_{Photo: Czl Elite’s Betsy Perez (r) shoots vs Red Bank’s Aldisha Yat}

by William Ysaguirre

ORANGE WALK TOWN, Sat. Aug. 24, 2024

The undefeated Corozal Elite FC are leading the Women’s National Amateur Interdistrict Championship (WNAIC) tournament organized by the Football Federation of Belize, after enjoying their 2nd and 3rd victories at the Louisiana Government School field on Wednesday and Saturday nights, August 21 and 24.

The Corozal Elite girls upset the hitherto undefeated Red Bank FC girls, 4-0, on a rainy Wednesday evening, as the rains delayed the start of play due to water on the field. Kaite Jones’ brace (53’ and 68’) led them to victory, Alisha Terry (59’) added a 2nd goal, and Norielly Terry-Herrador (90+1’) delivered the coup de grâce.

At the Norman Broaster Stadium on Wednesday night, the Cattle Landing Dolphins salvaged a 1-1 draw out of the jaws of defeat, when Shardee Shadae (60’) delivered the equalizer, after Michelle Garbutt (1’) had given the hosts, Cayo Dreamers, a 1-0 lead up to the half.

On Saturday, Norielly Terry-Herrador (39’) gave the Corozal Elite a 1-0 lead against Las Flores FC up to the half.  Kaite Jones (46’) increased the lead to 2-0 after the break, and teen phenom Betsy Perez (78’) sealed the deal; 3-0, final score.

The Red Bank girls got the easy bye to their 3rd win, (3-0), when the Cayo Dreamers were a no-show for their scheduled match at the Michael Ashcroft Stadium on Saturday night.

Thus, Corozal Elite FC tops the standings with 10pts from 3 wins and a draw, while Red Bank Scarlet Girls rank 2nd with 9 points from 3 wins and a loss. Las Flores FC ranks 3rd with 4 points from a win and a draw and 2 losses, and the Cattle Landing Dolphins rank 4th with 3 points from 3 draws and a loss. Cayo Dreamers missed the playoffs with 1 point from a draw and 3 losses.

Upcoming semifinals Leg 1:

Saturday, August 31
5:00 p.m. – Cattle Landing Dolphins (Toledo) vs Corozal Elite FC (Orange Walk) – Victor Sanchez Stadium
6:00 p.m. – Las Flores FC (Belmopan) vs Red Bank FC (Mid-South) – FFB Stadium
Return matches will be on Saturday, September 7.