BELIZE CITY, Thurs. June 6, 2019– On Saturday evening, June 1, at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium, Jewel Fury Bandits of Belmopan were crowned champions of the National Amateur Women’s League (NAWL) 2018-2019 Closing Season, when they overcame a 1-0 deficit from the finals 1st leg with an overtime 4-2 victory over Verdes Rebels of Cayo. The 2nd leg had started badly for defending champion, Jewel Fury, as Verdes’ Florine Vasquez, who had scored the penalty in their 1-nil 1st leg victory, struck early (11’) to put Verdes up 1-nil again (2-nil aggregate); but Jewel Fury rebounded with goals from Anisha Nah (12’), Vaylene Lambert (30’) and Fatima Romero (43’), for the 3-1 lead (3-2 aggregate) before the half ended. Early in second half, Florine Vasquez struck again (47’) for Verdes, cutting Jewel Fury’s lead to 3-2, and a 3-3 aggregate tie. Despite being a player short due to a late first half ejection, Verdes Rebels withstood the Jewel Fury offensive until the end of regulation; but at the 17th minute of overtime, Jewel Fury’s star striker/midfielder Fatima Romero scored the tie-breaker to secure the 4-2 victory and 4-3 aggregate win for the championship.

In the trophy ceremony following the match, individual awards for the past season were presented, but the Verdes team players were not available for pictures with their awards. Among the awards announced were: MVP – Fatima Romero (Jewel Fury); Most Goals – Kaite Jones (Gladiators); Best Goalkeeper – Daysi Paiz (Verdes Rebels); Best Defender – Gisel Baeza (Verdes Rebels); Best Midfielder – Fatima Romero (Jewel Fury); Best Young Player – Florine Vasquez (Verdes Rebels); Best Coach – Werlin Medina (Verdes Rebels); Best Manager – Judy Centeno (Rumberas); Best Attacking Player – Jayda Brown (Jewel Fury); Most Entertaining Team – Jewel Fury; Fair Play – Santa Elena Strikers; 1st Place – Jewel Fury; 2nd Place – Verdes Rebels.

(All Photos: WILLIAM YSAGUIRRE)