CARY, NC. (August 26, 2023) — NorthCarolina FC fell to the Northern Colorado Hailstorm 1-2 at WakeMed Soccer Park. The Hailstorm ended North Carolina’s 10 match unbeaten streak, now making their record 13-6-5.
Northern Colorado capitalized on their opportunity to score halfway through the match when Noah Powder put a through ball to Golden Boot leader Trevor Amann. North Carolina had multiple chances, including a diving header from Garrett McLaughlin, that wouldn’t make it in the back of the net. The Hailstorm kept their 0-1 lead going into halftime.
North Carolina came out strong in the second half, only seven minutes in Jaden Servania launched in a cross for David Garcia to head into the net. Garcia scored his first professional goal. North Carolina have scored in their last 11 games in the USL League One, their longest scoring streak this season. The Hailstorm doubled their lead after Stefan Lukic put an overhead pass to Nortei Nortey to play past the keeper which would prove to be the game winner.
Quoting North Carolina FC
Head Coach John Bradford on the match with Northern Colorado and what’s to come:
“The guys continue to push, continue to fight, and create more chances. Unlucky not to get the second goal, but this is the way it goes. It’ll be something that we learn from and move on next Saturday back here.”
Defender David Garcia on the match and scoring his first professional goal:
“I feel like I’ve been looking for it the whole season. I guess today was the day. Obviously, I am happy because of the goal, but I would rather win. That’s the first thing for us, so a little bit upset about the outcome. I think we didn’t play our best today. I don’t think they were better than us. I just think we didn’t show up. So hopefully we come back stronger next time.”
Midfielder Jaden Servania on coming back from injury and his second assist in two matches:
” The guys were behind me the whole time as I was coming back from an injury so the support from them the whole time helped and, just hard work to get back. I am just doing whatever I can to help the team to generate even more chances.”
Match Notes:
- David Garcia has scored his first goal in the USL League One this season.
- North Carolina have scored in their last 11 games in the USL League One, their longest scoring streak this season.
- North Carolina have scored in 20 of their 23 games, only Tormenta (22) have scored goals in more matches in the USL League One this season.
Next Up:
North Carolina FC will be back at WakeMed Soccer Park to take on the Central Valley Fuego on Saturday, September 2, with a 4:00 p.m. ET kickoff. The match will stream on ESPN+ and @NorthCarolinaFC will provide social media updates.
Box Score:
NCFC (4-3-1-2): Brooks Thompson, Nelson Blanco, Gustavo Fernandes, David Garcia, Christian Lue Young, Rafael Mentzingen, Michael Maldonado, Raheem Somersall, Jaden Servania, Oalex Anderson (Louis Perez – 45’), Garrett McLaughlin
Subs Not Used: Tor Saunders, Dj Benton, Max Flick, Luke Croll, Luis Arriaga, Preston Popp
NCO(4-4-2): Edward Delgado, Lucky Onyebuchi Opara, Noah Powder, Leo Folla, Bruno Rendón, Jackson Dietrich (McLain Clarke – 82’), Nortei Nortey, Arthur Rogers, Billy King (Marky Hernandez –61’), Trevor Amann, Stefan Lukic (Danny Robles –74’)
Subs Not Used: Johan Penaranda, Brecc Evans, Donald Benamna, Brandon Rosas
Score:
NCFC: 1
NCO: 2
Goals:
NCFC: D. Garcia – 52’ (J. Servania)
NCO: T. Amann – 27’ (N. Powder), B. Rendon – 64’(Stefan Lukic)
Cautions:
NCFC: J. Servania – 24’, M. Maldonado – 67’, L. Perez – 70’
NCO: N. Nortey — 48′, E. Delgado — 73′, J. Dietrich — 90+7
Ejections:
NCFC: –
NCO: