Royals to play Geckos for 2017 girls high school title

Royals to play Geckos for 2017 girls high school title

[May 18, 2017 – Harmon, Guam] The Notre Dame High School Royals will have the chance to earn back-to-back IIAAG Girls High School Soccer League titles when the Talofofo school team takes on the George Washington High School Geckos in the league’s championship match Saturday at the Guam Football Association National Training Center.

The Royals booked their ticket to the big game against GW after defeated the Simon Sanchez High School Sharks 2-0 in one of two semifinal matches played Wednesday. Underclassmen Hannah Cruz and Shyann Roberto cemented the school’s victory with one goal each in the lone shutout of the semifinals.

The Geckos overcame a defensive error in the fourth minute to defeat the Harvest Christian Academy Eagles in the early semifinal match 2-1. Miscommunication on a pass back to GW goalkeeper Tamica Hechanova put the Eagles up 1-0 early, but the Geckos would slowly redeem themselves as the game wore on.

Kiara Pangelinan scored the game-tying goal on a volley near the goal box off a cross from Colleen Naden in the 36th minute for the 1-1 halftime score. Two minutes into the second half, IIAAG Girls High School Soccer All-Island First Team midfielder Skyylerblu Johnson netted the eventual game-winner off a free kick from the right side.

The Royals, perennial champions in the mid-2000s, came up short between 2011 and 2015 before winning back the title last school year. The Royals have the head-to-head advantage over the Geckos, winning 2-1 in the regular season.

The Sharks and the Eagles will play for third place before the championship match with a 5 p.m. kick off time.

The admission fee to watch Saturday’s double header is $5 per adult and $2 per student. Fans will have the opportunity to watch the match from existing concrete bleachers or from the recently installed bleachers on the rooftop of GFA’s newest building.

Starting 11 players from George Washington High School Geckos pose for a photo ahead of the team’s semifinal match of the IIAAG Girls High School Soccer League against Harvest Christian Academy Eagles at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. GW won 2-1.

Starting 11 players from Harvest Christian Academy Eagles pose for a photo ahead of the team’s semifinal match of the IIAAG Girls High School Soccer League against George Washington High School Geckos at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. GW won 2-1.

Starting 11 players from Notre Dame High School Royals pose for a photo ahead of the team’s semifinal match of the IIAAG Girls High School Soccer League against Simon Sanchez High School Sharks at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. ND won 2-0.

 

Starting 11 players from Notre Dame High School Royals pose for a photo ahead of the team’s semifinal match of the IIAAG Girls High School Soccer League against Simon Sanchez High School Sharks at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. ND won 2-0.