STATESBORO, Ga. – South Georgia Tormenta FC forward Kazaiah Sterling and midfielders Gabriel Cabral and Tobias Otieno were named to USL League One’s Team of the Week for Week 24 of the 2022 regular season. Sterling was voted League One Player of the Week following a hat-trick performance on Saturday night.
Sterling was the protagonist in Saturday’s victory with a hat trick in 75 minutes of action for the talented striker. Sterling becomes only the second player in club history to score a hat trick for the 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.
“I am proud to have reached the landmark of becoming the top goal scorer during the regular season for Tormenta FC. I was fortunate to be in the right areas tonight to get the three goals, however, I want to thank my teammates for helping it be one of the easiest hat tricks I ever scored.”
Kazaiah Sterling, Tormenta FC Forward
“Kazaiah’s a superb football player. We knew in the recruiting process that our club could be a great environment for him to re-find his best form. This season the team has done a very good job providing him key passes and opportunities to score. You can see when he celebrates how much he appreciates and owes the guys around him, setting him up for success.”
Ian Cameron, Tormenta FC Head Coach
Across two matches, Cabral recorded 18 recoveries, five interceptions, and four chances created – all the most or tied for the most in Week 24. Cabral also won 80% of his tackles and completed nearly 80% of his passes.
For the second consecutive week, Otieno assisted Sterling’s third-minute goal to
notch his third assist in the past four matches. The Kenyan midfielder also created a pair of additional chances and completed over 80% of his passes across two Week 24 contests.
Following Saturday’s result, Tormenta FC will be back at Erk Russell Park for one final time to take on FC Tucson during Latino/a Heritage Night on Friday, Sept. 16, at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Tormenta FC is excited for a historic 2022 as it transitions from Erk Russell Park to Tormenta Stadium. Supporters can purchase Flex Ticket packages to guarantee their presence at all remaining home matches this season.