Sunset FC wins Women’s FA cup in extra time

By Cayman Sports Buzz
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Updated: 12 June 2018

Sunset FC captain Elena Testori hoits the cup as her teammates celebrate

An exciting finale capped the 2018 Cayman Islands Football Association (CIFA) women’s season on 10 June, with Sunset Football Club defeating Scholars International 3-2 in extra time to lift the FA Cup.

Scholars took the lead in the 16^th minute when Susani Lucas caught Sunset keeper Jovani Hessing off her line and easily chipped the ball past her and between the pipes. The score remained until the interval.

Misfortune would erase Scholars’ lead in the 58^th minute. Kristina Seymour, who had been having a good game in goal, made the initial save on Jenna Edwards attempt on goal but while clearing the ball, inadvertently threw it into the back of the net.

Neither team seemed willing to give up the advantage at this stage an battled keenly for the silverware on offer. Rai Kalpana had a chance in the 80^th for Sunset but was just off the mark despite finding herself all alone with only Seymour to beat.

A superb effort at goal by midfielder Chelsea Green on a free kick from about 25 yards out gave Scholars the lead once again in the 83^rd minute, as the ball sailed past the outstretched hands of Hessing and into the back of the net.

A flurry of activity in front the Scholars goal in the 86^th minute ended with Shenel Gall getting her attempt past the keeper for the equaliser.

After regulation, it was on to two 15-minute extra time periods to determine who would win the last trophy of the season.

A tense battle continued with Sunset forcing the agenda. That tenacity paid off in the 10^th minute of the first extra time period when a Molly Kehoe corner kick into the box was headed home by Sunset captain Elena Testori.

No other goals would come and it was Sunset celebrating a victory over the league and President’s Cup champions, as they added a second piece of silverware for the season after winning the Charity Shield earlier in the year.

“It was a very tough game,” said Testori. “We had a great team effort and we managed to win it.”

She was full of praise for two of the team’s younger players – Lauren Scott and Molly Kehoe – who played vital roles in Sunset’s attack, creating chances and pressure on the goal.

Scott came on as a sub at the start of the second half and instantly made her presence felt. “We really needed her. We were all gutted when she wasn’t able to be here at the beginning but when she came on, she stepped it up and was one of the key players to let us win it. Molly also had a great game. She was the youngest player out there and we were really glad to have her and Lauren out front,” Testori said.

Head coach Alan Purvis also spoke to CaymanSportsBuzz.com afterward about the journey, including a win over Elite Sports Club in the semi-final. “If you want to win cups, you have to beat the tough teams. We came up trumps, thankfully, in this game. We had a bit of a frustrating league campaign, so to get a win the in the FA Cup final means a lot. That’s what makes it even sweeter.

Purvis also praised the fighting spirit of his team. “One thing Sunset has had the last few years, is that we never give up and that quality came through tonight. We did well to fight back and go on to win. That shows a lot about the character of the girls when they’re on their game, they can beat anybody. We just didn’t do it enough this season,” he said.

For Scholars, it wasn’t the way they wanted to end the campaign although it was one with much success, winning the league title due to goal difference over Elite and then beating Elite in the President’s Cup final a week earlier.

Starters

Scholars International: Jetena Bodden (capt), Ericia Burke, Kaela Ebanks, Ashley Ebanks, Chelsea Green, Bianca Hunt, Susani Lucas, Kristina Seymour, Arie Smith, Sabrina Suberan.

Sunset FC: Elena Testori (capt), Cassandra Bodden, Sophia Dilbert, Brittni Ebanks, Jenna Edwards, Shenel Gall, Jovani Hessing, Rai Kalpana, Molly Kehoe, Justina Range, Shalyse Reddicks.