Doosan FC’s Joseph Kim attempts a header for goal in a Week 3 Land Shark Beach Soccer League match against the Crushers FC at the Guam Football Association National Training Center July 19. The Crushers defeated Doosan 6-5. (courtesy photo)

PRESS RELEASE – The Strykers FC are in prime position to successfully defend its Land Shark Beach Soccer League title, ascending to the first-ranked position in league playoffs set to begin Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Guam Football Association National Training Center beach soccer court.

The Strykers trailed the Crushers FC for the entire season, but two Strykers wins in Week 3, coupled with a Crushers FC loss in the same week, rearranged league standings moving into the playoffs.

The Strykers, hot on a four-game winning streak, first defeated Doosan FC 7-4 with hat tricks from Shawn Spindel and Bill Kerr and an additional goal from Spindel’s younger brother Scott. James Mendiola, Aaron Castro, Arnold Torres, Jr. and Allan Angoco scored for Doosan.

The Strykers next defeated 2013 champions Quality Distributors FC 8-5. Scott Spindel finished with a hat trick and teammate Francis Chargualaf knocked in two for the Strykers. Shawn Spindel, Hiro Asoshina, and Caleb Barretto also scored in the win. Nick Roberto and Takefumi Inoue each scored twice for Quality. Joshua Mendiola scored Quality’s other goal.

Quality also earned a win in Week 3, defeating the Crushers 9-3. Mendiola scored a hat trick in the win and teammates Roberto and Bradley Miller each scored twice. RC Salas and Justin Tan also scored for Quality. Jonathan Odell scored twice for the Crushers. Christian Schweizer scored the Crushers’ other goal.

In the day’s other match, the Crushers edged Doosan 6-5. Jonathan Odell, and younger brother Takumi each scored a hat trick in the win. Angoco, Castro, Joshua San Agustin, Thaddeus “T.J.” Atalig, and Thomas Medler each scored once for Doosan.

No. 1 Strykers will next play No. 4 Doosan FC in the first semifinal match at 2 p.m. Sunday, followed by No. 2 Crushers taking on No. 3 Quality at 3 p.m. The losing teams from the semifinal matches will play a consolation match at 4 p.m., followed by the league’s championship match featuring the winners from the semifinal match at 5 p.m.

An awards ceremony will be held after the championship match. The championship trophy, as well as the Fair Play Award and Golden Boot Award, will be presented to respective winners. In the Golden Boot race, the Crushers’ Jonathan Odell topped the list of goal scorers with 14 for the season. The Crushers also claim the Fair Play Award as the lone team in the league not issued any yellow or red cards for the season.

The Crushers FC’s Christian Schweizer clears the ball away from Doosan FC’s Thaddeus “T.J.” Atalig to prevent a shot during a Week 3 match of the Land Shark Beach Soccer League at the Guam Football Association National Training Center July 19. The Crushers defeated Doosan 6-5. (courtesy photo)