On a night dedicated to the pups, it was Tormenta who brought the bite, delivering a 4-2 win and stretching their winning streak to five games—the longest in club history. They’ve outscored their opponents 15-4 during this run, controlling possession and creating consistent scoring chances. The atmosphere at Tormenta Stadium matched the energy on the field as more fans lead to more cheers, more laughter—and most importantly, more fun shared by all.
First Half: Early Pressure Turns into Goals
Tormenta opened the game with early possession, but it was Richmond who nearly struck first. In the 3rd minute, Maximiliano Schenfeld connected with Billhardt tap-back on a left-side run and tested Austin Pack with two solid chances, both denied by sharp saves.
In the 16th minute, Yaniv Bazini continued his scoring form, winning the ball with a sliding challenge just outside the 18-yard box and curling it to the far post for his 9th goal of the season—and 4th in his last 3 matches.
Tormenta didn’t stop there. Just four minutes later, Niall Reid-Stephen doubled the lead with a cool finish, off a beautiful tic-tac passing sequence by Conor Doyle. It was Niall’s 9th of the season and a testament to the form he’s been in over the past two months.
Handwalla Bwana nearly added a third in the 22nd minute after a great setup by Bazini, but Richmond’s keeper came up big. Austin Pack returned the favor in the 36th minute, making a clutch leg save on a close-range shot from Simon Fitch and the half ended with Tormenta holding a confident 2-0 lead.
Second Half: Goals, Grit, and a Touch of Magic
Richmond came out with urgency, earning a free kick in the 49th minute that Pack once again turned away. They finally broke through in the 53rd minute, with Nils Seufert finding space and finishing low past a diving Pack to make it 2-1.
Bazini nearly answered minutes later with a curling strike, only to be denied by Richmond’s keeper—and, in a rare moment of off-field heroics, a fan blocked the ball from hitting another spectator, without spilling his drink. Two saves, one highlight.
In the 63rd minute, Tormenta made a trio of subs: Gray, Tunbridge, and Vivas came on for Jimenez, Bwana, and Bazini, and just three minutes later, Tunbridge almost made it 3-1 on a setup from Niall with the keeper out of position, but Sneddon somehow got a toe on it.
Tormenta would not be denied for long. In the 69th minute, newcomer Gray made it 3-1 with an absolute rocket from just outside the box—his first goal for the club.
Richmond, refusing to go quietly, clawed one back through substitute Joshua Kirkland in the 72nd minute, cutting the lead to 3-2. But just four minutes later, Tormenta restored their two-goal cushion with what may be the goal of the night. Niall Reid-Stephen calmly tapped in a low cross that slipped through three defenders and the keeper—another brilliant piece of attacking play from the in-form striker.
In the 81st minute, Niall nearly completed his hat trick on a free kick just millimeters outside the box. His low drive was heading in but was just pushed wide by Sneddon.
Richmond had one last flurry in the 81st and 82nd minutes, but Pack stood tall yet again, parrying shots and commanding the defense. With nine minutes of stoppage time, Tormenta played it smart and safe, closing out the match 4-2 a reversal of their earlier result at home against Richmond.
Spotlight Performers & Looking Ahead
As Tormenta looks ahead to Friday’s home match against Westchester SC, it’s worth highlighting three players at the heart of this historic run:
Niall Reid-Stephen: Since early August, he’s lived up to every expectation, racking up 7 goals and 4 assists in his last 8 games. He now ranks 4th in both goals and assists, and is tied for the league lead in total offensive contributions with 16.
Yaniv Bazini: Quietly climbing the scoring charts, Bazini has 5 goals and 1 assist in his last 8 matches, including a brace last week against AV Alta FC.
Austin Pack: Who could forget his goalie goal against Greenville? But beyond that moment, Pack has allowed just 6 goals over his last 6 games, winning 6 of his last 7 with only 8 goals conceded.
As the playoffs draw near, Tormenta will need the full squad to keep pushing, making plays, and elevating each other. This team has real potential and they’re peaking at the right time.
Until next time—Vamos Tormenta!