Northern Colorado scores first, but can’t hold on and loses 2-1.
CHARLOTTE, NC – With some new faces in their lineup, Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC tried to build on their matchday two performance in a trip to face Charlotte Independence.
The game got off to a quick start with both teams spending time in each other’s halves. But after only five minutes Jerry Desdunes was able to pick Irvin Parra with a pass into the box, and when Parra was upended the referee made no hesitation pointing to the spot. Parra then took the first penalty in club history, sending the keeper the wrong way and giving the team the early lead.
Charlotte was able to keep asking questions of the Hailstorm defense and found a way through in the 14th minute. A through ball led to an Independence forward cutting it back and picking out Miguel Ibarra who leveled the score.
The end-to-end contest continued with neither club spending too much time in its own half. Chances aplent, but no shots found the back of the net. As the half wore on play slowed down, both clubs were headed into the locker rooms to get reset for the second half.
In the second 45, much like the first, the Hailstorm jumped out early and got on the front foot attacking the Independence goal. Just after the hour mark the first substitute took the pitch with Danny Robles coming on for youngster Destan Norman, after Norman had come on for Robles in each of the first two matches this year.
A trio of substitutions followed this 10 minutes later with Zayed looking to freshen up the team and create a spark to find the late winner. Unfortunately, in stoppage time, a breakaway for the Independence left too many attackers flooding forward for goalkeeper Thomas Olsen to handle and Tresor Mbuyu scored to give Charlotte a 2-1 lead. Northern Colorado had made it 300 minutes into the season before finding themselves trailing to an opponent.
Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC will play its home matches in the 6,500-seat TicketSmarter Stadium at the Future Legends Complex, the premier destination for sports and events in Northern Colorado. Season ticket deposits are being taken now.
Opening in 2022, the 118-acre Future Legends Complex will feature two stadiums, multiple baseball diamonds and multi-purpose fields, an indoor sports arena, lodging, and retail; and will host guests for major sports tournaments, events, leagues, and more.