GIRLS RUGBY SEMIFINALS SET FOR SATURDAY

By Michael J.A. Nauta Jr.

IIAAG/GRFU High School Rugby League action resumed last night at the GW field with quarterfinals action in the girls varsity tackle division. Eight teams filled the night with excitement and intensity over four games played in the evening. In one of the scheduled matches, the seventh-seeded JFK Islanders took on the second-seeded Academy Cougars.

Both teams came battle ready and laid everything out on the field in hopes of picking-up a victory and advancing into the next round. When the match came to a close, it was the Cougars who shutout their opponents 10-0 earning the win and advancing into the semifinals.

“We got off to a slow start in the first half, not really sure if it was just playoff jitters or other reasons,” said Academy’s Isabel Flores. “However, we regrouped and refocused and turned a scoreless first half into ten points and a victory.”

From the start of the match, it was apparent that both teams were looking to gain the early advantage. However, for the first two minutes action lingered around midfield with neither team being able to penetrate through their opponent’s defense.

Later in the half, a determined Academy team looked to post the game’s first points when Erin Wong broke through tackles and sprinted her way past the try line. However, Wong wasn’t able to control the ball a knock-on was called just as she went to the ground denying the score.

Second half action witnessed a whole new Academy team as the Cougars came out attacking immediately. Less than two minutes into the half, Flores used her speed to get past the Islanders defense to score the game’s first try giving her team a 5-0 lead. The Cougars weren’t quite finish in the offensive production department as Gabby Avilar upped her team’s lead to 10-0 on the very next possession after scoring a try.

With the clock working against them, the Islanders hoped to get some kind of offense going. However, a tough Cougars squad held ground and managed to go through he remainder of the game holding their opponents scoreless.

“JFK is a very tough team and we knew that they wanted this game just as much as we did,” said Flores. “We just needed to get it together in the second half and reminded ourselves that there was still time for us to make something happen.”

The Cougars advanced to the semifinals game and are scheduled to take on their archrival Notre Dame Royals. The Royals punched their ticket into the semis after defeating the Simon Sanchez Lady Sharks 10-5.

Two-time defending champions blank Panthers

The Notre Dame Royals continue on at a shot for the title after defeating the Simon Sanchez Sharks during overtime in Friday night’s quarterfinal match held at the GW Field. The Royals will face the Academy Cougars in their semifinal match. (photo by Asha Robles)

The George Washington Lady Geckos kicked-off quarterfinals action yesterday playing the first game of the day against the Guam High Lady Panthers. The top-seeded Geckos made quick work of their opponents and cruised to an easy 39-0 victory. From start to finish GW punished Guam High scoring try after try.

In the opening half, GW capitalize on a penalty called on Guam High as Gabrielle Muna pounded her way into the end zone to give her team a five-point lead. The offensive outburst continued in the first half as Jessirae Aguero and Erlissa Delfin added one try apiece before going into the break.

The 15-0 lead wasn’t satisfying enough for the Geckos as they came storming out in the second half scoring four more times. Dyonii Quitugua, Zea Nauta, Geanna Leon Guerrero, and Maricia Mariano were all credited with one try apiece. Nauta added two conversions to her offensive contribution.

With the victory, the defending champions move on to the semis where they will take on the Okkodo High School Lady Bulldogs. The Bulldogs defeated the Southern High Lady Dolphins 10-5 in the night’s final game.

SATURDAY PLAYOFF ACTION SCHEDULE

• 2PM- GW LADY GECKOS vs. OKKODO LADY BULLDOGS (Girls Varsity Semis)
• 2:30PM – ACADEMY COUGARS vs. ND ROYALS (Girls Varsity Semis)
• 3PM – JFK vs. SSHS (Bowl Match Boys Varsity)
• 4:45PM – Loser of Semis 1 vs. Loser of Semis 2 (Bowl Match Girls Varsity)
• 5:15pm – Girls Varsity Tackle Championship Game (CUP)
• 6:00pm – GW GECKOS vs. FD FRIARS (Boys Championship Game)

PHOTO GALLERY

The Notre Dame Royals continue on at a shot for the title after defeating the Simon Sanchez Sharks during overtime in tonights quarterfinal match held at the George Washington High School field. The Royals will face the Academy Cougars in their semifinal match. (photo by Asha Robles)

The Notre Dame Royals continue on at a shot for the title after defeating the Simon Sanchez Sharks during overtime in tonights quarterfinal match held at the George Washington High School field. The Royals will face the Academy Cougars in their semifinal match. (photo by Asha Robles)

The Notre Dame Royals continue on at a shot for the title after defeating the Simon Sanchez Sharks during overtime in tonights quarterfinal match held at the George Washington High School field. The Royals will face the Academy Cougars in their semifinal match. (photo by Asha Robles)

The Notre Dame Royals continue on at a shot for the title after defeating the Simon Sanchez Sharks during overtime in tonights quarterfinal match held at the George Washington High School field. The Royals will face the Academy Cougars in their semifinal match. (photo by Asha Robles)

The Notre Dame Royals continue on at a shot for the title after defeating the Simon Sanchez Sharks during overtime in tonights quarterfinal match held at the George Washington High School field. The Royals will face the Academy Cougars in their semifinal match. (photo by Asha Robles)

Academy of Our Lady of Guam Cougars continue at a shot for the title after shutting out the John F. Kennedy Islanders in tonights quarterfinal match held at the George Washington High School field. The Cougars will face the Notre Dame Royals in their semifinal match. (photo by Asha Robles)

Academy of Our Lady of Guam Cougars continue at a shot for the title after shutting out the John F. Kennedy Islanders in tonights quarterfinal match held at the George Washington High School field. The Cougars will face the Notre Dame Royals in their semifinal match. (photo by Asha Robles)

Academy of Our Lady of Guam Cougars continue at a shot for the title after shutting out the John F. Kennedy Islanders in tonights quarterfinal match held at the George Washington High School field. The Cougars will face the Notre Dame Royals in their semifinal match. (photo by Asha Robles)