_{Photo: Corozal Elite FC – 2024 Women’s National Amateur Interdistrict Champions}

by William Ysaguirre

BELMOPAN, Sat. Sept. 14, 2024

The Corozal Elite FC dominated the Red Bank Scarlet Girls, 2-1, to win the first Women’s National Amateur Interdistrict Championships (WNAIC) organized by the Football Federation of Belize at the FFB Stadium in Belmopan on Saturday night, September 14.

MVP Kaite Jones (31’) and Roshany Narvaez (32’) gave Corozal a 2-0 lead up to the half. Narvaez had just entered the game after the first goal, replacing Maria Interiano at midfield and scored on her first play. Top goleadora Norielly Terry-Herrador and Sheila Castellanos pressed for more goals, with the help of Nelly Padilla on the wings, and 14-year-old Betsy Perez at midfield for Corozal. Lylia Sho anchored the Scarlet Girls’ defense with Aldisha Yat, Carmen Gomez and Marla Ical to help goalkeeper Circe Carrillo concede no more goals, but the damage was done.

Seidy Cal and Kiana Lewis led the Scarlet Girls’ furious counterattacks, supported by Geny and Riann Acal on the wings, and by Kelsey Polanco and Rossana Cho at midfield. Corozal’s team captain Heidi Morales, Nigelee Myers, Joshana Perez and Geidy Andrade gave them short shrift to help Best Goalkeeper Ahniyah Cocom keep a clean slate up to the half. Britney Zuniga and Maria Franco came off the Red Bank bench, replacing Rossana Cho and Riann Acal.

Corozal’s coach Raijon Cano reinforced his offensive line with Leticia Cano to relieve Castellanos, and Cruzita Cervantes replaced Cocom in the web. But Cervantes had no chance of stopping Britney Zuniga’s 40-yard golazo (86’) that screamed in under the crossbar from a set piece. The Scarlet Girls took heart at this success and pressed for the equalizer, but Corozal Elite hung tough into 8 minutes of injury time to secure the championship.

FFB president Sergio Chuc presented team trophies and individual medals to the champions – Corozal Elite and sub-champions – Red Bank Scarlet Girls in the awards ceremony after the final.

Individual awards: Most Valuable Player – Kaite Jones (Corozal Elite); Most Goals – Norielly Terry-Herrador (Corozal Elite); Best Goalkeeper – Ahniyah Cocom (Corozal Elite).