Draw's the word

South Georgia Tormenta FC has played three very different games, only to end up with three identical results. 
    In a preseason exhibition, Tormenta led most of the way, conceding late in a 1-1 draw. Tormenta fell behind early in its Premier Development League season opener last weekend, but found its stride in the second half for another 1-1 draw.
    Tormentta earned its first lead of the PDL season in the first half of Thursday night’s game against Peachtree City MOBA, but South Georgia’s in-state rival equalized early in the second half and neither team found the net again, resulting in yet another 1-1 match for Tormenta. 
    “We’re still finding our personality,” Tormenta coach John Miglarese said. “We haven’t quite found our way yet. There are moments where things are clicking and there are moments when it’s not. It’s a long season and there are plenty of games to play, but that’s also something we want to address as quickly as possible.”
    In Tormenta’s opener, Miglarese lamented that it took the first half – and an early goal conceded – to get things going. That trend was flipped on its head as South Georgia got the better of possession and chances early in Thursday’s game. 
    Tormenta couldn’t find the open shot on a few early runs, but eventually worked its way in front.
    Late in the first half, Mikie Rowe helped Tormenta gain possession in its own half and drew a foul just as Tormenta crossed midfield. That reset allowed South Georgia to work deep into Peachtree’s half, ultimately resulting in another MOBA foul and a penalty kick.
    Charlie Dennis rifled a shot low and right that was saved by Peachtree goalkeeper Will Meyer, but the rebound bounced back into the middle of the box and Rowe charged in to find the net in the 36th minute.
    “It’s all about continuing to work,” Rowe said. “It’s a physical game. I was fighting hard to (get the foul call). On the penalty, it’s a shot you know that Charlie will get nine times out of 10. But you have to be ready for anything, so I was looking for the ball and it came right to me.”
    Tormenta continued to get the better of the action and carried a 1-0 lead into halftime.
    There was never a chance to settle into the second half before the match’s pivotal play.
    Just over a minute into the second half, Peachtree City was awarded a free kick on the left side of the field, about 35 yards out. Matthew Wooling lofted a perfect cross into the heart of the Tormenta box as three MOBA player all got a clean jump to go for the ball. Daniel Velenciano was the first to make contact, redirecting the ball on a header that froze Tormenta goalkeeper Keegan Meyer to knot up the score in the 47th minute.
    “That was about the worst thing that could have happened,” Miglarese said. “We missed a couple of tackles, picked up a foul and then they really executed well on the free kick.”
    With the tone of the game changed, neither team was able to establish much momentum throughout the rest of the match.
    Peachtree City had periods of solid possession, but couldn’t break through. Keegan Meyer was only taxed to make a stop once and only one other shot by Peachtree City — which sailed wide — had enough pace to threaten the net. 
    As the match entered the final 15 minutes, it was Tormenta that pressed the issue. A few long crosses opened up the attacking zone, with a pair of offsides calls and a low cross that never found a Tormenta foot serving as ‘what if’s’ in another game that was played well enough to warrant a win, yet ended in a draw.
    “We had our chances,” Miglarese said. “We maybe took a few more risks to create those opportunities and this was the first time we’ve had all four of those guys who were up top playing together.
    “You can look at these two ties as gaining two points or missing out on four. Maybe because these were home games, we feel a little more like we lost out on chances for more points, but we have also shown a lot of promise and things we can build on.”
    Tormenta now faces a quick turnaround and a tough challenge in its next match.
    The club will hop on a bus tomorrow and head for Nashville, where it will take on a Nashville SC squad that pummelled Peachtree City by a count of 6-1 in its season opener. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Saturday.
    “We know they’re a tough team that will have a lot of home fans supporting them,” Rowe said. “It’s a tough fixture after a game like tonight, but it’s what we’ve got to get ready for.”