EAST RIDGE, Tenn. – After an eventful 90 minutes and one short lightning delay, South Georgia Tormenta FC tied against Chattanooga Red Wolves SC in a back-and-forth 4-4 affair from CHI Memorial Stadium in East Ridge, Tennessee. Kazaiah Sterling and Mukwelle Akale scored a goal apiece, while Pedro Fonseca scored two goals in the entertaining USL League One regular season contest.
Tormenta FC took the lead early via a well-worked team goal. Kingsford Adjei danced into the box before finding Jackson Khoury, who passed the ball across the box to Fonseca’s lethal right foot.
Chattanooga answered with an equalizer five minutes later, but TFC continued to create the better chances and grabbed the advantage once again in the 21st minute. Deshawon Nembhard played a smart pass into space to midfielder Tobias Otieno, who sent a ball through the Chattanooga defensive line and into the path of Sterling. The forward calmly slotted the ball into the back for his 12th of the season.
The match went into a short delay with lightning in the area, but once the teams resumed play, the fireworks on the field continued. Chattanooga grabbed the lead for the first time on the night in the 64th minute. TFC quickly responded, though, with Akale scoring from a breakaway after a sensational through ball by Chris Heckenberg.
In the 85th minute, Sterling played an exceptional pass up and over the defensive line and into the path of an attacking Fonseca. The Brazilian talent fired a shot on goal, and it was initially saved on the goal line, but he touched the ball again to force it over the line for the 4-3 lead.
The Red Wolves fought hard the entire match, though, and the home side was able to score one more in front of its fans, netting the equalizing goal in the 95th minute.
Following Saturday’s contest, Tormenta FC heads home to prepare for a showdown against One Knoxville SC at 7:30 p.m. ET from Optim Sports Medicine Field at Tormenta Stadium on Sept. 1 (ESPN+).
