LADY GECKOS WIN CHALLENGE CUP

PRESS RELEASE – The George Washington Geckos’ girls soccer team showed its strength early on by claiming the Gold Cup championship title of the 3^rd Annual Guam Football Association Challenge Cup, the one-day, pre-season tournament to the IIAAG Girls High School Soccer League, at the GFA National Training Center.

“It’s only the beginning, but we’re already showing some good passing during our matches in the pre-season tournament,” said Krystiana Martinez, Geckos captain. “Based on our performance this early, I think we can go far this season.”

The Geckos earned the right to hoist the championship trophy after Ana Aguon scored the lone goal in the match five minutes before the final whistle against the Academy of Our Lady of Guam Cougars. After receiving a cross from a teammate, Aguon managed to get past a defender and tap in the ball past Academy’s keeper for the score. For Aguon’s efforts, the GW sophomore also was awarded the Most Valuable Player trophy.

“This is the first time I’ve gotten an award like this and it feels good,” Aguon said after the awards ceremony. “Receiving this award in the pre-season tournament gives me more confidence going into the regular season. It’ll remind me to keep pushing myself harder with every game.”

The Geckos first defeated the St. John’s School Knights and edged the Harvest Christian Academy Eagles 4-3 in a penalty kick shootout to earn their place in the final against Academy. In the bottom half of the Gold Cup bracket, the Cougars bested the John F. Kennedy High School Islanders and next, the Okkodo High School Bulldogs for a spot in the championship game.

In addition to the hardware, the Geckos also received new soccer balls from GFA as part of their award package. The Simon Sanchez High School Sharks also received new soccer balls from GFA in addition to their Silver Cup trophy after edging the Islanders 2-1 in the final of the silver bracket.

JFK’s Megan Diego gave her team the 1-0 advantage early, but moments later, the Sharks’ Maria Abbey Iriarte equalized the match on a perfectly arched free kick that sailed over the Islanders’ keeper. The Sharks’ Ha’ane Taitano scored the eventual game winner in the closing minutes of the match.

The Guam High School Panthers rounded out the eight teams participating in the pre-season tournament. The Southern High School Dolphins, Notre Dame High School Royals, and St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School Lions did not enter the tournament.

The IIAAG Girls High School Soccer League begins Saturday.

PHOTO GALLERY:

A few representatives from the Simon Sanchez High School Sharks pose for a photo with the Silver Cup trophy of the 3rd Annual Guam Football Association Challenge Cup, the pre-season tournament to the IIAAG Girls High School Soccer League at the GFA National Training Center. The Sharks defeated the John F. Kennedy High School Islanders 2-1 in the silver bracket final. (courtesy photo)

Academy of Our Lady of Guam’s Mia Santos sprints past George Washington High School defenders to the goal in the Gold Cup championship match of the 3rd Annual Guam Football Association Challenge Cup, the pre-season tournament to the IIAAG Girls High School Soccer League at the GFA National Training Center. The Cougars lost 1-0 to the Geckos. (courtesy photo)

The Simon Sanchez High School Sharks’ Maria Abbey Iriarte pushes past two John F. Kennedy High School defenders in the Silver Cup bracket final of the 3rd Annual Guam Football Association Challenge Cup, the pre-season tournament to the IIAAG Girls High School Soccer League at the GFA National Training Center. The Sharks edged the Islanders 2-1 to win the silver division. (courtesy photo)

George Washington High School Geckos’ Ana Aguon controls the ball as an Academy of Our Lady of Guam Cougars defender begins to close in on her during the Gold Cup championship match of the 3rd Annual Guam Football Association Challenge Cup, the pre-season tournament to the IIAAG Girls High School Soccer League at the GFA National Training Center. The Geckos defeated the Cougars 1-0 in the championship match.

George Washington High School Geckos’ Ana Aguon is hoisted onto her teammates’ shoulders after being awarded the Most Valuable Player award of the 3rd Annual Guam Football Association Challenge Cup, the pre-season tournament to the IIAAG Girls High School Soccer League at the GFA National Training Center. (courtesy photo)

The Academy of Our Lady of Guam Cougars pose for a group photo with the runner-up trophy of the Gold Cup bracket of the 3rd Annual Guam Football Association Challenge Cup, the pre-season tournament to the IIAAG Girls High School Soccer League at the GFA National Training Center. The Cougars lost 1-0 to the George Washington High School Geckos. (courtesy photo)