Connect with us

Soccer

EAGLES END DECADE WITH SOCCER TITLE

The MVP James Lee once again showed his heroics late in a scoreless game, netting the game-winner to bring the 2019 title to Harvest.

By Robert Balajadia

The Harvest Eagles hadn’t won a boys soccer title since 2008, but all that changed Saturday evening as they defeated the JFK Islanders 1-0 for the 2019 title at the GFA Field in Harmon.

The MVP James Lee once again scored the games lone goal, striking late in the second half, similar to the when two teams first met in the regular season.

JFK’s Talyer Bonner was hit with a yellow card after picking up his third foul on a questionable call to give the Eagles a free kick near midfield. Defender Taka Ward booted the ball inside the Islanders box and Lee was able to control the ball to get a clean look at the goal.

JFK keeper Allan Aranas made a big block on Lee’s first shot, but Lee got the ball on the rebound and unloaded a big kick to net the games first goal in the 74th minute to take a 1-0 lead.

Wendy’s Players of the Game: Harvest Eagles keeper Marcus Del Rosario kept their goal safe and James Lee scored a late goal in the second half to win the IIAAG Boys Soccer Championship Game in a 1-0 victory over the JFK Islanders. (Photo by Michael Blas)

“Wow, just wow,” said Lee on how Ward was able to get the ball to his strikers. “I thought the Islanders defender was going to win the ball with a header, but the ball just landed at my feet.”

Bonner was hit with two late whistles and his yellow card had the JFK striker visibly frustrated on the sideline with the calls his team was receiving.

JFK struggled to find good looks in the closing minutes, with two minutes of extra time, as Harvest keeper Marcus Del Rosario was able to preserve another scoreless contest against the dangerous Islander offense. Del Rosario and the defense had been able to do what no other team had been able to do all season: hold the Islanders scoreless twice.

“My defense has been a very interesting line this year. We aren’t the fastest, I’ll say that for sure, but those boys know how to mark and how to predict the ball and I can’t ask for a better defending line,” said Del Rosario.

Del Rosario reflected on his teams journey, but admitted he’s more comfortable doing the work behind the scenes rather than being in the limelight.

“I’m not the one who scores the goals or gives the amazing passes, but one thing I love about goal keeping is that no one really sees you unless you do your job. By the grace of the Lord, he’s really taken control of this team. Even though I don’t get the glory, I get the glory just from supporting this team and playing for the Lord,” said Del Rosario.

JFK controlled possession of the ball in both halves, but the Eagles defense didn’t give the Islander offense much breathing room. JFK’s best look came in the second half after a free kick from Michael Castaneda was controlled by Del Rosario.

For Lee, winning the MVP award and ending his last year with a title was quite the turn-around, especially this year where they started the season off on the wrong foot.

“We started this year losing 2-0 to St. John’s, but we ended up winning first seed, and now we end it with a ‘ship. Harvest hasn’t had a trophy since 2008 so it’s good to finally bring it back home,” added Lee.

Friars take 3rd place

FD defeated the Southern Dolphins 6-1 in the consolation game to finish 3rd on the year.

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Ad

GPS Sports Calendar

November

December 2024

January
SU
MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Events for November

30th

No Events
Events for December

2nd

Events for December

3rd

Events for December

4th

Events for December

4th

No Events
Events for December

6th

Events for December

6th

No Events
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Events for December

7th

No Events
Events for December

8th

No Events
Events for December

10th

Events for December

10th

No Events
Events for December

11th

No Events
Events for December

13th

Events for December

14th

15
16
17
18
19
20
21
Events for December

15th

Events for December

16th

Events for December

17th

Events for December

17th

No Events
Events for December

19th

Events for December

20th

Events for December

21st

22
23
24
25
26
27
28
Events for December

21st

No Events
Events for December

22nd

No Events
Events for December

23rd

No Events
Events for December

24th

No Events
Events for December

25th

No Events
Events for December

26th

No Events
Events for December

27th

No Events
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
Events for December

28th

No Events
Events for December

29th

No Events
Events for December

30th

No Events

COMING SOON …

2nd Quarter Sports Playoffs

 

QUICK HITS

Guam Blooded: Jared Quenga signs with the McNeese State Cowboys in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
A highly-touted DB in high school, Quenga spent his first year in junior college after sustaining a severe injury after his senior year playing rugby.
Now back in top form, Quenga gets his D1 call to play with the Cowboys.
—————————————-
Guam national golf team player Aki Matsuno secured second place at the FCG Hawaii World Series championship.

Matsuno’s second place finish earned him an invitation to compete in the FCG Junior Golf Championship to be held in July 2025.

A junior at St. John’s, he is also currently leading the IIAAG high school All-Island golf competition, chasing the coveted individual high school golf title.

More in Soccer