Greenville, SC – A strong opening half from the Triumph faded in to another disappoint result for the club, as South Georgia Tormenta FC scored two quick second half goals to defeat Greenville 3-1 Saturday night at Legacy Early College. With the win, Tormenta captured the season series 3 matches to one.
In a familiar refrain this season, the Triumph fell behind early, with Tormenta converting in the 11th minute with the ever-dangerous Luca Mayr-Falten putting the visitors up 1-0. Undeterred, the Triumph were able to equalize ten minutes later, as Jesus Ibarra precisely curled a shot past an outstretched Pablo Jara to even up the match and score his first goal with the Triumph.
The second half took a different narrative, with the dangerous South Georgia attack finding holes in tiring Triumph defense. Unlike previous matchups that saw set piece conversions for Tormenta, they struck twice in the run of play a mere three minutes apart to take a 3-1 lead in the 59th minute. Greenville sent in all five substitutes during the second half looking to turn the tide, but the offense couldn’t find attackers in the box to help an effort to claw back. With the final whistle, Tormenta sealed the win and clinched the season series featuring the two southern rivals.
The Triumph head to southern Florida next week, looking to rebound against a Fort Lauderdale side that has also struggled to find consistency. Greenville returns to the Upstate on August 22nd to face the Richmond Kickers.
