April 27, 2023 – United Soccer League One (USL1) – Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC News Release
WINDSOR, Colo – Coming off of a 3-1 loss against the Colorado Rapids, Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC returns to USL League One play Saturday against Union Omaha.
“I think everybody’s positive. Obviously, a tough game against the Rapids, but we showed our talent and our quality,” Hailstorm captain Rob Cornwall said. “We’re definitely confident going into Omaha.”
The Owls defense is anchored by 2022 USL League One Goalkeeper of the Year Rashid Nuhu, who kept nine clean sheets and had a 0.98 goals against average last season. Nuhu has kept a pair of clean sheets in the league this season, allowing three goals in four games.
“Look, Nuhu is a tough nut to crack,” Hailstorm head coach Eamon Zayed said. “He has been the best goalkeeper in the league for the last few years.”
The Ghanaian’s going to have some stiff competition for Goalkeeper of the Year honors this season from Hailstorm keeper Lalo Delgado, who has kept clean sheets in each of his first three USL League One matches.
“Nuhu can pull off great saves,” Zayed said, “but equally, the other night against the Rapids, you saw Lalo pull off some top one-v.-one saves too.”
This season, Omaha hired just the second head coach in their history, bringing in former El Paso Locomotive assistant Dominic Casciato to take the helm after the resignation of former coach Jay Mims.
Both Hailstorm FC and Omaha have spread around the scoring this season. Neither side has a player that has scored more than one league goal this season. Northern Colorado will be hoping to change that quickly with the addition of Mexican forward Brandon Rosas, who made his debut for the club in their last league game against Richmond.
“Brandon’s progressing quite well. He’s still learning his way, but he’s adapted to the guys in the locker room straight away. And they love him,” Zayed said. “Richmond was a tough first game for him to play because they were hard to break down. Brandon will play some part on Saturday, and I feel like he’s a goal scorer. He’s gonna score goals.”
The game against Omaha kicks off at 6 p.m. Mountain Time on Saturday and will be broadcast on ESPN+.
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