_{Pallotti Gators – 2025 CSSSA female football champions}

by William Ysaguirre (freelance reporter)

BELIZE CITY, Mon. Feb. 17, 2025

The Pallotti Gators will represent the Central Region at the upcoming National Secondary Schools Sports Association (NSSSA) football championships to be hosted by Mount Carmel High School at the Marshalleck Stadium in Benque Viejo Del Carmen on Friday and Saturday, February 21-22, after winning the Central Secondary Schools Sports Association (CSSSA) championship at the Marion Jones Sports Complex on Saturday afternoon, February 15.

_{SCA Seahawks – 2025 CSSSA female football sub-champions}

In Game 1, the consolation match for 3rd place, the defending champions Gwen Lizarraga High girls triumphed easily, 2-0, over the Wesley College girls with goals by Latisha Requeña (11’) and Shakeisha Jones (45’).

_{Jasha Bernardez – MVP & Most Goals}

In Game 2, the MVP Jasha Bernardez’s hat trick (50’, 62’ and a penalty 63’) led the Gators to a historic 3-2 win over the St. Catherine Academy Seahawks, after Maliyah Garcia scored a brace (8’ & 55’) for SCA. It was the first time in over 20 years that Pallotti had won the championship.

_{Caylee Espat – Best Goalkeeper}

In the awards ceremony, CSSSA president Melanie Williams presented team trophies and individual medals to the champions and sub-champions.

_{Neylanie Noralez – Best Defense}

Individual awards: Most Valuable Player – Jasha Bernardez (Pallotti); Most Goals – Jasha Bernardez (Pallotti); Best Defense – Neylanie Noralez (Pallotti); and Best Goalkeeper – Caylee Espat (SCA).

P.S. According to reports, MVP Jasha Bernardez will not be with Pallotti at the NSSSA championships this Friday & Saturday, as she will be with the U20 National Women’s football team at CONCACAF qualifiers in Antigua and Barbuda, where they will play against Guyana, Haiti and Antigua.