PRESS RELEASE – The Rovers opened their title defense of the Bud Light Co-Ed Masters Soccer League with a 3-1 victory over Big Blue in Week 1 play at the Guam Football Association National Training Center.

After the Rovers gained the upper hand on a Wayne Darmand goal in the 25^th minute, Big Blue answered back about 10 minutes later with a shot from Noel Casilao. Casilao connected on a rebound after Rovers goalkeeper Dave Bush initially blocked a free kick shot from Roy Abril for the eventual 1-1 halftime score.

The Rovers began the second half in attacking mode, raking in two goals in the first fifteen minutes of the deciding half. Takefumi Inoue scored the eventual game winner in the 50^th minute off a through pass from Cheri Stewart and teammate Carlos Barajas added another goal 10 minutes later for the 3-1 victory.

In the evening’s late match, IT&E/IP&E also picked up a win in its opening week match – a 3-1 win over the Paintco Strykers.

An own goal from the Strykers in the 18^th minute opened scoring for both teams, and put IT&E/IP&E ahead early. Moments later, the Strykers had an opportunity to level the match on a penalty kick opportunity, but goalkeeper Ricky Tyquiengco dove to his left and managed to save Rod Hidalgo’s shot to keep IT&E/IP&E ahead.

A Matthew Elwell strike in the 41^st minute later gave IT&E/IP&E a 2-0 advantage going into halftime.

About 10 minutes into the second half, the Strykers’ Keith Dickson chased down a pass down the right side and managed to get the ball past Tyquiengco, who was drawn out on the play. As the ball rolled across the goal, an alert Enrique Fegurgur gained possession of the ball, dribbled a bit, and took a shot into the empty goal to get the Strykers on the scoreboard.

Just five minutes later, IT&E/IP&E’s Kevin Knaeble intercepted a goal kick sent to the left side, ran the ball past the Strykers’ last line of defense, and finished the play for the final 3-1 score.

Co-Ed Masters League soccer continues Saturday with Big Blue taking on IT&E/IP&E at 6 p.m., followed by the Rovers playing the Strykers at 8 p.m. The full schedule is available online at http://www.guamfa.com/all-leagues-coed-results

PHOTO GALLERY:

Big Blue’s Gus Meno tries to control the ball before turning to the goal as the Rovers’ Gajee Turner stays close on defense during an opening week match of the Bud Light Co-Ed Masters Soccer League at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. The defending champions Rovers defeated Big Blue 3-1.

The Paintco Strykers’ Kimberly Sherman races to the goal with the ball as IT&E/IP&E’s Kevin Elwell is right at her heels on defense during an opening week match of the Bud Light Co-Ed Masters Soccer League at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. IT&E/IP&E defeated the Strykers 3-1.

Big Blue’s Shelly Santos takes control of the ball as the Rovers’ Dave Bush runs to catch up with her during an opening week match of the Bud Light Co-Ed Masters Soccer League at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. The defending champions Rovers defeated Big Blue 3-1.

The Rovers’ Shinya Yasuda tries to prevent Big Blue’s Yvonne San Nicolas from turning to the goal during an opening week match of the Bud Light Co-Ed Masters Soccer League at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. The defending champions Rovers defeated Big Blue 3-1.

The Rovers’ Camarin Perez approaches Big Blue’s Pepito Bedia, Jr. in attempt to take the ball during an opening week match of the Bud Light Co-Ed Masters Soccer League at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. The defending champions Rovers defeated Big Blue 3-1.