_{Wesley College boys reached the finals via sudden-death in penalty shootout}

by William Ysaguirre (freelance reporter)

BELIZE CITY, Thurs. Feb. 13, 2025

The Wesley College boys will challenge the defending champions, Gwen Lizarraga High, in the Central Secondary Schools Sports Association (CSSSA) football championship finals on Saturday afternoon, February 15, after winning through the semifinals at the Marion Jones Sports Complex on Tuesday afternoon, February 11.

_{Gwen Lizarraga boys are undefeated going into the championship finals}

In Game 1 of the semifinals, the undefeated Gwen Liz boys rumbled over the Sadie Vernon Technical High School boys, 4-1, led by Calvin Thurton’s brace (17’ & 26’) and other goals by Raymond Gentle (58’) and Jamar Bradley (60’). The Sadie Vernon attacks forced the Gwen Liz defenders to concede a penalty after 16 minutes of play, but Gwen Liz’s goalkeeper Shane Vernon was not tested, as the kicker sent the ball wide of the left upright. Only Nisan Mariano (52’) scored a consolation goal for Sadie Vernon.

In Game 2, the Wesley College boys eliminated the hitherto undefeated Anglican Cathedral College boys, 1-0, in sudden death, after a 1-1 draw in overtime and a 5-5 tie in penalties after 6 kicks each. The game remained scoreless at the end of regulation, and Deon Yorke (92’) struck first for ACC in overtime; but Giliyson Nuñez (110’) equalized for Wesley, sending the match into a penalty shootout. ACC’s Raymond Bowen, Raidon Alvarez, Lamar Smith and Lloyd McKesey all converted their tries, but so did Wesley’s Tyrese Henry, Eric Flores, Dejaun Baptist and Jahvyn Clarke. ACC’s 4th try hit the right upright, but Wesley’s 4th kicker missed the goal completely. With the score tied at 4-4 after 5 tries, the shootout went into sudden death. ACC’s Austin Valladares scored, and again Wesley’s Breylin Middleton equalized, 5-5. Then ACC’s 7th try hit the upright, and Jahyven Norales scored the winning penalty for Wesley.

The ACC boys will challenge Sadie Vernon Tech in the consolation match for 3rd place on Saturday morning, before the final.