STATESBORO, Ga. – South Georgia Tormenta FC has announced the addition of Statesboro local sisters and Furman University midfielders, Isabella and Helen Gutierrez, to its inaugural 2022 W League roster, pending league and federation approval.
Additionally, 16-year-old sister Viviana Gutierrez takes on a development opportunity with Tormenta FC and will join the W League squad in training throughout the season, learning on and off the pitch in a professional environment.
“Sixteen years of age and this is the first chance I’ve had to play with both of my sisters,” Vivianna Gutierrez commented. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I know we will not only push each other to be the best player and person we can be, but our surrounding teammates will do the same.”
The South Georgia trio return to the 912 after growing up with Tormenta FC Academy, each excelling and developing with the club for over six years.
Isabella Gutierrez graduates from Furman University in May 2022 after earning numerous awards in her final year with the women’s soccer program. The midfielder was honored as SoCon Women’s Player of the Year in April 2021, followed by being named to the All-SoCon First Team and the MAC Hermann’s Trophy Watch List.
“Isabella is a fiery competitor who will bring energy and passion to every training session and match this summer,” Head Coach Jim Robbins said. “She is also a natural leader and is capable of taking over games with her 1v1 play from wide areas.
“Isabella is one of the top wide players in the country and will show all her ability and capabilities this summer for South Georgia Tormenta.”
Throughout her time at Furman, Isabella recorded an impressive 20 goals and 16 assists in 66 matches played.
“I am excited to be a part of the inaugural season for Tormenta as this association was the beginning for many of the women coming to play this summer and for myself,” Isabella Gutierrez said. “Let’s bring a championship back to the 912.
Helen Gutierrez enters her first full season with the Paladins after an injury postponing her collegiate debut in 2021. The midfielder looks to gain NCAA Division I experience this spring ahead of Tormenta FC’s inaugural W League kickoff.
“Helen has been working very hard the past couple of months and will be ready to contribute in central midfield for our team this summer,” Head Coach Jim Robbins commented. “I am confident that she will play an important role to help us achieve our stated goals on the field.
I look forward to having her on the team and working with her in this environment. She will be an excellent player for us on our highly competitive and experienced roster.”
Prior to Furman, Helen played at Statesboro High School and was the team MVP as a Sophomore.
“Tormenta FC was the very first club I have ever played for,” Helen Gutierrez said. “The technical quality and family-oriented environment are why I chose this program, and I know great things are to come!”
Tormenta FC continues to develop talent in its backyard. Isabella and Helen Gutierrez join three other former TFC Academy talents on the 2022 USL W League roster (Sydney Martinez, Hannah Farmer and Elise Holcey), as well as two more players with ties to the South Carolina Lowcountry region (Madison Foshee and Remi Olalere).
In June of 2021, Tormenta FC was named a founding member of the USL W League, an elite pre-professional pathway for women looking to build their careers both on and off the pitch. For two decades between 1995 and 2015, the W League saw some of the biggest names past and present in the sport compete on the field, and this new era will build on the legacy of its predecessor. In alignment with the USL League Two season, the W League will kick off in May and end with the W League Playoffs and W League Final in late July.
To stay up to date on Tormenta FC’s new women’s team, fans can follow Tormenta Women on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
For additional information and scheduling interviews, email: bodonnell@tormentafc.com.
