It’s time for the first kickoff in Severance.
WINDSOR, Colo. – What better way to kickoff Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC’s time at Severance High School than hosting the Richmond Kickers? The Kickers come into Week 19 of the USL League One season in second place, while Northern Colorado are unbeaten in four of their last five matches and sitting just two two points out of the playoffs.
Akira Fitzgerald has been the definition of consistency for Richmond this season. Starting all 18 of the Kickers games this season, Fitzgerald has been a key to his club’s success. Half of the wins this season for Richmond have been clean sheets and Fitzgerald has come up with an average of 2.83 saves per match.
A familiar face will be on the pitch in Ethan Vanacore-Decker. After being traded last month from Northern Colorado, he has started both of the two possible matches he could play in for Richmond. Still without a goal in his new colors, the Kickers have continued to rely on Emiliano Terzaghi, the team leader with eight goals.
The Hailstorm family got a little bigger last week, when the Lukic family welcomed a baby girl into the world. Stefan Lukic made the trip to Madison over the weekend, and started against the Flamingos. The Serbian has been a consistent piece in the Northern Colorado side this season, having played in 19 of the 21 matches. He only has one goal on the season, but has been close to adding to that tally in recent weeks.
Northern Colorado has five of the next seven games at home, which will be a welcomed change of pace from the early months of the season. The side has picked up more than 1.5 points per match at home this season, losing in only two games in that time. This has made Colorado a tough place to visit and the Hailstorm look to take advantage on their quest to make the USL League One Playoffs.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. MDT at Severance High School in Severance, Colorado. Expect the temperature to be in the low-80s at kickoff with wind in the 10 mph range. The game, as with all USL League One games this season, will be broadcast on ESPN+.
The future home of Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC, 118-acre Future Legends Complex will feature 6,500-seat TicketSmarter Stadium, 2,500-seat Future Legends Field, 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.