04 Dec Rovers to Take on Strykers for Co-ed Masters Championship
The Paintco Strykers are the lone team left in the Rovers FC’s way to a fourth consecutive Bud Light Co-Ed Masters Soccer League championship following a pair of semifinal matches at the Guam Football Association National Training Center.
The Rovers, undefeated in regular season play, looted last season’s runner-up Big Blue for four goals – including two in the first 10 minutes – in the league’s first semifinal match in the playoffs.
Ian Lawton scored twice for the defending champions and teammates Takefumi Inoue and Carlos Barajas also scored.
In the late match, IT&E/IP&E began its playoff bid at a disadvantage, fielding just two female players to force the team to start with nine players. Not taking anything for granted, the Strykers’ Susumu Morimoto gave his team the early 1-0 advantage in the 13th minute, sprinting down the left flank to finish a long and high pass from teammate Se Lim, converting what eventually was the game winner.
IT&E/IP&E later fielded enough female players and managed to hold down the Strykers to just a 1-0 lead at halftime.
The Strykers doubled their lead five minutes into the second half when Enrique Fegurgur connected on a cross from Susumu Morimoto, getting his foot on the ball before IT&E/IP&E second half keeper Ricky Tyquiengco was able to grab it. The Strykers’ third and final goal came in the 85th minute after a foul in the box presented a penalty kick opportunity that Susumu Morimoto successfully finished.
The Strykers will next play the Rovers at 7 p.m. Saturday for the championship title. The teams played to a 1-1 draw in their most recent meeting in Week 5, and in their first meeting this season, the Rovers defeated the Strykers 5-2 in Week 2.
Big Blue will take on IT&E/IP&E for third place in the consolation match at 5 p.m. The teams split their regular season meetings, with Big Blue edging IT&E/IP&E 3-2 in Week 2 and IT&E/IP&E defeating Big Blue 4-2 in Week 5.
In the regular season, the Rovers finished with the best overall record, winning five matches and drawing one, and only allowing five goals by opponents in six matches. The Strykers scored the most goals as a team in the regular season, netting 17 in six matches.
There is no admission fee to watch the matches. A short awards ceremony will take place following the championship match at GFA.
After getting past her Rovers opponent, Big Blue’s Rhoda Bamba looks to pass the ball to a teammate during a semifinal match of the Bud Light Co-Ed Masters Soccer League at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. The three-time defending champions Rovers defeated Big Blue 4-0 for a ticket to the finals.
Big Blue’s Sherene Roberto intercepts a pass intended for the Rovers’ Steve Grantham during a semifinal match of the Bud Light Co-Ed Masters Soccer League at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. The three-time defending champions Rovers defeated Big Blue 4-0 for a ticket to the finals.
The Rovers’ Jenn Farley battles for possession of the ball with Big Blue’s Robbi Crisostomo during a semifinal match of the Bud Light Co-Ed Masters Soccer League at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. The three-time defending champions Rovers defeated Big Blue 4-0 for a ticket to the finals.
The Paintco Strykers’ Susumu Morimoto (19) and Kyung Shipman (20) converge on IT&E/IP&E’s Kevin Malakooti on defense during a semifinal match of the Bud Light Co-Ed Masters Soccer League at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. Morimoto scored twice in the Strykers’ 3-0 win over IT&E/IP&E for a ticket to the finals.
IT&E/IP&E’s Tony Liu tries to find a way around the defense of the Paintco Strykers’ Blanda Camacho during a semifinal match of the Bud Light Co-Ed Masters Soccer League at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. The Strykers defeated IT&E/IP&E 3-0 for a ticket to the finals.
The Paintco Strykers’ Robert Torres maneuvers around the defense of IT&E/IP&E’s Jennie Pham to the goal during a semifinal match of the Bud Light Co-Ed Masters Soccer League at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. The Strykers defeated IT&E/IP&E 3-0 for a ticket to the finals.