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Quality Distributors FC’s Paige Surber leaps to avoid the extended leg of Guam Shipyard defender Shaniece Roberto en route to the goal. (courtesy photo)

PRESS RELEASE – Quality Distributors FC clawed back from a two-goal deficit to post a 3-2 win over defending champion Guam Shipyard on opening weekend of the Bud Light Women’s 11-A-Side Soccer League Fall Season at the Guam Football Association National Training Center.

Guam Shipyard goalkeeper Jaime Soriano led her team’s tight central defense in denying most Quality shot attempts in the first half. Shipyard caught a break 30 minutes into the game after Amara Gumataotao and Quality’s Vanessa Quinata fought for possession of the ball in the air. The ball fell behind them and right winger Randi Jo Paulino’s quick reaction resulted in her taking the ball straight to the goal to open scoring for Shipyard.

About two minutes before the halftime whistle, Shipyard’s Britney Blau burned a pair of Quality defenders down the left side and eventually was fouled in the penalty area before taking a shot. Teammate Alyssa Benito took the ensuing penalty kick and sent it to the left side past Quality keeper Chyna Ramirez to give her team a strong 2-0 lead going into halftime.

Quality made better use of the team’s wingers to counter Shipyard’s strong central defense in the second half, eventually wearing them down to find scoring opportunities. Five minutes into the half, Quinata was fouled on the left wing and set up a free kick for Paige Surber. Kayla Kinney scored off a header from the play and 12 minutes later, scored the equalizer after taking a through pass to the goal. Sabrina Wiegand scored the game winner in the 69^th minute after following up on Surber’s shot from a right-side free kick that Soriano fumbled in front of the goal.

Hyundai’s Olivia Flores races toward the goal against the Doosan Lady Crushers’ Brittany Meno in an opening day match. (courtesy photo)

In other matches, Colleen Naden’s shot in the 78^th minute was the game winner in the Doosan Lady Crushers’ 2-1 victory over Hyundai. Maria Abbey Iriarte scored the Lady Crushers’ other goal in the 26^th minute. Olivia Flores scored Hyundai’s lone goal in just the fourth minute of play.

The Lady Rovers recorded the day’s lone shut out with a 3-0 win over the Paintco Lady Strykers. Rhoda Bamba, Yvonne San Nicolas, and Melissa Elwell each scored in the Lady Rovers’ victory.

League action continues Sunday at 3 p.m. with Shipyard taking on Hyundai. Quality will face the Lady Strykers at 5 p.m. and the Lady Rovers will play the Lady Crushers at 7 p.m.

The inaugural Women’s 7-A-Side Recreational League is set to begin Nov. 3 featuring teams in a novice division and an intermediate division. Registration still is ongoing for interested players, with or without previous soccer-playing experience. New players need only to pay a discounted $25 GFA player registration fee to play in the league, funded primarily through a FIFA grant to grow women’s football in Guam.

For inquiries or to register, visit the GFA Main Office or call 637-4321. The office is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and also temporarily on Saturdays from  8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

The Doosan Lady Crushers’ Colleen Naden carries the ball toward the goal facing defensive pressure from Hyundai’s Raven Aguon in an opening day match of the Bud Light Women’s 11-A-Side Soccer League Fall Season at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. The Lady Crushers defeated Hyundai 2-1. (courtesy photo)

The Paintco Lady Strykers’ Krystiana Martinez takes the ball through the midfield as the Lady Rovers’ Niki Perkins chases her on defense in an opening day match of the Bud Light Women’s 11-A-Side Soccer League Fall Season at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. The Lady Rovers defeated the Lady Strykers 3-0. (courtesy photo)

The Lady Rovers’ Rhoda Bamba tries to control the ball near the goal as two Paintco Lady Strykers defenders close in on her in an opening day match of the Bud Light Women’s 11-A-Side Soccer League Fall Season at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. The Lady Rovers defeated the Lady Strykers 3-0. (courtesy photo)

Quality Distributors FC’s Kayla Kinney sprints to the goal with the ball against Guam Shipyard in an opening day match of the Bud Light Women’s 11-A-Side Soccer League Fall Season at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. Quality defeated Shipyard 3-2. (courtesy photo)

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