FRIARS END SOCCER SEASON UNBEATEN

By Matt Lorenzo
The Father Duenas Friars and the St. John’s Knights battled it out in the final game of the IIAAG Boys Soccer League regular season Monday at the GFA Field.

FD senior captain EJ Manibusan went off the hook, scoring five goals in the Friars’ huge 11-0 shutout over the Knights as FD finished the regular season unbeaten at 7-0-1.

The Friars came out fired up, scoring four goals in the first 15 minutes of the match.

The Knights defense was working hard to keep the ball out of their keeper with Harry Vitale making several impressive stops. The first of the Friars goals came from Manibusan with a fast shot from the left side. Shortly after, freshman standouts Malcom Ogo and Levi Burg also got goals of their own.

Manibusan put another score on the board before the half. Coming back from halftime, came the Knights lone offensive highlight with a try at a goal by Meto Harmon but was quickly swatted by Friars goalie Jacob Toves.

The Friars responded with two goals from Alfred Leon Guerrero and two from Sean Hale Hale. The biggest roar from the fans came late in the game when players Pio Tolentino and Aaron Lupola were subbed in. Making their presence known, Pio had a shot at a goal but fell short due to the speedy reflexes of the Knights keeper.

“The game plan heading into the playoffs is to give everything we got and make it back to the championship,“ said Manibusan.

Last year, the Friars were the favorites, but lost to the Harvest Eagles in the finals as most of their starters opted to represent Guam in an off-island tournament instead of play in the championship game.

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