STATESBORO, Ga. – South Georgia Tormenta FC has announced the addition of defender Natalia Santagelo to its 2023 USL W League roster, pending league and federation approval. A versatile defender from Virginia Commonwealth University, Santangelo has proven to be a dangerous attacking back that can create an offensive spark at any moment.
“Natalia is the prototypical attacking back. She can play either side and can get forward with or without the ball. She is very technical and can run with the ball, provide great service and create great chances from tight angles. She will prove to be a handful to defend, and she will bring an added dimension to the way we like to possess and attack from wide areas. She will be fun to watch.”
Jim Robbins, Tormenta FC USL W League Head Coach
Santangelo comes to Tormenta FC after spending two seasons with VCU, leading the defensive line to respectable performances in one of the toughest divisions in the nation. Overall, Santangelo’s 36 games played with VCU makes her one of the most consistent starters since arriving to the program in 2021. Last season, Santangelo played nineteen games, scoring her only goal of her career in VCU’s 1-0 win against William & Mary on Sept. 1.
In her first year with the program, Santangelo played a crucial role in helping the Rams obtain its first-ever Atlantic 10 regular season title, playing in all 17 games and accumulating 1,526 minutes.
Prior to VCU, Santangelo spent a season with the University of Connecticut, playing in five games for the Huskies.
In June of 2021, Tormenta FC was named a founding member of the W League, an elite pre-professional pathway for women looking to build their careers both on and off the pitch. Tormenta FC won its first-ever USL W League title in 2022 after defeating the Minnesota Aurora in front of 6,500 fans in Eagan, Minnesota.
Tormenta FC provides opportunities to local and national players to develop and start their professional careers in Statesboro, Georgia. In just one year, Tormenta FC’s W League team has produced six professional players with Sydney Martinez joining Jenae Packard, Emily Burke, Kelly Giddes, Abigail Wolf and Jodi Medina as the latest player to sign a contract in around the world.
For additional information and scheduling interviews, email: epintor@tormentafc.com.
Player Profile:
- Name: Natalia Santangelo
- Pronunciation: naa-taa-liya sahn-tah-an-ge-lo
- Position: Left Back
- Height: 5’3
- Birthdate: 03/04/2002
- Hometown: Collegeville, Pennsylvania
- Citizenship: USA
- Previous Club: Virginia Commonwealth University
- Instagram: @ta.santangelo
- Twitter: N/A