WINDSOR, Colo. — Make it five wins from five for Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC in October.
Bruno Rendon’s 82nd minute goal lifted Hailstorm to a 1-0 win over Forward Madison FC and the second seed in the USL League One playoffs.
“It feels amazing, tied Ethan for goals in the league with six, 15 in all competitions, just thank God,” Rendon said.
The win in the regular season finale marked five straight wins to close the league season after lifting the USL Jägermeister Cup last month.
“I’m just delighted for the group,” Hailstorm head coach Éamon Zayed said. “We’ve won a trophy and finished the number two seed and now we’ll go all out to win the double.”
Hailstorm’s clean sheet was their fourth in the last five matches and their ninth in the league this season, tying them with Madison for the most in USL League One.
“I know sometimes the goalkeeper can get all the clean sheet credit, but everyone here can see the work ethic from everybody,” Hailstorm goalkeeper Lalo Delgado said.
The win sets up a matchup in the USL League One quarterfinals with Spokane Velocity FC, whom Hailstorm have beaten three times in their four meetings this season.
“They’re probably coming in with a nothing to lose mentality, which is dangerous,” Zayed said.
Hailstorm and Spokane will kick off the USL League One playoffs at 7 p.m. November 2 at 4Rivers Equipment Stadium.