Bazini scores brace, Bwana scores penalty as Ibis climb above playoff line
South Georgia Tormenta FC extended its winning streak to four matches on Saturday evening, defeating AV Alta 3-0 in a commanding performance on the road. The result pushes Tormenta FC into seventh place in the USL League One standings, moving above the playoff line for the first time this season.
Israeli forward Yaniv Bazini delivered in front of goal, recording his third brace of the year and his second brace against AV Alta. Bazini is the only Tormenta player to score against Alta this season. Both goals came from the playmaking of Barbadian forward Niall Reid-Stephen, who provided two assists and was a constant attacking threat throughout the night. Midfielder Handwalla Bwana, making his return to the squad after representing the Somali National Team, capped the performance with a calmly converted penalty in the 83rd minute, his third goal of the season. Notably, tonight was defender Justin Malou’s first start for the club after being loaned from North Carolina FC.
The team looked energetic from the opening whistle, creating several dangerous chances and free-kick opportunities in the first half. Defender Oscar Jimenez opened with a shot in the 11th minute, followed by a low strike from Gabriel Alves in the 27th. Reid-Stephen forced another save shortly after, and midfielder Mason Tunbridge’s chip went just over the crossbar. AV Alta’s only real chance came before halftime, when goalkeeper Austin Pack denied a long-range effort to preserve the clean sheet.
The breakthrough came early in the second half. In the 53rd minute, Reid-Stephen took control of the ball in the box before crossing it over to Bazini, threading past three Alta players, where the Israeli forward had the perfect open space to strike the ball into the top left corner. The duo combined again in the 74th minute, with Reid-Stephen breaking through heavy defensive pressure and slipping the ball to Bazini, who finished once more from nearly the same spot.
With momentum on their side, Tormenta struck again less than ten minutes later when substitute midfielder Taylor Gray drew a foul inside the box. Bwana stepped up to the spot and converted calmly, sealing the 3-0 victory.
Pack made a crucial close-range save in the 87th minute to protect the clean sheet, his third of the season.
Tormenta FC returns home to face the Richmond Kickers for Paws and Claws Night on Saturday, September 27, at 7:00 p.m. Supporters are encouraged to bring their four-legged friends to the match and enjoy $3 White Claws throughout the evening. In partnership with local shelter Fixing the Boro, the club will host a pet adoption event from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Fans who donate pet supplies at the gate will receive free student admission or $5 General Admission tickets. Tickets are available now at tormentafc.com/tickets.
Box Score:
Tormenta FC 3-0 AV Alta FC
TRM Starting XI: Austin Pack, Oscar Jimenez, Callum Stretch, Makel Rasheed, Justin Malou, Conor Doyle ©, Gabriel Alves, Aaron Walker, Mason Tunbridge, Niall Reid-Stephen, Yaniv Bazini
AV Starting XI: Denzil Smith, Christian Ortiz, Steven Ramos, Miguel Pajaro ©, Erick Ceja, Maboumou Alassane, Sebastian Cruz, Harrison Robledo, Alexis Cerritos, Jerry Desdunes, Javier Mariona
Scoring Summary:
TRM: 54’, Yaniv Bazini (Assisted by Niall Reid-Stephen)
TRM: 74’, Yaniv Bazini (Assisted by Niall Reid-Stephen)
TRM: 83’, Handwalla Bwana (Penalty Kick)
Misconduct Summary:
AV: 18’, Maboumou Alassane (Yellow, foul)
TRM: 33’, Justin Malou (Yellow, foul)
TRM: 44’, Callum Stretch (Yellow, foul)
TRM: 52’, Gabriel Alves (Yellow, foul)
AV: 80’, Alexis Cerritos (Yellow, foul)
AV: 83’, Osvaldo Lay (Yellow, foul)
