STATESBORO, Ga. – The Tormenta FC Boys 05/06 Magenta Academy squad had an impressive showing this season. The team won the South Carolina Open League with only one loss and won their pool in the Adidas Senior Cup going unbeaten.
The leading goal scorer and assist leader of the season was Carter Batts, racking up 17 goals and nine assists for the team. The team scored 40 goals in total this season, while only conceding nine. In the Adidas Senior Cup however, the boys netted eight goals with zero conceded, leaving the team with a total of 48 goals scored and nine conceded. They ended their season with 12 wins and only one loss.
Taking turns as goalkeeper were Tucker Brodnax, Thomas Hernandez and Jose Garcia from the 07 Ibis team. Hernandez played as goalkeeper in the Savannah United Cup and did an outstanding job for the team.
As for the key to their success this season, there were new strategies implemented by head coach Bert Leonard during practice in order to increase efficiency. Leonard started by removing all the grids and cones in preparation for small-sided matches, giving the boys more experience in knowing their territory on any field.
Second, the boys scrimmaged 11 v 11 to ingrain attacking and defensive principles into the playing style of the team similar to how clubs such as Ajax and Sporting CP play.
They used the matches as tests to figure out how to execute their playing styles. For the most part, the players stayed in the same position throughout the entirety of the season in the same 4-3-3 formation. Rather than fouling and double-teaming opponents on the field, Leonard’s squad found that the key to defensive success was body control. Each match the team improved and Leonard noted that he even saw the speed of play increase as the season carried on.
These tactical adjustments as well as the talent of the squad were crucial to the team’s success in both the South Carolina Open League and the Adidas Senior Cup.
By: Meagan Mulvany
