By Robert Balajadia
The ND Royals and GW Geckos were both determined to bounce back from their weekends games after the Royals tied with the Southern Dolphins while the Geckos suffered their first loss against the Guam High Panthers. Their Monday evening matchup was settled by a header and strong defense courtesy of one well known Royal.
Royals Destiny Castro made a literal heads up play in the 53rd minute scoring the games only goal off a corner kick pass from teammate Randi Paulino. Castro saw an opportunity and just used her head, getting it past Geckos stout keeper Sam Quinata on the left side of the goal.
“I wasn’t aiming for that corner, it just went there,” said Castro. “I was only trying to do something while the ball was in the air, like get a head on it or something!”
The Royal defense held strong to keep Geckos dangerous scorer Jalana Garcia out of the net anchored by goalie Johnalyn Santos, who stuffed all five of Garcia’s shots in the second half. ND improves to (4-1) while the Geckos fall to (3-2).
“Our defense improved and we’re learning how to cover better,” said Santos. “I just told our defense to stay strong out there. It’s my job to try and control the defense.”
The Royals were playing without midfielder Mames Blas which altered their offensive strategy and capabilities. But without one of the teams leading scorers, Castro and the offense took initiative.
“We couldn’t control as much we would’ve like to in the middle, so we just focused on finding targets, which was our forwards. We didn’t really have a play for our midfield, instead we just focused on getting the ball to our forwards,” said Castro.
Garcia’s closest attempt came at the 47th minute where she out ran two Royal defenders to get a decent shot at Santos. Garcia seemed to rush the kick as the ND defense was playing catch up, but Santos managed to slap the ball away from the goal for the save.
Minutes later, Garcia got the cleanest look all game by beating Santos on a footrace as she tapped the ball right past her. The ball was on its way to giving the Geckos the lead, but Royals defender Hopemary Calip managed to get a leg in to knock away Garcia’s shot.
Santos was tested again late in the half as Garcia fired off a strong shot form the left side. Santos got both hands on the ball to deny Garcia for the 5th and final time before the Royals successfully played keep away.
The dangerous Sanchez Sharks front line are up next for the Royals Wednesday and the defense along with Santos’ keeping abilities will again be tested.
“I’m pretty calm. I’m just going to go with the game,” said Santos on facing the Sharks.
PHOTO GALLERY:
GPS Sports Calendar
March 2024
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for February
1st
ISA SOFTBALL
IIAAG MS GIRLS SOCCER FINALS
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL QUARTERFINALS
HS RUGBY PLAYOFFS
Events for March
2nd
HS RUGBY
ISA GIRLS SOFTBALL
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL FINALS
Events for March
2nd
Events for March
4th
ISA HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS
ISA SOFTBALL ALL-ISLAND COACHES MEETING
Events for March
5th
HS RUGBY PLAYOFFS
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS
Events for March
8th
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL FINALS
ISA HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS PLAYOFFS
Events for March
9th
ISA SOFTBALL FINALS
HS RUGBY FINALS
Events for March
9th
Events for March
14th
- 17
- 18
- 19
- 20
- 21
- 22
- 23
Events for March
16th
Events for March
17th
Events for March
18th
Events for March
19th
Events for March
20th
Events for March
22nd
Events for March
24th
Events for March
25th
Events for March
27th
Events for March
28th
Events for March
29th
- 31
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Events for March
30th
Soccer
ISLANDERS OUTSHOOT DOLPHINS
Uncategorized
4TH QUARTER SPORTS SET FOR TAKE OFF
Soccer
ISLANDERS OUTSHOOT DOLPHINS
Uncategorized
4TH QUARTER SPORTS SET FOR TAKE OFF
COMING SOON …
4th Quarter Sports
- Guam Marathon