KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — A rapid-fire pair of second half goals from forwards Trevor Amann and Billy King proved to be enough for Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC, who earned a 2-1 win over One Knoxville SC in Tennessee on Saturday.
“Three points on the road anywhere, no matter how you get it, is great,” Hailstorm FC head coach Éamon Zayed said.
Knoxville (2-3-2, 8 pts) started on the front foot as Hailstorm (2-1-2, 8 pts) keeper Lalo Delgado was called into action early, tipping a Knoxville free kick over the bar in the fourth minute. Defender Rob Cornwall had Hailstorm’s first big chance of the game, heading an Arthur Rogers corner on target, but it was saved by Knoxville keeper Sean Lewis.
“I don’t know if it was from the rustiness of having that week off, maybe that contributed to the slow start,” Zayed said.
The first half was scoreless despite both teams having their chances. The sides combined for 13 shots before halftime, but just two were on target, both from Hailstorm defenders.
Amann broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute, heading into the top of the net from Rogers’ low cross from a corner taken short. It was Amann’s third goal in the league this season, and his fourth overall in 2023.
“The more goals you score the more confidence you get as a striker,” Amann said. “Finally finding my form and I have Arthur who gives me great crosses, easy finishes.”
Hailstorm FC doubled the lead just five minutes later as Billy King opened his Hailstorm account on the counter with Amann adding an assist to his earlier tally.
“Two good goals, and just happy to get the three points,” King said.
Knoxville pulled one back in the 66th minute when Jake Keegan converted a penalty given for a Brecc Evans handball.
With the score at 2-1, Northern Colorado managed the game well, limiting the Knoxville chances and seeing out the road win.
Hailstorm FC will be back in action Thursday night in Wisconsin against Forward Madison FC, kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. Mountain time.
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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.