All-Girls League Fall 2014 U14, U17 Divisions Officially Kick Off

The U17 and U14 divisions of Guam Football Association and The Score’s “Just Kick It” All Girls League officially kicked off this past weekend at the GFA National Training Center.

The Knights, new to the U17 division of the league, includes a mix of experienced national team players and new players, coached by husband-wife tandem Ryan and Kyung Shipman, with the latter as head coach.

“We entered a team in the All-Girls League to give an opportunity to new players or players who only play in the interscholastic league to gain more match experience, while also introducing those players to outside leagues that’ll keep them playing year-round,” said Knights assistant coach Ryan Shipman. “Through the All-Girls League, players are able to apply skills and tactics we practice during training sessions and make some basic improvements in technique, positioning, and team play.”

One member of the Knights team, Yae Kawauchi, who at only 14 years old was the youngest player called up to the Masakada, Guam women’s national team, for the EAFF Women’s East Asian Cup earlier this month, hopes to use the All-Girls League to learn tendencies of new teammates from her school.

“Playing in the All-Girls League will help us get used to each other as teammates and learn how we play,” said Kawauchi, a freshman at St. John’s School. “Also, we get to see how other teams play and how we compare to them.”

Kawauchi’s soccer resume includes playing for Guam at the women’s, U16 women’s, and U14 girls’ levels, as well as for the Paintco Lady Strykers and the Wings FC, club teams in the women’s and youth league, respectively. After getting to know her teammates from her school, she hopes to contribute her high-level playing experience to help them succeed.

In the Knights’ opener against the Sharks, Kawauchi scored her team’s lone goal in a 5-1 loss. Maria Abbey Iriarte scored twice for the Sharks and teammates Skyylerblu Johnson, Kiara Camacho, and Caylani Estoy also scored.

In other matches, the Southern Heat defeated Quality Distributors 4-0 with two goals from Colleen Naden and one each from Hannah Tyquiengco and Anna Armel.

The ASC Trust Islanders defeated the Tumon Typhoons Soccer Club 4-0 with two goals from Aubrienne Pangindian and one each from Rhia Pangindian, and Kaeliana Taitano. The Southern Cobras defeated the Geckos 6-1 Sunday with four goals from Zoe Surber. Nadine Calceta and Anastasia Vaughan also scored for the Cobras. Ana Aguon scored for the Geckos.

In Sunday’s U14 division, the Guam Shipyard Wolverines defeated the Southern Cobras 10-0 with four goals from Chloe Salas, three from Brianne Leon Guerrero, two from Hannah Cruz, and one from Anisia Topasna. The ASC Trust Islanders defeated the Paintco Strykers 2-0 with both goals from Isabella Bass. The Sidekick SC defeated Community First Dededo Soccer Club 6-0 with three goals from Autumn Rese Cruz, two from Roben Morellano and one from Alithia Ayuyu. Hyundai won via forfeit over the Hawks.