_{UB Lady Black Jaguars – 2x ATLIP 2025 National Female Football Champions}

by William Ysaguirre (Freelance Writer)

INDEPENDENCE, Stann Creek District, Sat. Mar. 29, 2025

The University of Belize Lady Black Jaguars won their 2nd consecutive Association of Tertiary Level Institutions of Belize (ATLIB) national football championship at the tournament hosted by Independence Junior College (IJC) at the Michael Ashcroft Stadium in Independence Village on Friday and Saturday, March 28-29.

_{Independence Junior College girls – ATLIP 2025 National Female Football Sub-Champions}

There was no female representative team from the Central Zone, so the 3 teams played a single round robin, with the final standings to be determined by points for wins and losses.

In Game 3 Saturday morning, the UB women clinched their title by a 6-1 win over the Northern zone champions, the Centro Escolar Mexico Junior College (CEMJC) Stallions. Jurshia Zuniga (23’ & 30’) and Aaliyah Herbert (24’ & 25+2’) led the UB offensive as each scored a brace. Playmaker Tanya Teul (21’) had opened the scoreboard and supported their attack, along with Loraine Cal, Kristine Itzab and Shaylalee Flowers at midfield.

Britany Caal and Marilyn Guerra led the CEMJC counterattack, with the help of Trishta Mendez, Joselynn Quitana, and Elizabeth Chan at midfield. But Jahnia Arnold anchored the UB defense with Shamika Lambey, Tori Ramirez and Jerlin Salazar to help goalkeeper Dennisa Mairena keep a clean slate up to the half.

Natasha Prado anchored the CEMJC defence with Jocelyn Sho, Marisa Cocom and Sheymi Moralez. CEMJC coach Hugo Gonzalez also refreshed his offensive lineup with Ayiia Bol and Eddriely Keme, and Aysline Humes on defense to help goalkeeper Ahniyah Cocom concede fewer goals in the 2nd half.

Coach Joseph Waight reinforced his attack formation with Mia Requeña, Sharon Johnson, Laila Waight and Rajaila Coc, and Gilena Ramirez took over in the web from Mairena, as Kristine Itzab (39’) drove in a 6th goal for UB. Marylin Guerra (47’) converted a penalty for CEMJC’s only consolation goal.

In Game 1 Friday afternoon, the Western zone champions – UB girls schooled the Southern zone champions, the Independence Junior College girls, 5-0, led by Jurshia Zuniga’s brace (19’ & 41’), and other goals by Aaliyah Herbert (5’), Loraine Cal (7’) and Shamika Lambey (24’).

In Game 2, Friday’s nightcap, the Independence girls enjoyed their first win, 1-0, in sudden death penalties over the CEMJC girls, after regulation time ended in a scoreless draw. The penalty shootout remained tied at 2-2 after each team had tried 5 kicks. IJC’s Carmen Campos and Aryn Ramsey converted their tries, but so did CEMJC’s Shayma Moralez and Marylin Guerra, sending the shootout into sudden death. Angie Cal scored for IJC, so did Jazela Chan for CEMJC; and the score remained tied at 3-3 after 6 tries. Tamera Garbutt scored the winning penalty for IJC, as CEMJC’s 7th kicker missed.

ATLIB Sports director Faustino Yaxcal presented team trophies and individual medals to the champions, sub-champions and 3rd place winners at the closing ceremonies after the finals.