The Northern Colorado Hailstorm season opener featured an aggressive attack, despite what the score would indicate.
Northern Colorado (0-0-1) and the Chattanooga Red Wolves (0-0-1) ended the first game with a 0-0 draw. That wasn't for a lack of effort on either side. Rather, the goalkeepers made excellent plays against the opposing offense.
Goalkeeper Lalo Delgado picked up four saves in the match. Additionally, Chattanooga's best opportunity of the night came in the 80th minute, but the shot was kicked high.
On the other end of the field, Carlos Avilez picked up five saves against Hailstorm attempts.
Returning forward Irvin Parra attempted to break the tie in the 90th minute, striking a shot right into the box but Avilez grabbed it in time. Parra led the team in 2022 with 11 goals and was one of the top scorers in USL League One.
Westminster native Trevor Amann took a shot on target right inside the box, but the forward's shot was, again, saved by Avilez.
Parra, Amann and defender Brecc Evans all tallied two shot attempts each. Both of Parra's were on goal.
The Hailstorm finished with a total of 16 shots, including three blocked by the Red Wolves. Several players also attempted to score, such as Destan Norman's wide kick, that didn't officially go down as shots.
Defender Arthur Rogers continued his dominance on the pitch, creating five chances for his teammates. He recorded 80 last season, setting a new league record.
Overall, Northern Colorado played with urgency and aggression, but Chattanooga stopped it from finding the net.
Both teams earned multiple yellow cards, with the Red Wolves picking up two and the Hailstorm receiving four. No players were ejected, but cards can turn into suspensions.
The two squads split the points and each received one.
Off the pitch, the trip to Tennessee was a homecoming of sorts for the Hailstorm. It features multiple players who came from the club, while coaches Éamon Zayed and Colin Falvey previously played and coached for the Red Wolves.
Northern Colorado plays its first seven matches on the road, with the next scheduled for 5:30 p.m. against reigning league champion South Georgia Tormenta.
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