_{Photo: Red Bank Scarlet Girls}

by William Ysaguirre

INDEPENDENCE, Stann Creek District, Sat. Sept. 7, 2024 

The Red Bank Scarlet Girls are leading the Women’s National Amateur Interdistrict Championships (WNAIC), organized by the Football Federation of Belize, with 6 points from 2 wins in the semifinals over the Las Flores FC girls.

At the Michael Ashcroft Stadium on Saturday evening, Britney Zuniga’s brace (84’ and 86’) clinched the Scarlet Girls’ 2nd win for a 3-0 semifinals aggregate score, as Arella Cal (35’) had scored the winning goal in their first semifinal.

Then, at the Louisiana Government School field on Saturday night, Cattle Landing Dolphins upset the hitherto undefeated Corozal Elite FC, 3-2, in their semifinal leg 2. Roshany Narvaez had missed a free kick at goal in the first half, but Roshany (56’) made amends by finishing a cross from Betsy Perez to put Corozal on the scoreboard first. Maria Interiano and Sheila Castellanos pressed for more goals, supported by Nelly Padilla and Noreilly Terry-Herrador on the wings, and Perez and Narvaez at midfield.

Corozal’s coach Raijon Cano introduced Kaite Jones and Geidy Andrade to replace Castellanos and Nelsy Cano after the break, and Leticia Cano and Deymi Bethancourt joined the fray, relieving Interiano and Herrador. Ahniyah Cocom relieved Cervantes in goal.  

The Dolphins’ Jessie McLaughlin (56’) outfoxed Corozal’s goalkeeper Cruzita Cervantes to equalize, 1-1; and Tori Chaplin (58’) gave the visitors a 2-1 lead. Normalee Gomez replaced goalkeeper Brooklyn Panting in the web after the break; but Kaite Jones (81’) got the best of Gomez to convert a penalty, equalizing the score, 2-2.

Carolyn Bardalez and Ana Gonzalez came off the Dolphins’ bench to relieve Panting and Paulino, and Princess Kelly’s (90+3’) injury time goal gave the Dolphins the 3-2 win. However, they needed to win by 2 goals to tie the aggregate score and go into injury time.

Despite their 3-2 loss, Corozal Elite also qualified to the final by a 4-3 aggregate score due to their 2-0 win by Alisha Terry’s brace the week before.   

Upcoming Final on Saturday, September 14:
Red Bank Scarlet Girls vs Corozal Elite FC at FFB Stadium.