IBANEZ NETS 5 GOALS, SETS JFK SHOWDOWN WITH ST. JOHN’S

Girls high school soccer MVP Aubrey Ibanez scored five goals to lead the top-ranked JFK Islanders to an easy 6-0 semifinals win over the Guam High Panthers, while Hayden Wilson’s lone goal was good enough for the second-ranked St. John’s Knights to get past the Harvest Eagles 1-0 in the other semifinal match Wednesday afternoon at the GFA main field in Harmon.

This sets up the big championship rematch next Tuesday at 7 pm pitting the two best teams on island. In their regular season match, it was the Knights edging the Islanders 3-2 on April 6. JFK, however, got the higher seed at 8-1-0. St. John’s, despite being the only team not to lose this season, finished 7-0-2 with ties against Harvest and Guam High.

All of that doesn’t matter now as the two squads have a week to prepare and it will be 0-0 when the whistle blows.

MVP WITH 5 GOALS

In the nightcap, JFK star Ibanez scored early and often, knocking in her first goal just five minutes into the game. She would have a hat trick by the break as the Islanders led comfortably 3-0.

As the second half got underway, someone other than Ibanez scored for JFK as Cadence Guzman struck from long range.

Ibanez, however, would finish the scoring for JFK with goals at the 57th and 66th minutes to pull away.

“I would say it was a tough game,” the MVP said after the match. “We stayed composed and trusted each other.”

Ibanez added that her team needed to, “press hard and give it our all on the field to make it to the championship.”

And that, they did.

“It’s a playoff game and we had to step it up another level. We had a good game plan and it worked for us,” JFK coach Lad Manansala said. “Aubrey is the MVP for a reason. It’s her last year and she knows what she has to do.”

KNIGHTS DEFENSE PREVAILS

Sporting the league’s stingiest defense with only four goals allowed the entire season, the Knights once again relied on goalie Saya Green and their tough D.

“She is the foundation of how we defend and how we counterattack,” St. John’s head coach PK Harmon said about Green, who recorded her 9th shutout in 11 matches.

And the defense was needed as goals were hard to come by against the tough Eagles.

Hayden Wilson’s short goal in the 16th minute resulted as the deciding factor.

“Our mission was to control the midfield with precision passing and winning 50/50 balls on the floor or when in the air, and playing quick through balls to our forwards. Many of our opportunities came as a result, including Wilson’s goal — all three midfielders were involved,” coach Harmon explained.

From there on, the mighty Knights defense pulled off another stellar performance against a talented Harvest team.

“As far as holding Harvest at bay, our wingbacks (Sazzy and Kira) were especially effective at slowing their wideout attacks and giving us nice counterattacking opportunities.”

CHAMPIONSHIP PREPARATION

Both teams now have a full week to rest and prepare for the big game. The high-powered Islanders offense vs. the best defense in town.

“There are particular things we will train for to prepare for JFK — I don’t need to go into detail, but suffice it to say that we understand, for us, it’s always about the position and not the player. We’ve played with this respect for the game all season. We know how we want to execute and we are not putting a spotlight on any individual,” coach Harmon said. “We handled JFK in the regular season. Of course, Aubrey is a threat with the ball on her foot, and we respect her abilities. We know we need to stay focused and execute in ways we know are effective. We play as a team — anyone one of us can be a dangerous player.”

For MVP Ibanez, she intends to put the pressure on the Knights defense.

“Literally, just stay locked in, trust each other and high press from when the whistle blows,” she explained. “We are confident, but we have to stay humble because we know this team is going to bring it, but we know we want it more.”

“They beat us 3-2 in regular season, so we need to make sure we play better than tonight’s game,” coach Manansala said. “To beat St. John’s, we have to play as one.”

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