STATESBORO, Ga. – Tormenta FC 2 will be well represented in this year’s 2022 NCAA Division I men’s soccer tournament. With nine players from the 2022 USL League Two team scattered throughout the country, players will compete on the field to bring the College Cup home.
J.C. Ngando, University of North Carolina, Greensboro:
Ngando’s presence in this year’s League Two team was one to remember. His offensive and unique game style helped him distinguish himself as one of the best players in League Two in 2022.
Ngando continued his impressive form with UNCG. Ngando helped UNCG conquer its fifth Southern Conference Tournament, going undefeated at home this season and finished the season as the number seven-ranked team in the country. In addition, Ngando was named SoCon Player of the Year and was named to the All-SoCon First Team.
The No.12 ranked UNCG was given a first-round bye and will await the winner of Wake Forest and Ohio State. The winner will face UNCG at UNCG on November 20 at 6 p.m. ET.
Bryan Iliohan, Brian Gonzalez, California Baptist University:
The duo out of Cal Baptist sure put on a show this summer with Tormenta FC 2. Iliohan’s presence up top did not make it easy for opposing defenders to secure any clean sheets. Meanwhile, Gonzalez was a constant presence in the midfield after playing 11 games, scoring and assisting once.
Iliohan played a crucial part in the Lancers’ first-ever WAC title with seven goals and seven assists this season for Cal Baptist. NCAA Tournament appearance in its first-ever year of eligibility after transitioning from Division II to Division I. Iliohan was named to the All-WAC First team and helped the Lancers win its first-ever WAC title.
In 2022, Gonzalez broke the program’s record for career appearances (86). The senior captain helped the team reach its first-ever title and first-ever appearance in the National Tournament. A leader on the field, Gonzalez started in twenty games for the Lancers in 2022.
Iliohan and Gonzalez’s Cal Baptist University are ready to cause an upset when they take on the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) on the road this Thursday, November 17, at 5 p.m. PT/ 8 p.m. ET.
Henry Sach, University of Tulsa:
The 2022 Tormenta FC 2 captain Henry Sach helped lead the TFC2 side to a great season despite not making this year’s playoffs. The leadership on and off the field helped him set himself apart and granted him training opportunities with the first team. Sach’s eleven games played for TFC2 will surely help him lead the University of Tulsa to a run in this year’s College Cup. Additionally, Sach was honored in the American Athletic Conference First Team All-Conference.
The 15th-ranked University of Tulsa received a first-round bye and will await the winner of Georgetown and Navy. The winner will face Tulsa at Tulsa on Sunday, November 20, at 7 p.m. ET.
Salvatore Mazzaferro, University of South Florida:
One of the most influential players in this year’s Tormenta FC 2 team looks to guide the University of South Florida to a win when they take Hofstra at home this upcoming Thursday. A second-team All-American Conference selection, Mezzaferro looks to seal his time at USF with a win to take on No.1 Kentucky in the next round.
Mazzaferro and the South Florida Bulls take on Hofstra University this Thursday at 7 p.m. ET from Corbett Stadium.
Holden Trent, High Point University:
Despite not playing many games with Tormenta FC 2, the goalkeeper was one of the first to arrive in Statesboro and was able to train with the first team. One of the best goalkeepers in college soccer, Trent looks to make a statement run in this year’s tournament after winning his second Big South Tournament in three years. Trent was named the Big South goalkeeper of the year and was named to the Big South First Team.
Arguably one of the most challenging games in the first round, Holden Trent and High Point University are set to travel to Chapel Hill and take on the University of North Carolina this upcoming Thursday, November 17, at noon ET.
Tristan DeLoach, Clemson University:
A Tormenta FC Academy alum, the Savannah native has seen minutes for both the first and second teams. Tristan’s only goal of the League two seasons came against Asheville City on the road. Tristan looks to learn from these valuable moments ahead of his young career at Clemson. Expected to break out at Clemson in the following years, DeLoach understands the importance of experiencing big games like these.
Sixth-ranked Clemson received a first-round bye and will await the winner of UCLA and Cal Baptist University. The winner will face Clemson at Clemson on Sunday, November 20, at 6 p.m. ET. A TFC2 reunion between Bryan Iliohan, Brian Gonzalez, and Tristian DeLoach is possible if Cal Baptist gets the job done at UCLA.
Brittain Gottlieb, Florida International University:
Despite being part of the first team and Tormenta FC 2, Gottlieb headed to FIU after announcing his commitment to the powerhouse program. Gottlieb and FIU won the American Athletic Conference title, earning themselves a first-round bye. Making its twelfth appearance in the NCAA Tournament, FIU looks to compete for its first-ever College Cup.
Tenth-ranked Florida International received a first-round bye and will await the winner of New Hampshire and Seton Hall. The winner will face FIU at FIU on Sunday, November 20, at 6 p.m. ET.
Mohammed Seidu, Marshall University:
The young center back out of Marshall saw playtime this year for Tormenta FC 2. A robust defensive presence helped him solidify himself in the season’s first games.
One of the most in-form teams in the nation, Marshall University, is headed to Elon, North Carolina, on Thursday, November 17 to take on Elon University in the first round of the 2022 NCAA Men’s Soccer Tournament at 6 p.m ET.
Nick Akoto, Keiser University (NAIA):
The pacey fullback from London is set to make another NAIA tournament appearance after winning it all last year. A Second-Team All-Conference, Akoto and Keiser University are set to take on Concordia University this Thursday, November 17, at 7 p.m. ET from Winona Lake, Indiana.
