Friday, March 29, 2024

San Pedro High School boys win 3rd place at NSSSA football championship

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The San Pedro High School boys won 3rd place at the National Secondary Schools Sports Association (NSSSA), and hosted by St. Johns College at the M.C.C. grounds last Friday and Saturday, February 19-20.SPHS Places Third at NSSSA Football Nationals-21
The Isla Bonita Boys dominated the Western Zone champions, the Sacred Heart College boys: 3-1 to win the 3rd place game on Saturday morning. Omar Ogaldez and Ashton Lopez led the San Pedro offensive, with team captain Luis Valdez as the midfield general creating plays for Luis Mencia and Melvin Guzman to advance the ball up the sidelines. Ryan Carbajal anchored the San Ignacio defense, and with the help of Iser Teul, Chris Martinez and Eaton Lisbey, they kep the isla boys off the scoreboard for the entire 1st half.
Down at the other end of the field, Martin Mendez and Kahlil Rancharan were pressuring the Isla defenders, with Osvin Parham and Edmond Jones working the ball on the wings and Jamir Briceno and Hernan Palacio. Melvin Trujillo anchored the Isla defense, and with Wilmer Hernandez, Faustino Campos and Sergio Salgerro, they strove to contain the Cayo attacks. The boys from the west won two free kicks, but goalie Isaul Coba deflected the ball away. When Trujillo took down Osvin Parham inside the box, the referee ruled penalty and Parham made no mistake as he put the ball beyond Coba’s gloves; for the red jerseys to take a 1-0 up to the half.SPHS Places Third at NSSSA Football Nationals-6
In the 2nd half, the Isla Bonita Boys also won a penalty; and Luis Mencias blasted the equalizer past goalie Raheem Crawford: 1-1. Omar Ogaldez and Ashton Lopez kept on the pressure, and Omar scored a 2nd winning goal for Isla Bonita.
Coach Alex Noralez introduced Francois Ruben to strengthen his defense, relieving Ogaldez to secure the victory. Ashton Lopez iced the victory cake with a third goal for the 3-1 win. Marvin Hernandez replaced Lopez to deny the Cayo boys any chance of a comeback!
Omar Ogaldez had also scored the Isla’s 1st goal against the Anglican Cathedral College boys in the 4th game of the tournament on Friday evening. Luis Mencia stole the ball from ACC’s Darrel Flowers and centered into the box, where Ogaldez darted forward for an instant, one-touch shot. ACC’s Best Goalie Alvin Mangandi hadn’t a prayer; as Ogaldez buried the ball into the back of the net: 1-0!
Alas, the Isla boys could not secure the defense and ACC’s Akeem Sutherland broke through on the left wing to connect to a pass from Shaquille Matute on the right. Coba had no chance of stopping Sutherland’s shot into the net: 1-1 up to intermission.SPHS Places Third at NSSSA Football Nationals-11
After the break, Coach Noralez refreshed his offensive line-up with Ashton Lopez replacing Darvin Gutierrrez in an effort to regain the initiative, but ACC’s Matute played give and go with Christian Ancona, who drilled home a 2nd goal. The Man of the Match was undoubtedly goalie Alvin Mangandi, who flew like a jack in the box to stop a shot from Wilmer Hernandez. Gene Mcgloflin came off the SPHS bench and set table for Ogaldez to get off a shot, but again Mangandi dived for the save. Luis Valdez almost got the better of Mangandi with a shot that Mangandi fumbled, and he had to dive to stop the ball crossing the goal line
ACC also refreshed their offensive line with Kyle Samuels replacing Darrel Flowers. ACC looked to increase their lead as Trevaughn “Monster” Rhaburn executed a free kick to where Christina Ancona tried to head the ball into the goal, only to be denied by Coba’s save.
The Isla Boys’ fortunes darkened when Selvin Flores was ejected with a red card for a foul tackle on Rhaburn. The Isla Boys won a free kick, and Luis Valdez executed with textbook precision, only to be denied by Mangandi’s flying save. Sergio Salgerro relieved Wilmer Hernandez, but Mangandi helped the ACC boys secure the 2-1 win, qualifying ACC to the finals.
The Southern zone champs, the Julian Cho High School boys from Big Falls, Toledo, also qualified to the finals by 2-0 win over the Sacred Heart College boys in Game 1 Friday afternoon, with goals by Jarren Lambey and Justin Trapp. The Toledo boys schooled the ACC boys: 3-1 in the championship final; with goals by Jarren Lambey, MVP Clayton Fitzgibbon and Justin Trapp. Only Akeem Sutherland scored a penalty for ACC.

The champs, 2nd and 3rd place winners received team trophies and individual medals from SOL Belize corporate representative Rufino Lin. Individual awards were also presented to:
Best Goalkeeper – A.C.C.’s Alvin Mangandi
Best Defense – JCHS’ Enfield Nunez
Best Midfield – JCHS’ Clayton Fitzgibbon
Best Striker – JCHS’ Jarren Lambey – 2 goals
MVP – JCHS’ Clayton Fitzgibbon.

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