Georgetown Technical High School Egrets – NSSSA 2025 Female Football Champions
by William Ysaguirre (freelance reporter)
BELIZE CITY, Mon. Feb. 24, 2025
The Georgetown Technical High School (GTHS) Egrets won their first ever National Secondary Schools Sports Association (NSSSA) football championship, in the tournament hosted by Mount Carmel High School at “La Cancha” Marshalleck Stadium in Benque Viejo Del Carmen over the weekend, February 21-22.
Sacred Heart College Hawks – NSSSA 2025 Female Football Sub-Champions
In the championship final on Saturday afternoon, the Egrets clinched their title by a 1-0 victory over the Western regional champions, the Sacred Heart College Hawks of San Ignacio. Tamesha Moore’s 36’ strike in the 2nd half escaped the grasp of SHC’s goalkeeper Jamie Juarez to find the back of the net.
Eva Chuc and Nareinie Valentine led the Cayo girls’ counterattack, supported by Jahxann Waight and Kressly Andrews at midfield and Michelle Garbutt and Charlotte Cocom on the wings. Tanisha McKenzie anchored the Egret’s defense with Rosana Cho, Danyel Black and Kiana Lewis to help goalkeeper Circe Carrillo keep a clean slate.
Jolene Aranda – Most Valuable Player
Down at the other end, Mia Garri and MVP Jolene Aranda pressed for more goals, supported by Arella Cal, Jayna Avila and Leslie Villa. Kristel Melchor, Tiana Labrel, Jasselyn Valentine and Mya Miralda were hard pressed to keep it a 1-0 ball game. Marzenie Mar, Jenelea Castañeda, Jackeline Alonzo and Keylin Macu came off the Hawks’ bench relieving Miralda, Cocom and Garbutt; but Unique Green came off the bench to strengthen the Egrets’ defense and frustrate their every try, as Carrillo secured the 1-0 win.
The Northern regional champions, the Corozal Community College (CCC) girls won the consolation match for 3rd place, 7-0, over the Central regional champions Pallotti High School Gators on Saturday morning, led by Christel Tzul’s hat trick (3’, 10’ & 37’).
Neylanie Moralez, Espranza Orellano and Kalyana Gillett led the Gators’ counterattack, with the help of Kenya Gabourel, Thelma Cortez and Andreya Sanchez at midfield. But they made little impression on the CCC defenders, Angela Chinchilla, Athaina Ovando, Tatiana Tun and Brianie Gilharry, who helped goalkeeper Teresita Claros keep a clean slate throughout.
Shakeisha Jones led the Gators’ defense with Joselyn Martinez, Tishanna Pitts and Merlyn Pazos, but goalkeeper Caylee Espat could not stop Johana Basto’s brace (14’ and 20’), and Calisha Gilharry (8’) and Carissa Herrera (39’) completed the 7-0 rout.
In Game 1 Friday afternoon, MVP Jolene Aranda’s hat trick (14’, 31’ & 40+1’) led the Egrets’ advance to the finals undefeated, after Mia Garri (9’) had opened the scoreboard.
In Game 2 Friday evening, the SHC Hawks also qualified to the finals by a 2-0 win over Pallotti, with goals by Eva Chuc (16’) and Nareinie Valentine (38’).
In the awards ceremony after the finals, the NSSSA executive committee presented team trophies and individual medals to the champions, sub-champions, and 3rd place winners. Pallotti’s team captain Naylanie Noralez accepted the 4th place trophy. NSSSA president Francis Pascual presented the Most Valuable Player award to Jolene Aranda of GTHS Egrets.