BELIZE CITY, Mon. June 27, 2022
Leg 1 in the Semifinals of the National Amateur Women’s League (NAWL) 2022 Opening Season kicked off over the weekend, and defending champions Jewel Fury lost their Group A semifinal opener on the road to San Pedro Pirates, who need only a draw in the return match this weekend to eliminate the defending champs from the playoffs.
On Saturday night, June 25, out at the Ambergris Stadium, defending champions Jewel Fury lost the first leg of the Group A semifinals to San Pedro Pirates by a 2-1 score. The Pirates took a late first half lead through Elva Nunez (40’), but shortly after second half started, Group A leading goal scorer Khalydia Velasquez (49’) got the equalizer for Jewel Fury. It looked like a draw game until near the end when Iamara Baptist (89’) scored the game winner for the Pirates. Leg 2 of their semifinal should be a monster this coming weekend in Belmopan.
Earlier in the afternoon in the other Group A semifinal Leg 1 at the M.A. Stadium in Independence, it was the Sagitun Girlz cruising to a 3-0 win over their Independence counterparts Rumberas FC. Sagitun got a goal apiece from Sabrina Eiley (57’), Reah Burgess (78’) and Jurshia Zuniga (87’) and will be in the driver’s seat for the return match this weekend.
Meanwhile, at the Norman Broaster Stadium in San Ignacio, it was a northern invasion as Corozal’s Bay City FC ran over home standing Santa Elena Strikers by an 11-0 margin in Leg 1 of their Group B semifinal. Sharing the scoring for Bay City were Darina Tzul (19’), Group B leading scorer Anahie Blanco (14’, 38’, 46’ & 56’), Aaliyah Herbert (20’, 27’ & 47’) and Kaite Jones (29’, 31’ & 79’).
The other Group B semifinal was at the Carl Ramos Stadium in Dangriga where Wagiya United SC blanked the visiting Cayo Dreamers, 3-0, with goals from Angie Delcid (14’), Rainelle Moss (55’) and Shiniki Mena (77’).
Leg 2 of both the Group A and Group B semifinals are set for this Saturday, July 2. While the Bay City – Santa Elena Strikers rematch is a foregone conclusion with the 11-0 Bay City victory in Leg 1, the situation is not as decisive for Wagiya SC and Sagitun Girlz who both won their semifinals by a 3-0 margin, and the Jewel Fury vs San Pedro Pirates clash with only 1 goal separating them will undoubtedly be the game to watch this weekend.
NAWL Semifinals Leg 2 schedule:
Saturday, July 2
4:00 p.m. – (A) Jewel Fury vs San Pedro Pirates – Isidoro Beaton Stadium
4:00 p.m. – (A) Rumberas FC vs Sagitun Girlz – M.A. Stadium in Independence
4:00 p.m. – (B) Bay City FC vs Santa Elena Strikers – Ricalde Stadium
4:00 p.m. – (B) Cayo Dreamers vs Wagiya United SC – Norman Broaster Stadium