After many shots go astray, the Chattanooga Red Wolves prevail over South Georgia Tormenta FC, 2-1, to grow their unbeaten streak to seven games.
Though, that outcome did not look promising early in the first half. A sleep walking Red Wolves squad was caught off guard by a counterattack by Tormenta within the first ten minutes of action. Tormenta, who implemented a new formation prior to the game, advanced up the field with three strikers on the attack.
For the Red Wolves, a lack of midfield positioning allowed for the trio of strikers to advance quickly. Within three passes, Tormenta’s Kingsford Adjei entered the penalty area, stutter stepped, and lined up his near-post shot—goal.
The early goal by Tormenta was like taking a jab in a fight. You did not expect it to be so quick, and the sting lasted a lot longer than expected. For the Red Wolves, that sting was present while they played catch-up throughout the first half.
Chattanooga’s Rafael Mentzingen had his opportunities for a goal, but Tormenta defenders and the goalkeeper obstructed such chances. The same would happen to teammate DJ Benton, whose shot would be deflected away by Tormenta’s goalie. Red Wolves defender Timmy Mehl contributed on the offensive end, but his shots, unfortunately, landed over the goal and not in it.
With the shots accumulating rapidly, a bounce had to fall in favor of Chattanooga at some point. In fact, fortune swung in favor of the Red Wolves prior to the halftime whistle. From 30 yards out, Espinoza’s free kick was nearly corralled by Tormenta’s goalkeeper, but as soon as the ball wiggled free, Chattanooga’s leading goal scorer Juan Galindrez reacted quickly and shot towards the open net—put a goal on the board for the home team.
The fight was not over though. With the game even at one a piece, the teams were set for another battle in the second half.
Chattanooga came out with more spunk than the first kickoff. They applied the pressure early on Tormenta throughout the half, racking up more shots on goal.
After tripping Chattanooga’s Moe Espinoza within the penalty box, Galindrez had his eyes set at a penalty kick opportunity. In these situations, penalty kicks favored the offense heavily, but with quick hands and a bit of luck, Tormenta’s goalkeeper was able to save the left-side shot.
A prime opportunity was wasted for the Red Wolves, but the game was not over. In the 79th minute, midfielder Rey Ortiz floated a cross to DJ Benton. Benton headed the ball to the center of the box where teammate Jimmie Villalobos patiently waited, away from the chaotic swarm nearby, and struck the left side of the goal.
With time, patience and keeping their foot on the pedal, the Red Wolves finally dragged themselves above Tormenta, 2-1, to avenge their last loss—eight games ago at the hands of Tormenta.
Chattanooga looks to extend its unbeaten streak on the road against the Charlotte Independence, the fifth-place team who is nipping at the heels of the fourth-place Red Wolves. The trip to Charlotte kicks off a three-game road trip before returning to CHI Memorial Stadium on September 17 against the Richmond Kickers.
Game Summary
TORMENTA 1 0 — 1
CHATTANOOGA 1 1 — 2
SCORERS: Kingsford Adjei (Tormenta); Juan Galindrez and Jimmie Villalobos (Chattanooga)