STATESBORO, Ga. — South Georgia Tormenta FC was able to learn valuable lessons in today’s 1-3 defeat to the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the USL Championship. Tormenta FC alum Conner Antley showed off in front of his former home with a brace in today’s preseason friendly. Meanwhile, local Tormenta FC Academy products Renzo Andreucetti, Aiden Miller and Esteban Quintero all made their first-team debuts after entering in the 75th minute of the match.
The first twenty minutes of the first half saw the Tampa Bay side have the majority of the possession but not be able to find any clear opportunities on goal. However, Antley was able to find his first goal of the night with a great strike to beat Pablo Jara.
In the 36th minute of the match, Tormenta FC’s creative playstyle paid dividends when Elijah Amo placed a cross to the top of the penalty box that found Kazaiah Sterling, who unselfishly played the ball to Mukwelle Akale in on goal. Akale sneaked the ball into the keeper’s closest corner to find the equalizer.
Three minutes later, Tampa Bay was able to get the lead back after Forrest Lasso beat the Tormenta FC defenders in the air on a corner kick. The Rowdies would get their third goal of the night in the 69th minute of the game.
Former Tormenta FC players Conner Antley and Charlie Dennis returned to Statesboro this time around playing for the USL Championship side after featuring with the Statesboro side from 2018-2019 and stints in 2017 and 2018-2020 respectively.
Andreucetti, Miller and Quintero joined the likes of Tristan Deloach, Brittain Gottlieb, Stephen O’Hearn, and Grant Hampton in representing Tormenta FC on the pitch in either USL League One regular season play or during the preseason.
Tormenta FC is set to take the road for the first and only time this preseason as they visit Charleston Battery SC next Saturday, March 4, at 7 p.m. ET from Patriots Point Stadium. The game will be closed to the public.
Tormenta FC fans can secure their seats at the new Tormenta Stadium ahead of 2023, with Season Tickets now available for purchase.
For additional information and scheduling interviews, call (301-237-0539) or email epintor@tormentafc.com.