STATESBORO, Ga. – South Georgia Tormenta FC faced Central Valley Fuego FC for the first time tonight at Erk Russell Park. Central Valley was able to find four goals in the first half, leaving South Georgia without a response. After 90 minutes, the final score read 0-4 in favor of the visiting team.
Central Valley struck first in the 12th minute after a low ground ball to the center of the spot found a Fuego midfielder, who finessed the ball to the opposite side of the net. Five minutes later, the Fresno side profited off their first corner of the night; a headed ball was placed back into the danger zone perplexing the TFC defensive line.
A header from the away side then slowly crossed the line, marking the second goal less than 20 minutes into the first half. Central Valley then found two more goals in the 35th and 42nd minutes, sealing a first half that left South Georgia looking to regroup.
A much-needed 15-minute break gave Tormenta FC a moment to regroup and push for a miraculous comeback. Head Coach Ian Cameron shifted his defensive line to a line of three and pushed his team to be more aggressive up top.
After entering the match during the halftime break, Arthur Bosua had South Georgia’s first shot on target after his header was blocked by the Central Valley goalkeeper in the 51st minute of the second half.
Following the first shot on target, Kazaiah Sterling played a backheel ball to Adrian Billhardt, leaving the German midfielder in a great position. Billhardt was unable to beat the keeper, who rose to the occasion tonight. Tormenta FC went on the record five shots on goal throughout the second half.
Notably, four players from last year’s South Georgia Tormenta FC 2 squad received playtime tonight. Central Valley’s Michael Hornsby and Will Gillingham and South Georgia’s Chris Heckenberg and Gabriel Cabral were all crucial members of their teams in tonight’s match.
Tonight’s Player of the Match, presented by Galactic Comics and Games, is midfielder Gabriel Cabral who recorded an 87.8% passing accuracy. Cabral also created two chances and made two tackles and two interceptions.
UPCOMING:
In one week, Tormenta FC will host FC Tucson at Erk Russell Park on Saturday, May 28, at 7:30 p.m. ET. The team then travels to play the Richmond Kickers on Saturday, June 4.
