NSSSA Football Champions Belize High School of Agriculture Stingers – Photo Credit: William George Ysaguirre
By Rubén Morales Iglesias: The Belize High School of Agriculture Stingers are the new NSSSA Girls National Football Champions, defeating defending champions Georgetown Technical High School Egrets 3–2 on penalties after a tense 0–0 draw through 30–30 regulation and 10 minutes of extra‑time at the Marion Jones Sports Complex in Belize City. The two‑day tournament was hosted by Wesley College on last Friday and Saturday, February 19–20.
The final was a tight, tactical contest in which both teams cancelled each other out for 70 minutes. The match ultimately turned into a duel between two outstanding goalkeepers — BHSA’s Estrellita Cordova and Georgetown’s Nora Ayala — who produced save after save to keep the match scoreless.
NSSSA Football MVP Estrellita Cordova – Belize High School of Agriculture Stingers – Photo Credit: William George Ysaguirre
Ayala gave the Egrets the early advantage in the shootout, stopping BHSA’s first and third attempts while captain Kenya Perez and Riann Acal converted for Georgetown. But the momentum shifted dramatically when Cordova, already brilliant in regulation, took over the shootout. She buried her own penalty and then denied three consecutive GTHS attempts. At the same time, Zoany Diaz and star midfielder Betsy Perez converted and sealed the Stingers’ 3–2 victory.
Cordova’s heroics earned her the Most Valuable Player award and delivered BHSA their first-ever national girls’ football title, ending Georgetown’s reign and crowning a historic afternoon for the Northern champions.
NSSSA Football Subchampions Georgetown Technical High School Egrets – Photo Credit: William George Ysaguirre
Third‑Place Match
Central champions Edward P. Yorke High School secured third place with a 4–1 penalty‑shootout win over Western champs Our Lady of Mount Carmel High School after a scoreless draw in regulation and extra‑time.
EP Yorke’s LiAudra Graham, Cherika Humes, and Jeniyah Welch converted their kicks to build a 3–1 lead. Mount Carmel scored their first attempt through Jahxann Waight, but their next two shooters missed the target.
The match saw late drama when Mount Carmel goalkeeper Tiana Hegar saved EP Yorke goalkeeper Amarqua Arnold’s first penalty but was twice cautioned for stepping off her line. After Hegar’s ejection, Arnold converted her third attempt against the substitute keeper to close out the win.
NSSSA Football 3rd Place Edward P. Yorke High School – Photo Credit: William George Ysaguirre
Friday’s Semifinals
- Game 1: Georgetown Technical reached the final with a 2–1 victory over Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
Mia Garri opened the scoring in the 10th minute, but Marene Castellanos equalized in the 17th. The Egrets continued to press through Kiana Lewis, Kenya Perez, and Jolene Aranda, but Mount Carmel’s defence — anchored by Charlotte Cocom, Fernanda Arevalo, Katty Aldana, Kareli Scott, and Jahxann Waight — held firm. The breakthrough came late when Riann Acal converted 0in the 36th minute for the 2–1 win.
- Game 2: BHSA advanced with a 1–0 win over Edward P. Yorke High School.
The decisive moment came in the 24th minute, when Alysha Reymundo struck the lone goal of the match to send the Northern champions into Saturday’s final.
The BHSA Stingers will now represent Belize at the regional CODICADER Games to be held in Honduras in September.
NSSSA Football 4th Place Our Lady of Mount Carmel High School Crusaders – Photo Credit: William George Ysaguirre
The post Belize High School of Agriculture Stingers dethrone Georgetown Egrets to capture first NSSSA national title appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
NSSSA Football Champions Belize High School of Agriculture Stingers – Photo Credit: William George Ysaguirre By Rubén Morales Iglesias: The Belize High School of Agriculture Stingers are the new NSSSA Girls National Football Champions, defeating defending champions Georgetown Technical High School Egrets 3–2 on penalties after a tense 0–0 draw through 30–30 regulation and 10
The post Belize High School of Agriculture Stingers dethrone Georgetown Egrets to capture first NSSSA national title appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
