Smithereens, Paradise In Cleats advance to women’s finals

Matt Smith’s Smithereens and PIC’s Paradise In Cleats will face off in the finals of the 2008 Women’s Recreational Spring Football League this Saturday at the CPA Airport Field.

Smithereens were first to book a berth in the championship game despite finishing its semifinal match last Saturday against Marianas Eye Spectacular Blues in a scoreless draw.

Spectacular Blues took the offense early on in the first half with numerous shots at goals by Zoe Jewell and attempted crosses by Thinthin Conlon.

Additional strong offensive plays were contributed by teen players Emelaine Fejeran, Elisa Fejeran, Amber Roberts, and Rima Halaby.

However, Spectacular Blues were thwarted by big defensive plays by Smithereens. In the second half, Spectacular Blues pushed its offense even harder, but strong defense by Cathy Anderson and goalie Maria Ornes prevented the score.

Smithereens also had a few breakaways by Taylor Smith, Maryana Gramlich, Lovelle D’Lonsond, and Nola HIx, but were unable to break through the Spectacular Blues’ defense.

Paradise In Cleats later joined Smithereens in the finals after nipping Wild Bill’s Wild Fire, 1-0, in their own semifinal contest.

The winning goal was made by captain Brenda Schultz, who found the back of the net on a penalty kick early in the second half of the game.

Wild Fire had a chance with a hard penalty shot by captain Lindsay Davis, but a tremendous save by PIC goalie Noi Horey prevented the score.

“Our heroes of the day were our awesome goalkeeper Noi Horey and our defender Sonya Lizama. Noi blocked many shots throughout the game but the one that was most impressive was when she blocked a hard penalty shot from Lindsay Davis. Sonya, for her part, saved a goal by clearing a loose ball that was headed straight for the goal line. She also did a great job with her throw-ins and defensive field work,” said Schultz after the game.

With Saturday’s semifinal matches accounted for, Smithereens finished with the league’s top standing with 12 points. In second place is Paradise In Cleats with nine points. In third place is Marianas Eye Spectacular Blues with five points and in fourth place is Wild Bill’s Wild Fire with four points.

The Smithereens and Paradise In Cleats championship game this Saturday kicks off at 10am at the CPA Airport Field.
Spectacular Blues and Wild Fire will go head-to-head for third and fourth place at 8:15am. An awards ceremony will be held immediately following the championship game.