Team Herald
PANJIM: St Xavier’s College, Mapusa secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over SS Dempo College, Panjim to advance in the ongoing GFA Inter-College Women’s League at Goa University ground, Taleigao Plateau, on Thursday.
At half-time, St Xavier’s led with a slim margin of 1-0.
St Xavier’s College started off on a good note and put a lot of pressure on the defenders of Dempo College. Captain Sybyl Fernandes and Marina Rodrigues of Dempo College thwarted
many moves made by St Xavier’s forwards and denied them any room to make serious attempts at goal.
Luica Simoes was a standout player for St Xavier’s and her skill and individual play gave her team a 1-0 lead with a fine strike at goal in the 27th minute of play.
Dempo College did not back down and quickly re-grouped and started advancing the ball forward led by their hard-working mid-fielder Keenda D’Souza. Dempo College made several attempts to put the ball in the opposition’s net but Bethany Remedios and Jennys Silva stood rock-solid in defence for St Xavier’s.
Changing over, Dempo College came out with full determination and the match became a hotly contested one. In the 47th minute, Lizanka de Melo almost scored an equalizer only to be denied by the St Xavier’s goalkeeper. Dempo College came pressing forward and their hard work was paid off with Anushka Fernandes finding the back of the net in the 56th minute of play to tie the match 1-1.
Hardly had Dempo College scored the equalizer, St Xavier’s played a nice counter attack move with Valencia Rego and Steffi Fernandes making quickshort passes and a fine through pass to forward Luica. Luica made no mistake in front of the goal mouth and let a low drive shot that got St Xavier’s their winning goal in the 57th minute with the final score of 2-1 in favour of St Xavier’s College.
The Quadros Motors Player of the Match award was bagged by Luica Simoes of St Xavier’s College.
