A new champion will be crowned today when West Ruimveldt lock horns with St. Angela’s in the grand finale of the third annual Smalta Girls Pee Wee football tournament at the Ministry of Education ground, Carifesta Avenue.
After four days of action and 66 goals scored, the two unlikely finalists emerged after West Ruimveldt overcame fierce rival St. Pius and St. Angela’s downed South Ruimveldt in the semi-finals.
Perennial contender, West Ruimveldt enter the contest as the attacking juggernaut and favourite following 12 conversions in five matches at a rate of 2.4 goals per match.
Most Valuable Player (MVP) contender and current tournament top scorer Gabriella McGarrell has been the standout player of the event with a new record of nine goals. The previous record of eight goals was held by Aliyah Elaine of Enterprise and this was set in the inaugural edition.
Such has been the dominance of McGarrell, that the likes of Amanda McPherson, Shaqwana Wright and Priscilla Williams have scored the other three goals.
Defensively, West Ruimveldt has conceded three times. However, a closer examination reveals that the team has yet to be breached in the elimination rounds, following clean-sheets in the quarterfinal and semi-final showdowns.
On the other hand, St. Angela’s are aiming to follow in the footsteps of their boys’ team and clinch the championship. If this is accomplished, the Thomas Street unit will become the second team to achieve the feat after Stella Maris in 2014.
Unlike their opponents, St. Angela’s is a team rooted in defensive methodology. This is evident by the numbers which indicate that they have only conceded twice in the five matches.
Offensively, St. Angela’s has recorded four goals, with diminutive Carletta Ross and St. Jules scoring two goals each.
In the third place playoff, South Ruimveldt will faceoff with St. Pius.
Meanwhile, playoff for the 5-16 positions will take place prior to the start of the third place playoff. In the 5-8 section, dethroned champions St. Stephen’s will oppose North Georgetown and Enterprise will tackle St. Agnes at 11:30hrs.
In the 9-12 section, Smith Memorial will engage F.E. Pollard whilst Tucville will battle Winfer Gardens from 10:45hrs. In the 13-16 section, Redeemer will battle St. Gabriel’s while St. Margaret’s will engage Stella Maris at 10:00hrs.
