Forward Madison win 2-1 in a disappointing loss for the Hailstorm.
FORT COLLINS, Colo. – Fresh off the move from Greeley to Fort Collins, Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC played host to Forward Madison FC at Canvas Stadium. Coming into the match both teams were separated by just a point in the standings, with each needing a win to jump up to third-place.
Marky Hernández was the first to have a chance at goal early on with a header that made keeper Phil Breno react and push the attempt wide. A few minutes later the game changed when what seemed like an ordinary cross turned into more.
Madison’s Andrew Wheeler-Omiunu got the ball out wide of the box and seemed to attempt a cross but instead of finding a head, the ball drifted, going over keeper Thomas Olsen, and found its way into the back of the net giving Forward Madison the lead.
A quarter of an hour later a free kick was won when Northern Colorado were denied a goal scoring opportunity just outside the penalty box. Irvin Parra stepped up to take the free kick, opting to shoot under the wall but Breno was wise to it and made the stop.
Shortly after, Parra helped construct a goal that was put away by Jerry Desdunes, his first goal since scoring the first in team history back in April. Parra had the ball out wide after a pass from Desdunes, after cutting back was able to find Desdunes making a run into the box that would tie up the match.
“Feels good to start scoring again, I’m happy scoring my first goal in the league. Hopefully there is more to come,” said Desdunes.
Just on the brink of halftime, Alann Torres was able to line up a shot at the top of the box and picked out a spot in the lower corner of the goal to regain the lead for Madison with his first goal of the season.
Despite a few great chances from free kicks in the second half for the Hailstorm, nothing came from them and the clock ticked on.
Madison pushed on for a late goal to put the game out of reach and almost found it in the 83rd minute. Olsen, who has made a number of Save of the Week contending goals this season, made another diving back to his right and kept it a one goal game and kept his team marching on for an equalizer.
In the dying moments of the match, Arthur Rogers put in a cross that pinballed around in the box before ending up as a free kick to Madison. It would be the last action in the match ending in Madison coming away with all three points, 2-1.
“I think that one hurt the most, along with the U.S. Open Cup. That was an opportunity, I’m disappointed,” said head coach Éamon Zayed on that match.
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.