STATESBORO, Ga. – In a back-and-forth match, South Georgia Tormenta FC fought hard in tonight’s 2-2 draw against the Richmond Kickers, despite adversity and injuries. Goals from Barry Sharifi in the 22nd minute and Adrian Billhardt in the 64th helped Tormenta FC secure a point in one of the toughest venues in USL League One. Kazaiah Sterling provided both assists in tonight’s match.
Kingsford Adjei’s breakthrough run in the 22nd minute left the Richmond defensive line unable to stop his cross to Kazaiah Sterling near the penalty spot. The cross ended up being too heavy to control, so Sterling found Barry Sharifi with space. Sharifi’s shot beat Richmond goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald’s closest post, opening up the goal-scoring festival this Saturday in Richmond. Sharifi now leads Tormenta FC in goals scored with three to his name.
The lead didn’t last long as Richmond’s Stuart Ritchie found an equalizer in the 27th minute, following a clinical finish to the top-right corner of the goal defended by Pablo Jara.
After 32 minutes, the lead shifted in favor of the home team. A throw-in finding Emiliano Terzaghi allowed a cross to be put into Jalen Crisler, who beat the defensive line in the air. A second goal from Richmond’s defensive unit had the Kickers in the lead.
Tormenta FC worked hard to find an equalizer in the second half and was looking like the better team, possessing the ball and pressing Richmond into their final third with little space.
The press finally paid dividends for South Georgia in the 64th minute as Sterling assisted Billhardt after an impressive first-touch pass for his second assist of the night. Billhardt beautifully left the Richmond defender, creating space for his shot, which ultimately had Fitzgerald defeated and unable to prevent the equalizer.
Tormenta continued its attack on Richmond throughout the rest of the half with close shots like Jamil Robert’s bicycle kick attempt and Alex Morrell’s close-range effort after receiving a great ball from Billhardt. Unable to finish any more chances, but holding off the Kickers well to preserve a point, Tormenta FC ultimately finished equal to the home side with a final score of 2-2.
Defender Owen Green got his first start tonight following Deshawon Nembhard’s international call-up to the Belize National Team. Also notable, former Tormenta FC midfielders Nil Vinyals and Vincenzo Candela took the pitch against their former club tonight.
Tonight’s Player of the Match presented by Galactic Comics and Games is Adrian Billhardt who scored tonight’s equalizer, helping earn a road point for Tormenta FC. Billhardt recorded a 90.9% passing accuracy throughout 90 minutes of play while creating three chances and recording two shots on goal. Defensively, the midfielder won seven duels and made three tackles.
UPCOMING
Following tonight’s result, Tormenta FC travels to face the Northern Colorado Hailstorm on Saturday, June 11, at 9 p.m. ET for the first-ever meeting between the two sides.
