FRIARS EDGE JFK FOR SOCCER CROWN

By Aloha Alesasis

The Father Duenas Friars have won the title for this year’s Interscholastic Boys High School Football League’s final game where the boys took on the John F. Kennedy Islanders. The game concluded with a final score of 2-1 with Friars David Del Carmen and Hyunwoo Kim winning the honor of players of the game.

The stage was set for an unforgettable clash at the Guam Football Association Field on Saturday afternoon, as the two top-seeded John F. Kennedy Islanders for the public schools and Father Duenas Friars for the private schools squared off in the Boys High School Soccer League Championship. With both teams having battled to a draw in their previous encounter, anticipation was high for this decisive showdown.

FIRST HALF
From the opening whistle, it was clear that both teams were eager to impose their will on the game. The Friars and Islanders engaged in a tactical battle for possession, each squad relentlessly pressing for a breakthrough. In the early moments, Islanders goalkeeper Renz Reburiano showcased his sharp reflexes, diving to deny multiple attempts by the Friars, keeping his team in the game.

FD’s Beau Perez proved a constant threat, his quick decision-making and precision shots forced the Islanders’ defense to stay alert.

The Friars finally broke through the deadlock midway through the first half, when Del Carmen executed a clinical strike from a well placed corner kick, sending the ball sailing into the net to put the Friars ahead 1-0.

“It felt amazing making the first goal for my team. We worked really hard, both teams honestly, it was a really good game and it wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for the coaches,” FD Senior Del Carmen said.

The Islanders responded with determination. Refusing to be outdone, they stormed the Friars’ half, launching a flurry of attacks to equalize. With just two minutes remaining in the half, CJ Sablan’s pinpoint corner found the head of Gage Cruz, who rose above the defenders and directed the ball past the Friars GK Zach Calvo, leveling the score at 1-1 as the first half drew to a close.

SECOND HALF
The intensity only grew as the second half unfolded. Both teams seemed more synchronized, with communication and momentum flowing seamlessly. Defenders tightened their lines, while attackers relentlessly sought to break the tie.

Midway in the second half, the Friars regained the lead as Kim showcased his skills and composure, sprinting through the Islanders defense before calmly slotting the ball past Reburiano to make it 2-1. The Friars bench erupted as they celebrated what seemed to be the decisive goal.

“I always try my best all the time to score which makes me so happy. I want to say thank you to my team as they work hard with intensity and I am so thankful for that,” said the FD freshman striker.

The Islanders refused to surrender. With their backs against the wall, they turned up the pressure, dominating possession and launching wave after wave of attacks. They camped out in the Friars half, hoping to find the equalizer that would force extra time.

As the game entered its final minutes, the Friars were not content to simply protect their lead. With one final burst of energy, they broke free on a counterattack, making one last push for a third goal. The Islanders’ defense, though fatigued, held firm, preventing the Friars from sealing the game with a cushion.

The clocked ticked down, and as the final whistle blew, the Friars took the title as champions.

3rd Place Game

The St. John’s Knights won the consolation match as they beat the Southern Dolphins 3-2.

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