BELIZE CITY, Mon. July 4, 2022
The National Amateur Women’s League (NAWL) 2022 Opening Season is drawing nearer to its championship final. This past weekend, the Semifinals Leg 2 were played in both Group A and Group B, and for the first time since their inception, defending champions Jewel Fury will not be in the league finals, having been edged out in a penalty shootout by San Pedro Pirates in Leg 2 of the Group A semifinals.
Having lost their Group A Semifinal
Leg 1 by a 2-1 score to San Pedro Pirates at Ambergris Stadium the previous Saturday, June 25, defending champion Jewel Fury rebounded to take the Semifinal Leg 2 by a 1-0 margin at the Isidoro Beaton Stadium this past Saturday, July 2, to tie up the aggregate score at 2-2. The game-winner for Jewel Fury came in second half from Eris Galdamez (71’ ). But the ensuring penalty shootout was decided by a penalty conversion from Iamara Baptist of San Pedro Pirates, who thus claimed the Group A Semifinal series victory and a spot in the NAWL Group A Finals.
The other Group A Semifinal Leg 2 was more decisive, as Sagitun Girlz repeated their 3-0 score from a week ago against Rumberas FC on Saturday at the M.A. Stadium in Independence, to make it an aggregate 6-0 margin and a spot in the Group A Finals. Netting a goal each in Leg 2 for Sagitun Girlz were Sabrina Eiley (6’), Reah Burgess (8’) and Zulma Ortega (18’).
It was a foregone conclusion in their Group B Semifinal Leg 2, after Bay City FC had crushed Santa Elena Strikers, 11-0, in Leg 1 the previous week at the Norman Broaster Stadium. It was more of the same this past Saturday at the Ricalde Stadium, where this time it was Bay City, 10-0, over Santa Elena Strikers, for a 21-0 aggregate final score. Sharing the scoring in the Bay City 10-0 victory on Saturday were Darina Tzul (4’ & 8’), Alisha Terry (10’, 12’ & 44’), Nora Ramirez (27’) and Kaite Jones (18’, 67’, 75’ & 78’).
The other Group B Semifinal Leg 2 was a bit more interesting since the 3-0 victory the previous week by Wagiya United SC over Cayo Dreamers at the Carl Ramos Stadium was not insurmountable. But Wagiya United came away from the Norman Broaster Stadium on Saturday with a 1-0 victory over Cayo Dreamers, to make it a 4-0 aggregate score. Wagiya’s goal was by Taryn Arnold (33’).
Championship, promotion & relegation
Up next are the Championship Finals, where Group A plays for the 20200 NAWL Opening Season Championship, and the Group B winner gets to advance to Group A in the NAWL 2022 Closing Season. The last place team in Group A, Verdes Rebels is automatically relegated to Group B for the Closing Season.
Upcoming NAWL 2022 Opening Season Group Finals schedule:
Saturday, July 9, NAWL Group Finals
4:00 p.m. – (Group B Final) Bay City FC vs Wagiya United SC – FFB Stadium
6:00 p.m. – (Group A Final) Sagitun Girlz vs San Pedro Pirates – FFB Stadium