STATESBORO, Ga. – South Georgia Tormenta FC continued to prove itself to the nation with a 2-0 win against FC Tucson, earning its fifth clean sheet in a row in all competitions. Former Tormenta FC 2 midfielder Adrian Billhardt scored his first professional goal, along with midfielder Barakatulla “Barry” Sharifi, who scored tonight’s second goal.
Notably, Goalkeeper TJ Bush made his professional debut, taking Pablo Jara’s place in between the sticks in an honorable performance.
Billhardt kicked off tonight’s first real chance in the 19th minute with a cross to the head of Arthur Bosua, who unselfishly headed the ball to Kingsford Adjei. Adjei’s close-range shot hit the goal post and rebounded out.
Tormenta FC continued to pressure Tucson inside the box, and four minutes later, Billhardt put another precise cross into the box finding Bosua alone. The South African forward’s header went just wide of the net, but South Georgia was able to make its offensive presence known.
South Georgia recorded its first shot on target during the first-half additional time, when Adjei outran the defensive line, taking a powerful shot that was rejected by Tucson’s goalkeeper.
The two sides entered half-time still tied up 0-0, with Tormenta FC leading Tucson on chances with five shots thus far to the home side’s three.
Billhardt ended the night’s shutout in the 60th minute, scoring his first professional goal after a season-ending injury in his 2021 rookie season. Deshawon Nembhard assisted Billhardt, who found himself open at the top of the box before slicing the ball past the keeper’s right to bring the score to 1-0.
The home side’s Louis Perez earned a second yellow in the 62nd minute, leaving Tucson to play with 10 men the rest of the match.
In the 84th minute, Tormenta FC sealed its third consecutive win of the season in all competitions as veteran Alex Morrell crossed a clinical ball after a short corner kick was taken, and it found Sharifi, who headed the ball into the back of the net. The goal marks Sharifi’s first professional goal of his career.
Tonight’s Player of the Match, presented by Galactic Comics and Games, is midfielder Adrian Billhardt, who scored his first goal as a professional and the first goal of the night. Billhardt was the engine of the midfield tonight, creating numerous chances in and around the attacking third.
UPCOMING:
Tormenta FC now heads home to host the Charlotte Independence on Saturday, May 7 at 7:30 p.m. ET. Supporters can purchase single-game general admission tickets here and VIP packages here.
Three days later, South Georgia takes on Inter Miami CF in the Fourth Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, its furthest run in club history.
