WINDSOR, Colo. – Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC announced today that they have exercised their option to keep goalkeeper Johan Peñaranda under contract for a second season.
Peñaranda had a stand-out season in his first playing professionally. After proving himself worthy of more than a backup role, he played in 18 of the team’s 30 League matches. He started 17 of those.
“Johan started 2022 as a second-choice goalkeeper and finished it as a first-choice goalkeeper,” Head Coach Eamon Zayed said.
In those 18 games, Peñaranda secured five clean sheets. That tally was the eighth most clean sheets in the League. He made 47 saves, good for ninth most in USL League One. He made 15 catches, 10 punches and 16 clearances.
In the second half of the season, he consistently found himself in the running for the League’s Golden Glove award, which is given to the goalkeeper with the best goals-against average. He also won the USL League One Fan’s Choice Save of the Year.
“I’m excited to see what year two holds for Johan,” Zayed said. “We’re looking to bring in another goalkeeper now that Tommy Olsen has left, and Johan will no doubt battle it out for that number one position.”
Peñaranda is up to the task of battling for that number one spot, but more than anything he is just excited to have the opportunity.
“I’m excited to be a part of the Hailstorm for a second season, especially after being a part of the squad during the inaugural year,” Peñaranda said. “I’m looking forward to helping this team compete for a title.”
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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, multi-purpose fields, an indoor sports arena, lodging, and retail; and will host guests for major sports leagues, tournaments, events and more.
More information is available at HailstormFC.com and FutureLegendsComplex.com.