By: Sam Carter
STATESBORO, Ga. – South Georgia Tormenta FC closed out its home schedule of the 2023 USL W League season with a convincing 2-0 win over Southern Soccer Academy. The victory is the fifth clean sheet of the season and a third win in a row for the Statesboro side.
“It was a little bit of tougher game for us today. I thought the weather conditions were challenging given that it was 90-plus degree at kickoff. It wasn’t our best 90 minute outing for the summer, but I have to give the girls credit. They fought, they grinded. They put the work in, got a good penalty, a nice goal off the punt from Keara to ice the game. They allowed limited opportunities to the opposition. All in all, I’m happy with the result. We need to be better for Friday, but we will work on it.”

Elis Nemtsov forced the first save out of the SSA goalkeeper. Seven minutes into the match, she was played in behind the visitors’ defense by Kiana Jacobson. In the 15th minute, Tormenta FC was awarded a penalty after a handball in the penalty area. Nemtsov stepped forward and buried the strike in the bottom left corner, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way direction. South Georgia kept up its intensity throughout the end of the first period and entered the break leading 1-0.
Substitute Alaysia Lane called the opposition goalkeeper into action for the first time in the second half after Tess Werts crossed a ball into the penalty area to her feet. Minutes later, Nemtsov nearly scored her second goal of the match as she slipped behind the SSA backline and connected with a lofted through ball from Abby Gemza.
In the 64th minute, Werts doubled the Tormenta FC advantage after nodding a ball just above the reach of the goalkeeper.
Peyton Chick won a corner for the home side in the 70th minute, which led to a flurry of chances inside the penalty area. South Georgia controlled possession and denied any goal-scoring opportunities for SSA in the closing minutes of the match to earn all three points.
“It was a great ball from Keara, and I couldn’t have done it without her. I thought the team had a good turn around in the second half. Everyone’s enthusiasm really helped everyone’s energy pick up to get the job done.”
In June of 2021, Tormenta FC was named a founding member of the USL 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 USL 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 Europe.
For additional information and scheduling interviews, email: epintor@tormentafc.com