BELIZE CITY, Mon. Feb. 4, 2019– The National Amateur Women’s League (NAWL) kicked off its 2018-2019 Closing Season with Week 1 games this past weekend. With the 12 teams separated into two groups – North and South – there were some interesting scoring results to start the competition. Four games were played on Saturday and two on Sunday.

At the M. A. Stadium in Independence on Saturday afternoon, Altitude shut out Ladies Freedom Fighters from Punta Gorda by an 8-0 score. Goal scorers for Altitude were Sabrina Eiley (6’, 28’, 64’ & 73’), Tamara Baptist (30’), Karisha Coe (48’ & 53’) and Julia Puerto (70’).  Meanwhile, at the MCC Grounds in Belize City, it was home standing Black Orchid, 5-0, over Royal Maya Hill from Cayo, with a goal each from Shanell Gentle (25’), Aaliyah Herbert (33’), Shardee Lozano (54’), Sarah Arzu (60’) and Twila Chaneb (64’). At the Isidoro Beaton Stadium, the score was a whopping 25-nil, as defending champion Jewel Fury initiated the young Santa Elena Strikers with goals from Kursha Pollard (3’ & 20’), Jennisha Scott (6’, 7’ & 37’), Julie Ponce (9’ & 20’), Jayda Brown (13’, 16’, 31’, 42’, 49’, 67’ & 70’), Anjay Quiroz (13’ & 16’), Fatima Romero (21’, 29’, 39’, 41’, 43’, 75’ & 80’), and Zandra Whittaker (28’ & 32’). And at Ambergris Stadium, it was a 4-4 stalemate between San Pedro Invaders and visiting Corozal Scorpions. Shaking the net for San Pedro were Erica Vallecillo (68’ & 71’ PK), Gabriela Cowo (73’) and Esther Galeano (86’); while hitting the target for the Scorpions were Maindy Canul (14’), Miriam Martin (39’), Ariene Benguche (75’) and Aneli Ek (90+’).

Sunday’s games were both very competitive, ending in 2-1 scores. At the Norman Broaster Stadium, Verdes Rebels got the 2-1 win over Gladiators of Orange Walk. Maricela Hernandez (39’ & 71’) netted both goals for Verdes, while Kaite Jones (24’) tallied for Gladiators. And at the Carl Ramos Stadium in Dangriga, it was Rumberas with the 2-1 victory. Jessica Lopez (25’) and Shanay Nasario (72’) scored for Rumberas, while Pumas benefited from a Rumberas own goal by Querlin Gomez (88’ OG).

Upcoming Week 2 games:
Saturday, February 9
3:00 p.m. – Rumberas vs Altitude  –  M.A. Stadium
4:00 p.m. – Dangriga Pumas vs Jewel Fury  –  Carl Ramos Stadium
Sunday, February 10
2:00 p.m. – Royal Maya Hill vs Verdes Rebels  –  Norman Broaster Stadium
3:00 p.m. – Gladiators vs San Pedro Invaders  –  People’s Stadium
4:00 p.m. – Santa Elena Strikers vs Ladies Freedom Fighters  –  Santa Elena Sporting Complex
4:00 p.m. – Corozal Scorpions vs Black Orchid  –  Ricalde Stadium