Connect with us

Soccer

ROVERS FC STRIKES FIRST EVER G-LEAGUE TITLE

PK shootout secures championship over Strykers FC

PRESS RELEASE – The NAPA Rovers FC secured the inaugural Bud Light G-League Women championship in dramatic fashion, defeating the Bank of Guam Strykers FC in a penalty kick shootout 2-2 (5-3 PSO) on a rainy Sunday afternoon at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. 

The Strykers were first to the goal in the 12th minute on a Sarah Benavente shot, after she finished a Giselle Dahilig pass from the right side to the opposite post for the early advantage. The Rovers equalized about 20 minutes later from a Yae Kawauchi free kick that had enough height and pace to escape past the outstretched arms of Strykers goalkeeper Feah Fejeran; however, Koharu Minato’s shot from distance in first-half stoppage time put the Strykers back on top before the halftime whistle.

The Rovers broke the second-half scoreless deadlock in the 71st minute on a Marlena Connelley free kick to eventually send the match into penalty kicks.

The Rovers, kicking first in the shootout, were perfect from the spot, with Cassandra Kido sealing her team’s win as the fifth kicker. An attempt by the Strykers’ second kicker, Koharu Minato, hit the crossbar and out of the goal to give the Rovers some breathing room through the shootout.

Cadence Guzman, Yae Kawauchi, Mony Marquez, and Jodee Halili were all also successful for the Rovers in the shootout, while Sarah Benavente, Ariya Cruz, and Brienna Herdrich kept the Strykers in the match until the fifth round of kicks. 

Presenting awards in the short ceremony following the match were GFA President Valentino San Gil, GFA Vice President Tina Esteves, and Ambros Marketing Manager Jojo Camacho. The referees of the match – James Oh, Joshua Bamba, and Joshua Samonte – each received a commemorative Referees medals in the presentation ceremony followed by individual league winners, Taylor Camin and Kiarra Hutcherson – the league’s Golden Boot and Golden Glove winners, respectively receiving trophies. The Strykers were next given the league’s second-place trophy and the Rovers presented the league’s first Champions trophy.

The Rovers last won the women’s football crown in the Fall 2016 season, while the Strykers were three-time champions in 2019, 2022, and 2023. The league was suspended in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ad

GPS Sports Calendar

October

November 2024

December
SU
MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
Events for October

1st

Events for November

2nd

3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Events for November

2nd

No Events
Events for November

4th

Events for November

5th

Events for November

6th

Events for November

7th

Events for November

8th

Events for November

9th

10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Events for November

10th

Events for November

11th

Events for November

12th

Events for November

13th

Events for November

14th

Events for November

15th

Events for November

16th

17
18
19
20
21
22
23
Events for November

16th

No Events
Events for November

18th

Events for November

19th

Events for November

20th

Events for November

21st

Events for November

22nd

Events for November

23rd

24
25
26
27
28
29
30
Events for November

23rd

No Events
Events for November

25th

Events for November

26th

Events for November

27th

Events for November

27th

No Events
Events for November

29th

Events for November

30th

1
2
3
4
5
6
7

COMING SOON …

Lots of 2nd Quarter Sports

Guam vs. Japan men’s basketball November 24

QUICK HITS

The Fall PONY Bronco youth baseball league 12U came to an end with the Rangers going 7-0, defeating the Buckaroos 13-3 in the championship game.
——————————————————
The Oceanview Knights defended their ISA Boys Middle School Soccer Championship, beating the Untalan Wild Cats 5-1 for the title. Stephen Rioja scored two goals.

More in Soccer