
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.

“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.
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GPS Sports Calendar
February 2023
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for January
1st
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
2nd
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
Events for February
3rd
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
TRITONS BASEBALL INVITATIONAL PLAYOFFS
Events for February
4th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
Events for February
6th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
7th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
8th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
9th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
Events for February
10th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
TRITONS BASEBALL INVITATIONAL FINALS
Events for February
12th
MONSTER ENERGY MOTOCROSS ROUND 2
Events for February
13th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
14th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
15th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
Events for February
16th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
Events for February
17th
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
Events for February
18th
BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2K/5K
World Athletics Cross Country Championships
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
Events for February
20th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
21st
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
22nd
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
23rd
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
Events for February
24th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL QUARTERFINALS
Events for February
24th
Events for February
25th
Events for February
27th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER SEMIFINALS
Events for February
28th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL FINALS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE SEMIFINALS
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS

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