STATESBORO, Ga. – South Georgia Tormenta FC reigned victorious at home after a 3-1 win against Northern Colorado Hailstorm FC. Kazaiah Sterling was the protagonist in tonight’s victory with a hat trick in 75 minutes of action for the talented striker.
South Georgia knew a win tonight was crucial to maintain its playoff aspirations alive. With no time to waste, Sterling was able to get his tenth goal of the season following a cross placed into the box by Tobias Otieno. Sterling’s sharp-witted shot was able to beat the visiting goalkeeper.
Northern Colorado was able to get a goal back in the 28th minute.
South Georgia kept up the intensity, though, and was close to getting its second goal of the match after a superb counter attack culminated with a shot put wide by Ryan Sierakowski.
South Georgia regained the lead in the 40th minute following a well-organized attack. A through ball finding Sierakowski left the keeper perplexed and out of position, which allowed Sterling to simply tap the ball into a goalkeeper-less net.
The referee pointed to the penalty spot in the 74th minute, as Sterling was taken down in the box, and he was able to score the penalty and record his first hat trick for Tormenta FC. With this goal, Sterling becomes only the second player in club history to score a hat trick for the USL League One side with Azaad Liadi scoring the first in 2021.
Sterling also set another record, breaking the professional team’s single-season goal-scoring record. Sterling, who now has 12 goals in 2022, surpassed Marco Micaletto’s 11 goals from the 2021 season.
Tonight’s Player of the Match, presented by Galactic Comics and Games, is Kazaiah Sterling. Sterling lit up Erk Russell Park with his first hat trick for the club and led the team to a much-needed victory to continue its playoff push.
UPCOMING:
Following its fixture against Hailstorm FC, Tormenta FC will be back at Erk Russell Park for one final time to take on FC Tucson on Latino/a Heritage Night on Friday, Sept. 16, at 7:30 p.m. ET.
