On Sunday, Feb. 10, the Rovers were crowned champions of the St. Croix Men’s Soccer League Knockout Tournament at Paul E. Joseph Stadium. The Rovers defeated the Helenites 3-1 in the final to continue their dominance on St. Croix for the season.
The game needed 30 minutes of extra time for a winner to be decided; both teams were tied at a goal apiece at the end of regulation time.
The Rovers opened the scoring through league-leading goal scorer Dwayne Trimm in the 29th minute from the penalty spot, after Alberto VanGurp of the Rovers was taken down in the penalty box by the Helenites goalkeeper.
The Helenites went on the attack and were able to pull level in the 68th minute through Kersan Marcellin from a timely pass from the midfield that split the defense of the Rovers. Marcellin calmly fired past the Rovers goalkeeper
It was one-way traffic; the Helenites were dominating the proceedings, creating a number of chances, on which they were unable to capitalize. At the end of regulation time, the score was deadlocked, and the game needed extra time to decide a winner.
The Rovers went ahead in the first minute of extra time. Jonas Verhoff provided a clinical finish at the end of a cross from Derrick Villafana after a surging run through the Helenites midfield. Rovers then laid the game to rest as Dwayne Trimm got his second of the game to end the match 3-1 to Rovers.
The next slate of games will be the USVI Club Championship, which consists of the top two teams from St. Croix and the top two teams from St. Thomas. The championship is scheduled for Feb. 23-24, at the Paul E. Joseph Stadium.
For any information, contact the USVI Soccer Association office at 719-9707or e-mail: [email protected]. Follow USVISA on Facebook at: USVI Soccer Association