hailstorm’s highest-scoring half in club history with four goals before the break.
Knoxville did get a goal back in the 36th minute via Kempes Tekiela, making it 4-1 at halftime.
Hailstorm kept the foot on the gas in the second half, with Yamazaki scoring a curler from outside the box in the 63rd minute for his first goal for the club.
“I’m happy to be scoring, especially in a win. That’s the most important thing. I’m just so happy and grateful,” Yamazaki said.
From that point, Hailstorm were able to see out a comfortable win.
“It’s not about individuals tonight,” Zayed said. “It’s about the whole group, the whole team. Everybody pulling together, and once we come together you’ll see more results like that.”
Hailstorm now have two weeks off before returning to the pitch in USL Jägermeister Cup action and their home opener against Charlotte Independence on May 25. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. Mountain time at 4Rivers Equipment Stadium.
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