TOP SEEDS PREVAIL IN GIRLS SEMIS

By Jose Terlaje

GW 44, Guam High 5

In the first matchup of the night at George Washington Field, the defending champion GW Geckos were victorious over the Guam High Panthers, in dominating fashion, as they won the match 44-5.

In the early moments of the game, the Panthers seemed to have their offense together as they moved the ball down the field but the Geckos were able to recover the ball and counterattack, eventually finding Jessie Aguero who ran the ball in for a try. A bad conversion put the geckos up 5-0. Aguero scored again just moments later but another bad conversion only extended the lead 10-0.

Guam High then responded on the next kickoff with Aubrey Taimanglo returning the kick all the way home as she ran through the gaps and found the Gecko try-zone. The conversion after was no good and the Panthers cut the lead to 10-5. That would be Guam High’s only score of the game as the Geckos would control the field and score time and time again. Jalana Garcia, Geranne Cabana, Joani Gogue, and Heather Garrido each scored a try for GW while teammate Aguero picked up three trys.

Guam High Meagan Guerrero runs down the sideline, and was able to bring the ball past mid field. (photo by Joey Blas)

Sanchez 38, ND 22

The second match between the Notre Dame Royals and Simon Sanchez Sharks was a thriller that went into overtime with the Sharks ultimately coming up with a 38-22 win that moves them on to the semifinals on Saturday.

Early in the match, Paris Blas was able to run the ball in after a tap-and-go to put the Royals up 5-0 after a failed conversion. The Royals ran on their momentum after their first try and got in another try and a successful conversion put them up 12-0 over the Sharks.

The Sharks responded swiftly with a try by Ha’ane Taitano and the good conversion cut the ND lead 12-7. ND’s Blas then was able to kick the ball down the field and recover it in the Shark try-zone for another try of the match. Another failed conversion only extended the ND lead 17-7 but the Sharks wouldn’t go down without a fight. They scored two tries with the efforts of Taitano and teammate Tayler Naputi to tie up the match 17-17, forcing overtime.

In overtime the Sharks were able to pull away, scoring three straight tries to win the match 38-22. In overtime Sanchez’s Taitano scored two tries and teammate Patience Artero scored the other. Amyra Tamayo of the Royals scored their lone try in overtime.

A Sanchez player avoids a tackle and picks up a couple more yards on the play. (photo by Joey Blas)

Okkodo 20, Academy 19

The third match of the evening was another thriller that went down to the wire with the Okkodo Bulldogs just barely defeating the AOLG Cougars 20-19.

Okkodo’s Ke’ann Castro was able to capitalize on an error by the Cougars early in the match, intercepting a poor pass and running the ball 40 yards into the try-zone but a failed conversion only gave her team a 5-0 lead. As the Cougars tried to respond with a score of their own, another error by the Cougars allowed the Bulldogs to recover the ball and run it all the way home with Colette Torres taking it in for the score. Another bad conversion only extended the lead 10-0.

The Cougars pulled themselves together and were able to get some points on the board. After a huge run by Ha’ani San Nicolas, a penalty was called on the Bulldogs. The tap-and-go after was taken by Cougar Morgan Leon Guerrero who ran through the Bulldog defense, making her way into pay dirt. A bad conversion only cut the Okkodo lead 10-5.

After halftime the Cougars continued to run on the momentum from the first half and Leon Guerrero found her way into the try-zone again after a good team effort to move the ball down the field. The conversion was good and the Cougars took a 12-10 lead. Sanchez’s Torres answered the try with one of her own, gaining the lead back for her team with a score of 15-12.

The Cougars got back to business and inched their way down the field, eventually getting Jonelle Sayama into the try-zone after fighting through the Bulldog defenders. The conversion after was good, giving AOLG a 19-15 lead. With the half coming to an end, the Cougars looked to kill the clock but the Bulldogs were on a mission. After a ruck, Okkodo’s Castro picked up the ball and ran it down the weak side untouched as she scored the game winning try. After the next kick off time ran out and the Bulldogs picked up the 20-19 comeback win.

Okkodo player passes the ball before being tackled by an Academy defender in midfield. (photo by Joey Blas)

JFK 7, Southern High 0

The JFK Islanders only needed to score one try to get the win over the Southern High Dolphins. The match consisted mostly of traded possessions with some good runs but neither team was able to get things rolling as the Islanders won the match 7-0.

Early in the game, the two teams traded possessions with each team winning every other ruck. After the Dolphins finally got themselves good field positioning, the Islanders’ Jeralyn San Nicolas was able to find an opening as she picked up an 80 yard run and scored the only try of the match. The conversion after was good, giving JFK a 7-0 lead.

The remainder of the match consisted of the Dolphins inching the ball into Islander territory but JFK’s defense was too strong and would not crumble, denying the Dolphins all chances to score. The Islanders continued with their solid defense till the end of the match and picked up the win.

Southern Kim Malalis and teammate go for the loose ball against JFK in the Semifinals. (photo by Joey Blas)