JFK Islanders win 2024 Challenge Cup preseason tourney vs Southern

18 Mar JFK Islanders win 2024 Challenge Cup preseason tourney vs Southern

[March 18, 2024 – Harmon, Guam] The John F. Kennedy High School Islanders avenged an earlier loss to the Southern High School Dolphins, winning 1-0 in the championship match of the Challenge Cup Girls High School Preseason Tournament Sunday at the Guam Football Association National Training Center.

JFK sophomore Jaelyn Han scored the eventual championship match winner in the 12^th minute, while the team held down the Dolphins defensively for the victory.

“It feels really good that the team was able to win the preseason tournament – it’s a good start for us,” Han said after the tournament’s trophy presentation ceremony. “When we had the earlier match against Southern we saw how they played; we had a good visual of what to expect after we made it to the championship match. We just had to fix what we needed to fix and then put it into the championship game. I believe our team improved on our passing and connecting more, as well as our through balls.”

Earlier in the day, the Islanders lost to the Dolphins 4-3 in a penalty kick shootout, but stayed alive in the bottom half of the bracket, winning against the Academy of Our Lady of Guam Cougars to make the championship match of the tournament. The tournament, now in its 10^th year, is supported by Japan Football Association.

This year’s edition featured eight teams: the JFK Islanders, Southern High Dolphins, Tiyan High School Titans, Academy of Our Lady of Guam Cougars, Okkodo High School Bulldogs, St. John’s School Knights, Notre Dame High School Royals and the George Washington High School Geckos. A handful of players from Simon Sanchez High School, Harvest Christian Academy, and Guam High School joined the eight teams in the tournament, as their respective schools did not field a team in the preseason tournament.

During the tournament, Guam Football Association donated football equipment to the 11 schools set to compete in the upcoming Interscholastic Girls High School Football League, coordinated by Guam Football Association. For the first time in over a decade, the interscholastic league will feature schools from both the Guam Department of Education and the island’s private schools. GFA President Valentino San Gil and GFA Executive Committee Member Peter Toves presented the equipment to team captains and school representatives.

“I’m really looking forward to the upcoming season because we’re going to be able to play against the private schools – this season will be a combined league,” Han said. “From here, we just need to be mentally prepared and build throughout the season because it’s only one round against all different teams. We look forward to the new challenge.”

In last year’s seasons, the Islanders were three-time winners of the ISA Girls High School League and the Guam High School Panthers won the IIAAG Girls High School League crown.

The newly combined league is scheduled to kick off Mar. 22 with two matches at GW: Okkodo vs St. John’s at 4:30 p.m. followed by Tiyan High School vs GW at 6:30 p.m.

The tournament also was the second of three main events of Guam’s celebration of AFC Women’s Football Day in the month of March. The first, the Sugar and Spice Middle School Girls Festival, took place Mar. 10, and the third, the Tokyo Football Association Friendlies Tournament, will take place Mar. 24.

On Mar. 24, GFA will be welcoming Tokyo Football Association’s U16 Girls Team that will compete in a friendly tournament with five teams from Guam’s leagues. The championship match is set for 12 noon.

All events will be held at the Guam Football Association National Training Center.