July 23, 2022 – United Soccer League One (USL1) – North Carolina FC News Release
CARY, NC – North Carolina FC fell 2-1 to South Georgia Tormenta FC on the road on Saturday night, the contest result being decided in the final minutes of the match. Kazaiah Sterling recorded a brace for the Georgia side, as Tormenta came away with three points. Jaden Servania scored the lone goal for NCFC, with Shak Adams logging the assist – his first with the club.
“Obviously really disappointed with the way things played out,” said Head Coach John Bradford following the match. “The guys dug in and we felt like we could come back, I’m proud of the effort to get it back to 1-1. I’m pleased with some individual performances tonight, Shak Adams showed in the moment of the goal what he is capable of, and what we’re going to lean on him to do. It’s a tough stretch for us right now in terms of lots of road games and lots of condensed games, we’re going to stick together and make sure we’re ready to give our best performance back at home on Wednesday.”
Tormenta opened the scoring in tonight’s match, following the awarding of a penalty kick in the 27th minute. Sterling stepped up to take the kick, converting the attempt and scoring his fourth goal of the season to give the Ibises a 1-0 edge. The 1-0 scoreline held through the remainder of the half, despite the North Carolina side generating several chances at an equalizer. Among these chances was an opportunity from Cole Frame that saw a driven shot taken from just outside the eighteen narrowly miss the lower 90 in the 33rd minute.
Finally finding the equalizer in the 79th minute, Adams catalyzed the scoring play, taking the ball in stride down the left flank to beat his defender and cross the ball at the endline. Mishit by a Tormenta defender, the service was redirected into the path of Servania, who capitalized on the opportunity with a one-touch shot to collect his third goal of the season and level the score at 1-1. Tormenta responded just two minutes later when Sterling tallied his second of the night, the goal being the edge the Ibises needed to secure three points.
North Carolina FC will return to WakeMed Soccer Park to host the Richmond Kickers on Wednesday, July 27 at 7 p.m. ET. Tickets to the match are available here, and the match will stream live on ESPN+.
Box Score:
NCFC (4-4-2): Will Pulisic, Christian Lue Young, Jordan Skelton, Gustavo Fernandes, Nelson Flores Blanco, Pecka (Nelson Martinez – 58′), Raheem…