WINDSOR, Colo. — A penalty scored, a penalty saved, and a bicycle kick goal helped Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC pick up a 2-2 draw against Rapids 2 at Future Legends Complex on Saturday in their penultimate preseason tune up.
Goals from strikers Brandon Rosas and Irvin Parra helped Hailstorm FC overcome a pair of one-goal deficits on the night and take the draw. The result pushed Northern Colorado’s preseason record to 4-1-1.
“It’s given us probably our toughest test of preseason so far,” Hailstorm FC head coach Eamon Zayed said. “A test that we needed.”
The teams agreed to play 120 minutes on the night, which helped every Hailstorm FC player see game action.
Parra’s bicycle kick equalizer from a corner in extra time was the highlight of the night, as Hailstorm’s leading goal scorer in 2022 once again found him on the scoresheet in his first 2023 preseason appearance.
“These are the games that you can try things,” Parra said. “It’s not like I’ve never done it before.”
Arthur Rogers got Hailstorm’s first shot on target of the game on a free kick after a Rapids 2 player fouled Jackson Dietrich running with the ball through the midfield.
Rapids 2 opened the scoring in the 26th minute with a goal from Calvin Harris, who latched onto a through ball and beat Hailstorm goalkeeper Lalo Delgado one-on-one.
Hailstorm’s best chance of the first half came right before the halftime whistle, but Rapids 2 goalkeeper Abraham Rodriguez made a fine save on Nortei Nortey from point-blank range. Rapids 2 took their 1-0 lead into the break.
Rosas leveled the score for Hailstorm FC in the 53rd minute from the penalty spot after Donald Benamna was tripped in the box by Rapids 2 defender Michael Edwards.
It took only a few minutes for Rapids 2 to re-take the lead as Hailstorm FC defender Bruno Rendon cleared a cross into his own net for an own goal to give the visitors a 2-1 advantage.
Midway through the second half, Marky Hernández had a chance to tie it again but his shot from distance went just wide of the Rapids 2 goal.
Rosas nearly scored his second of the night in the 76th minute, but his shot from close range went over the bar.
It looked like Rapids 2 would take a 3-1 lead late in the second half but Delgado came up big, saving Oliver Larraz’s penalty to keep the deficit at 2-1 through 90 minutes.
“I was just glad I could do my job and help the team,” Delgado said.
Hailstorm FC conclude their preseason against CSU-Pueblo Friday at 3 p.m. at Future Legends Complex.
Hailstorm come from behind for preseason draw against Rapids 2
