ROYALS HOLD DOWN ISLANDERS

By Jeffrey Ochavillo

The ND Royals swept past the JFK Islanders with a 3-0 victory Saturday at the Islander home field. Leading the way was Royals’ forward Destiny Castro who was one goal away from a hat trick, but ended the game with only two.

Usually, you would see Destiny on the court with a basketball, but she showed she could very well handle a ball out on the field. She started soccer at the same age she started basketball, around 10 years old.

ND Royals’ Destiny Castro attempts to poke the ball away from the JFK Islanders goalie. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

When asked about her basketball skills and how it helps in soccer she said, “it really helps especially on defense since we have to run back and forth every possession just like basketball. However, the real difference is that I’m using my feet instead of my arms.”

ND Royals wasted no time trying to get their offense going with Destiny Castro using every opportunity she had with the ball to shoot at the goal when she had the chance. Kick after kick, attempt after attempt, Castro finally scored the first goal of the game after tipping it into the goal after a high entry pass from one of her teammates in midfield.

Before it reached the end of the half, one of the Royals’ defenders cleared the ball from midfield getting it to feet of forward Demi Brennan. Running with the ball, Brennan had a one-on-one versus the goalkeeper. She kicked the ball high nipping the fingertips of the Islanders goalkeeper, as it bounced right into the goal to put up the Royals 2-0.

As it reached midway through the 2nd half, Castro found herself an opening between her and the goal. She took full advantage netting the games’ final goal.

When asked about her view of the game she said, “We need to work more on our communication but overall we played very well together as a team. We were able to hold our defense and got the ball moving. We are slowly improving and I feel that we have not reached out full potential just yet.”

The Royals now improved to 4-0-0 while the Islanders drop to 0-0-5 still kicking for that first win.

PHOTO GALLERY:

Islanders Re’ana Call takes the ball past ND Royals’ Demi Brennan. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

Royals Demi Brennan scores late in the second half. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

Islanders Pim Limtiaco works on getting position. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

Islanders Tyler Torres attempts a high kick. (photo by Robert Balajadia)