SOCCER: GECKOS BLANK ISLANDERS

By Mike Nauta Jr.

It was the green and gold taking on the purple and gold last night at the JFK soccer field. On Thursday evening, the John F. Kennedy Islanders played host to the visiting George Washington Geckos in IIAAG High School Girls Soccer League action. From start to finish, both teams played aggressively tough and neither made things easy for the other. However, at the end of the game it was the visiting Lady Geckos who garnered the 2-0 shutout victory.

“We got off to a slow start as a team and our communication with each other wasn’t at its best,” said GW’s Jalana Garcia. “However, we kept fixing what we had to as the game progressed and in the end it turned in our favor.”

From the sound of the whistle to start play, the Islanders started the game not wasting any time attacking. Led by Aubrey Mafnas and Marea Masnayon, JFK looked to post the game’s first goal. However, strong defensive playing by GW’s back line led by Gabby Muna denied any chances of a goal being scored. Things could have went either way as each team had their share of corner kicks as well as shots on goal.

JFKs Megan Diego and GWs Colleen Quinata play hard to get possession and control of the ball. (photo by Joey Blas)

In the 22nd minute, GW’s Kaysha Leon Guerrero found an open Colleen “Coco” Quinata for a perfectly timed pass. Quinata had the golden opportunity to score and take a one-goal lead. However, JFK goalkeeper Kim Kalila would hold ground and deny the score.

Minutes later, the Islanders created their best chance of the opening half when Masnayon took a free-kick that appeared to be away from the outstretched arms of GW goalie Samantha Quinata. Quinata managed to stop the ball from finding the back of the net and kept the score knotted at zero. Eventually, the two teams would head into halftime scoreless.

The start of the second half witnessed the Geckos going directly into attack mode. Three minutes in, the Geckos took three shots-on-goal but just could not find a way to get the ball passed Kalila.

As the game progressed, things seemed as if the game would end in a tie. However, the Geckos were not ready to accept a tie and upped the intensity. In the 52nd minute, the Islanders committed a foul inside the penalty box that put GW’s Erlissa Delfin on the line. After zipping a shot into the lower left corner, the Geckos held a 1-nil lead.

“With the game being tied for the most part, we had to find ways to get a goal.” said Delfin. “We were very fortunate to have been awarded the PK.”

Things turned back into a defensive mode for both sides as neither allowed for the other to get deep into their respective territory. It wasn’t until the 76th minute of play when the Geckos increased their lead to 2-0 after Garcia managed to get by a slew of Islander defenders for the score. At the sound of the final whistle minutes later, the Geckos celebrated another victory claimed this season.

“It was a great game by both teams,” said Garcia. “We may have shutout the Islanders, but it wasn’t an easy one to pickup.”

PHOTO GALLERY:

GWs Erlissa Delfin makes the penalty shot in the second half. (photo by Joey Blas)

JFKs Rufina Royster and GWs Jalana Garcia chase the loose ball with minutes to play in the game. (photo by Joey Blas)

JFKs goalie Kim Kalila goes up to make a nice block at a shot attempt at the goal from GW. (photo by Joey Blas)

GWs Gabby Muna makes a nice defensive play to gain possession of the ball in midfield. (photo by Joey Blas)

GWs Jalana Garcia dribbles past a JFKs defender in the first half. (photo by Joey Blas)

JFKs goalie Kim Kalila and GWs Jalana Garcia go up and try to get possession of the corner kick. (photo by Joey Blas)

JFKs Rufina Royster dribbles the ball down the sideline while being well defended in the back field. (photo by Joey Blas)

JFKs Megan Diego brings the ball to midfield in the first half. (photo by Joey Blas)