South Georgia Tormenta FC takes the win in the home opener of the 2025 USL W League season with a 2-0 victory over North Carolina Fusion. Midfielders Chinatsu Kaio and Katie Russo were were tonight's heroes, with the duo providing a goal and an assist for one another.
Notably, goalkeeper Madison Vukas and defender Meredith Pugh made their first starts for the Ibis tonight, helping claim three points for the club.
Tonight’s match started with heavy possession from Tormenta in the visitors’ box which persisted for most of the match. French forward Mady Soumare and midfielder Katie Russo each had an attempt that could’ve been the opener for South Georgia. Multiple crosses into the box spelled danger for NC Fusion, with the team nearly netting the ball numerous times. The Ibis’ best first-half scoring chance was a hard kick from forward Constance Agyemang that sailed inches above the crossbar, leaving the team hungry for a goal going into halftime.
Tormenta wasn’t starving for much longer, with Katie Russo providing a quick pass into the Fusion’s defense in the second half. Forward Flavie Dube faked a volley, fooling the entire North Carolina backline and allowing the ball to make its way over to midfielder Chinatsu Kaio, who found the back of the net in the 70th minute. Kaio returned the favor in the 84th minute when a cross by Constance Agyemang was saved from going out by the Japanese midfielder’s last-second kick. The hard-fought effort created a perfect setup for the Hilton Head native to head it into goal, sealing Tormenta’s 2-0 victory.
Tonight’s match was a full-circle moment for Katie Russo. The midfielder is a Lowcountry native from Hilton Head who started her soccer journey at Storm Soccer Academy, now known as Tormenta FC Academy. In joining the Ibis and scoring tonight at home, Russo continues her path to pro from the academy to Tormenta’s W League roster. She currently plays Division I soccer for the University of South Carolina.
The Tormenta FC women are back at Tormenta Stadium in a few days this Saturday, May 31, facing Carolina Ascent FC. The match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. with tickets available here.
