May 20, 20221 min read

Shirley’s, Matansa earn women soccer titles

SHIRLEY’S and Matansa football clubs topped their respective groups in the Flores/Peu luwal (Intermediate) Division of the Dove Women’s League by winning their final matches at the NMI Soccer Training Center. Matansa edged Kanoa Football Club, 1-0, on Friday, May 6. It was mostly a game of defense as neither team allowed any goals for the entire first half of the game. When it seemed as if the match was going to end in a draw, Matansa’s aggressive approach was finally rewarded at the 50th minute mark with Tawny Barcinas connecting what turned out to be the game-winning goal. By earning their fourth win in the tournament, Matansa secured the overall first-place spot in Group B with 14 points and 14 goals for this season. Shirley’s vs MP United Shirley’s Football Club finished first in Group A after drawing its match against MP United Football Club, 1-1. In the opening half, after a few exchanges, Shirley’s managed to clear a lane that allowed Mikayla Lopez to find the back of the net and give her team the lead, 1-0. Shirley’s focused on defense for the remainder of the game and were minutes away from securing victory when MPU turned defense into offense to catch Shirley’s off-guard as Rachel Salila slipped through for the quick shot that tied the game, 1-1. Despite the draw, Shirley’s still led in the overall standings in Group A with 12 points and 14 goals this season.