By Mike Nauta Jr.

After picking up a season-opener victory via forfeit, the Sanchez Lady Sharks were eager to get onto the pitch for some real action in the 2014 IIAAG High School Girls Soccer League.  Thursday afternoon, the Lady Sharks got that opportunity as they took on the St. Thomas Lady Lions at the Okkodo Soccer Field.  At the end of the battle it was the Lady Sharks who cruised to a 4-0 shutout victory over their opponents.

St. Thomas Aquinas’ goalie, Emma Huarillon, slaps the ball preventing it from going into the net. (photo by Asha Robles)

“We got off to a slow start at the beginning of the game and it showed in our performance,” said the Sharks’ Maria Abbey Iriarte.  “It was at halftime when we began to tell one another that we can do better and play our style of soccer.  For the remainder of the game that’s exactly what we did.”

From the start of the game, the Sharks wasted no time showing how hungry they were to play soccer.  While keeping possession on their half of the field for the most part, Simon Sanchez looked for every opportunity to get the game’s first goal.

Shaniah Aguon managed to get the first shot-on-goal only to be denied by Lions’ goalkeeper Emma Haurillon.  Later in the 15^th minute of play, a break in the Lions defense gave way for Shaeina Torres who zipped a shot right at the goal.  However, with her quick reaction Haurillon punched the ball away to reject the score.

Late in the half, the Lions finally managed to get the ball onto their side of the pitch when Haurillon launched a beautiful punt.  Led by the defense of Zhanissa Monica Mendiola, the Sharks were able to get the ball out of harms way and back into their comfort zone.  It was from there when Iriarte ended the dry spell after she sent a laser shot past Haurillon to find the back of the goal making it a 1-nil game.  The Lions maintained damage control as the half ended leaving them with a one-goal deficit.

“Simon Sanchez is a really good team in a lot of ways,” said the Lions’ Haurillon.  “Their communication and passing skills amongst each other is one of the biggest reasons why they were able to score.”

Second half action witnessed the Lady Sharks turn things up on offense as they managed to add three goals in a span of 20 minutes to take a commanding 4-0 lead.  The first goal of the second half came courtesy of Kiara Camacho.  Showing their unselfishness on the field, Iriarte and teammate Franshay Shippey orchestrated the opportunity for their teammate Camacho with a pass-pass-shoot play.

Sanchez Sharks’ Shaeina Torres looks for an open teammate as she dribbles the ball down the sideline.(photo by Asha Robles)

Before the final whistle signaling the end of the game was blown, Ha’ane Taitano and Camacho added two more goals for the Lady Sharks.  The Lady Lions had two chances in the second half to end their shutout, but to no avail.  At the end of the match it was the Sharks who improved their season-record to 2-0 with the win, while the Lady Lions drop to 0-2 on the season.

“It feels really good for our team to pick-up the win today against a team that never stopped working hard throughout the game,” said Iriarte.  “We still have a lot of work to do as a team and it’s still very early in the season, but we only hope to get better each time.”

Camacho led the Sharks offense scoring two goals, while teammate Iriarte was credited with a goal and two assists.  In the losing effort, the Lions’ Haurillon recorded 18 saves in the game.  IIAAG High School Girls Soccer action resumes Saturday with the following five games on tap.

• Notre Dame vs. Harvest @ Harvest  9am
• JFK vs. GW @ GW  10am
• Academy vs. St. Thomas @ TBA 10am
• Okkodo vs. Southern @ Southern 4:30pm
• Guam High vs. St. Paul @ St. Paul  4:30pm

PHOTO GALLERY

Sanchez Sharks’ Franshay Shippey cuts the ball in front of oncoming defense. (photo by Asha Robles)

Players of St. Thomas Aquinas get ready as the ball flies towards their net. (photo by Asha Robles)

Breian Mckinnon of St. Thomas Aquinas takes possession of the ball.(photo by Asha Robles)

Ha’ane Taitano of the Sanchez Sharks controls the ball down the center of the field. (photo by Asha Robles)

Kyra Rocco of St. Thomas Aquinas looks down as she passes the ball down the sideline. (photo by Asha Robles)