FRESNO, Calif. — Despite a slow start in their first match after winning the USL Jägermeister Cup, Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC bounced back after halftime and took home all three points with a 1-0 victory over Central Valley Fuego FC.
“Three points is three points, it feels good,” Hailstorm head coach Éamon Zayed said.
Forward Ethan Hoard scored the lone goal of the match, with the 6-foot-5 striker heading home from a Chelo Martinez corner in the 53rd minute. It was his 14th goal in all competitions this season.
“I just got away from the defender and jumped early,” Hoard said. “Glad to have a good overall performance coming off of the Cup win and keep it rolling.”
Hailstorm had a slow start to the match, being out-shot by Fuego by a 9-3 margin and failing to put a shot on target before the break.
Things changed after the break with the introduction of forward Real Gill, who in 45 minutes of action won four duels, took three shots, drew a pair of fouls, and created a chance.
More than individual stats, Gill helped Hailstorm find their attacking verve in the second half, as they took 16 shots after the break, putting five of them on target.
“Real was obviously dangerous when he came on, but I thought the second half was better for everybody, Noah, Ethan with the goal, Danny, Chelo, they all came into it,” Zayed said.
It was not just the attack for Hailstorm that helped them to the win, goalkeeper Lalo Delgado earned his second-straight clean sheet in USL League One play, making a season high eight saves in the win.
“It’s good that we’re getting back to that standard as we get ready for a playoff run,” Delgado said.
Hailstorm will be back in action at 7 p.m. Saturday night when they welcome South Georgia Tormenta FC to 4Rivers Equipment Stadium.
Hailstorm Defeat Fuego, take Ice & Fire Cup
