19 Dec Quality, Rovers Win in First Round of Beach Soccer Playoffs
[July 6, 2017 – Harmon, Guam] – Both No. 2 Quality Distributors FC and No. 4 Bobcat Rovers showed good form in the opening round of the 2017 LandShark Beach Soccer League playoffs Wednesday evening at the Guam Football Association National Training Center beach soccer court.
After dropping their final regular season match by just one goal, the Bobcat Rovers bounced back in the opening round of league playoffs, defeating No. 5 Crushers FC 11-3, to advance in the top half of the bracket.
The Bobcat Rovers amassed a three-goal lead in the opening 10 minutes of play, including an incredible bicycle kick finish by Todd Pangelinan from mid-court. A video highlight of the goal is available for viewing below and also is online on GFA’s Internet TV page, https://mycujoo.tv/ch/376?vid=41037
Arnold Torres and Matt Robles led all scorers with a hat trick each in the win and teammates Pangelinan and Cameron Lunod scored twice each. Brandon Auayan scored the Bobcat Rovers’ other goal. Justin Samonte, Jeremy Copple, and Tyler Guyton scored for the Crushers.
In the evening’s late match, Quality Distributors fended off No. 3 University of Guam Tritons 8-5.
Despite playing without substitutes for the early minutes of play, UOG’s defensive effort helped the team stay level with Quality through the first period, including a stop on a penalty kick by Dylan Naputi, filling in for Tritons’ usual goalkeeper Michael Topasna.
Quality’s four-goal second period eventually sealed the win for the No. 2-ranked team, which receives a bye in the next round of playoffs.
Though his team lost, UOG’s Joseph Quan led all scorers with a hat trick. Teammates Rafael Sablan and Jacques Diambra-Odi also scored for the Tritons.
Scott Leon Guerrero and Joseph Preseault led Quality with two goals each and teammates Caleb Barretto, Kyle Legozzie, James Bush, and James Lee also scored.
The double-elimination playoffs continue Saturday, with the Bobcat Rovers taking on No. 1 Bank of Guam Strykers at 7 p.m. followed by the Crushers against UOG at 8 p.m.
In the regular season, the Strykers’ Mark Chargualaf won the league’s 2017 Golden Boot award with 16 goals in three matches. Quality’s goalkeeper Brett Maluwelmeng edged Strykers goalkeeper Ross Awa with less goals allowed for the league’s 2017 Golden Glove award.
Quality Distributors’ Kyle Legozzie attempts a back heel shot in the air as University of Guam Tritons’ goalkeeper Dylan Naputi leaps to try to stop the shot in a Round 1 playoff match of the 2017 LandShark Beach Soccer League Wednesday at the Guam Football Association National Training Center beach soccer court. Quality won 8-5.
University of Guam Tritons’ Jacques Diambra-Odi and Quality Distributors’ James Bush fight for possession of the ball in a Round 1 playoff match of the 2017 LandShark Beach Soccer League Wednesday at the Guam Football Association National Training Center beach soccer court. Quality won 8-5.
Quality Distributors goalkeeper Brett Maluwelmeng (in yellow) dives to collect the ball before a shot attempt University of Guam Tritons’ Dominic Gadad, who eventually fell behind Maluwelmeng on the play in a Round 1 playoff match of the 2017 LandShark Beach Soccer League Wednesday at the Guam Football Association National Training Center beach soccer court. Quality won 8-5.
Quality Distributors’ RC Salas (No. 20) manages to lunge enough to block a shot by University of Guam Tritons’ Jacque Diambra-Odi (No. 14) as Quality goalkeeper Brett Maluwelmeng makes a move on the play in a Round 1 playoff match of the 2017 LandShark Beach Soccer League Wednesday at the Guam Football Association National Training Center beach soccer court. Quality won 8-5.
Bobcat Rovers’ Todd Pangelinan attempts to advance the ball forward against Orange Crushers in a Round 1 playoff match of the 2017 LandShark Beach Soccer League Wednesday at the Guam Football Association National Training Center beach soccer court. Bobcat Rovers won 11-3.
Crushers FC’s Joshua Cepeda attempts to make a play as Bobcat Rovers’ Matt Robles stays close on defense in a Round 1 playoff match of the 2017 LandShark Beach Soccer League Wednesday at the Guam Football Association National Training Center beach soccer court. Bobcat Rovers won 11-3.