LEESBURG, Ga. (WALB) - The sport of soccer continues to grow in South Georgia as leagues are expanding all over the state, and clubs are popping up left and right.

The Sowegan Soccer Club (SSC), one of South Georgia’s newest semi-pro organizations, held its season opener on May 10.

Just two seasons ago, the fighting turtles were gearing up for their inaugural season. Now with just over 730 days of experience, the Sowegan soccer club is preparing for what they’re considering their biggest season yet.

President Josh Duckworth said, “We’ve learned a lot over the last three years. We’ve learned about the quality of players to bring in, but we’ve learned that it’s really about the culture and the community. We want this to be a place where Southwest Georgia is a part of it.”

Coming off an Eastern Conference championship in the Gulf Coast Premier League, the fighting turtles return 15 players from a team that had a league high of 24 points. Head Coach Ricky Zambrano said that statistic didn’t do much come post-season, which is why this season will consist of a different approach.

“You’ve got to run what I like to call a sprint marathon. You don’t have a lot of time, but you also have to take your time and be measured about how you proceed forward and how you keep working the process forward,” said Zambrano.

Of the returning players, seven are back for their third season. Including two key pieces on the back line in Alex Ruane and Nicola Monelli. The defenders helped lead the SSC’s defense in allowing the fewest goals in the league.

But Zambrano is banking on a lot more than just the back line in 2025, saying, “Our success, I believe, comes with a cohesive unit of all 11 players contributing defensively: from our highest man to our lowest man in goal.”

This season, the Sowegan Soccer Club will join a new league, the League for Clubs. It consists of 50 teams coast-to-coast, including Valdosta FC, which is getting ready to begin its inaugural season.

The league is centered around community engagement, something Sowegan SC is founded on. In 2024, the club set an attendance record of over 300 supporters, helping boost the team to a 5-1 record at home.

“That’s been the beautiful thing — just seeing our t-shirt out in the community. People wearing the Sowegan logo has been an awesome thing. Seeing soccer continue to grow all around us has been a cool thing,” said Duckworth.

Zambrano added, “We had great fan support last year. It’s been great to see all the partners that have been joining us. I think that’s the process that goes with one season to the next.”

The club opened its season at home on Saturday, May 10. They welcomed Pensacola FC, another former member of the Gulf Coast Premier League.

Have a news tip or see an error that needs correction? Let us know. Please include the article’s headline in your message.

To stay up to date on all the latest news as it develops, follow WALB on Facebook and X (Twitter). For more South Georgia news, download the WALB News app from the Apple Store or Google Play.

Copyright 2025 WALB. All rights reserved.