Bacolod Football - St. Scho bags Nopsscea title

ST. Scholastica's Academy High School ladies football team emerged as champions of the 2009 Negros Occidental Private Schools Sports Cultural and Educational Association (Nopsscea) competition.

This, after posting a hard-earned 2-1 victory over University of St. La Salle last Sunday, December 6, at the USLS pitch.

The Warren Concepcion-mentored squad scored goals courtesy of Aina Martin in the 14th minute of the first half and Carmela Lizares in the 50th minute of the second half. The lone USLS goal came in the 17th minute from a free kick by Chermaine Guancia.

USLS, mentored by former RP team coach Freddie Lazarito, fought gallantly until the final whistle but failed to score the equalizer until the final buzzer.

In the battle for third place, LCC-Garden Ville, coached by Philippe Soliguin, nipped St. John's Institute, 1-0.

SSA posted elimination round victories over LCC (10-1), Tangub Christian Academy (28-0), St. Benilde School by default, SJI (8-0) and suffered a 2-1 loss to USLS.

In last Saturday's crossover semifinals, USLS prevailed over LCC Gardenville, 5-1, while St. Scholastica's Academy likewise defeated St. John's Institute, 5-0, to arrange last Sunday's title match.

The roster of the St. Scholasticas Academy High School Team is as follows: Aina Martin, Carmela Lizares, Alexa Dabao, Ellyca Lacson, Ma. Celina Dofitas, Dayanarra Uygioco, Kristina Legaspi, Ida Vecino, Leia Molinos, Nastascia Gonzalez, Hannah Servida, Angel Balan, Nicole Jalandoni, Katrina Palencia, Isa Martin, Koleen Rio.

Team Captain is sophomore Aina Martin.

Except for Ma. Celina Dofitas and Isa Martin, who are graduating this year, the rest of the team will be intact for next year's campaign. With the same line-up they look forward to do a three-peat after being back-to-back champions this year from last year's victory.

The St. Scholastica's booters are also back-to-back champions in the annual Dave Fegidero Memorial Football Cup series which is staged annually in honor of the late University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos forward who died last year in a motorcycle accident in Thailand where he was working.

Concepcion, a former varsity standout of the University of Negros Occidental Recoletos, has Paul Espinosa and Rinelle de Oca as assistant coaches. (HCV)

Sun Star Bacolod