Last Saturday night in Minnesota, the South Georgia Tormenta FC women's team took to the road and became the first team to win the inaugural USL Women's League Championship. With a 2-1 victory over Minnesota Aurora FC (13-1-1), which came into the game undefeated at 13-0-1. Tormenta (10-1-4) won eight of their final nine games to bring the "SHIP" back to Statesboro, Georgia.
Five Savannah area players contributed to the championship season. The players are former standout high school soccer players. They were Sydney Martinez, Elise Holcey, Allie Rathbun, Lauren O'Hearn, and her sister Erin O'Hearn. Where did these players come from, and where are they playing now?
Sydney Martinez (goalie) played at Effingham County High School and is now a senior on the University of South Florida women's team. Elise Holcey (forward) just graduated from Savannah Arts Academy for Visual and Performing Arts. Allie Rathbun (forward) was a standout at St. Vincent's Academy and is now a fifth-year senior at the University of Memphis. Sisters Lauren and Erin O'Hearn are standouts from St. Vincent's are midfielders that played at Furman University.
With the game tied and Minnesota receiving a penalty kick in the extra time period, Martinez made an incredible save and stopped the rebound shot. Four minutes later, Tormenta Jaida Nyby would score her second goal, which sent South Georgia Tormenta FC to a 2-1 victory against Minnesota Aurora FC to claim the inaugural 2022 USL W League title. Jaida Nyby scored the first Tormenta goal when she received a flick pass from Erin O'hearn. Martinez would be named MVP after leading Tormenta with her tremendous goalkeeper skills in the inaugural USL W League title game.
2022 Inaugural USL W Champions - South Georgia Tormenta FC
Optim Orthopedics supports St. Vincent's Academy athletics. St. Vincent's team doctor is Dr. Thomas Alexander. Remember, Optim Orthopedics gets you back into the game!
Photo Credit - Tormenta FC website & Tormenta FC | USL W League twitter
