For immediate release:
WINDSOR, Colo. – Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC have signed Zac Lubin and midfielder Jackson Dietrich to join the club. Lubin will serve as the new goalkeeping coach. The deal for Dietrich is pending league and federation approval.
“Jackson is a breath of fresh air, works hard. He’s a player I identified last year with Chattanooga unfortunately had a setback with an injury. But he’s fully fit, raring to go, and making up for lost time,” said head coach Éamon Zayed. “I think (Zac) will have a massive impact (at the club). He comes from a successful playing career. Zac is a born winner, and he’s going to bring that winning mentality to the keepers first and foremost, but to the group as a whole.”
Most recently Lubin played for Phoenix Rising FC in the USL Championship. In the 2019 season he finished the regular season with 13 clean sheets and a 76.3 save percentage, en route to winning the 2019 USL Championship and being named to the USL Championship All-League Second Team.
Prior to joining Phoenix, Lubin played in the United States for Tulsa Roughnecks and Swope Park Rangers in the USL Championship, and played in Sweden’s third division, with IFK Luleå and Ljungskile SK.
In college, Lubin played for NCAA Division II, Saint Martin’s College from 2007 to 2010. Lubin is still the record holder at the school for best goals against average, wins, saves, shutouts, games played as goalkeeper, and games started as goalkeeper.
“I grew up in Montana, I like to be in the mountains and nature. So as soon as I heard Northern Colorado was calling, I was very interested. Then I had a couple of conversations with Éamon, he’s a great guy, I love his style, I love his energy and what he brings to the team. So it really became a perfect fit,” said Lubin.
In 2021, Dietrich played for current Hailstorm assistant coach Kevin Sawchak, and alongside current Hailstorm player Marky Hernández with Chattanooga Red Wolves SC.
While playing at Wright State University, he played for USL League Two’s Dayton Dutch Lions. In his senior season at Wright State he was selected to the All-Horizon League Second Team, and helped his school make it into the NCAA Division 1 National Tournament for the first time in program history, where they upset the University of Notre Dame in the first round.
Originally from Bremen, Germany, Dietrich played in the Werder Bremen academy and FC Oberneuland academy in his youth career. Once in the U.S. he joined the Las Vegas Sports Academy, winning four state championships with them and being named 2014 Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Nevada.
“I was out for a long time now, I’m excited to get back to it. The guys welcomed me in with open arms, so I’m excited to be a part of it and help the team as much as I can,” said Dietrich.
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.