Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Rosary College of Commerce & Arts, Navelim, successfully defended their Goa University Inter-Collegiate Football Women Championship title with a commanding 6-1 victory over Don Bosco College, Panjim, in the final at Rosary Church Ground, Navelim, on Monday.
The defending champions started strongly and took the lead in the eighth minute. Ria Pinto rose to meet Vinoshka Fernandes’ corner and powered a header into the net to put Rosary 1-0 ahead.
Don Bosco responded with determined defending and tried to create opportunities of their own, but Rosary’s backline remained organised and denied them a way through. The first half ended with Rosary holding a narrow 1-0 advantage.
The second half saw the champions take complete control. Fatima Braganza doubled the lead in the 53rd minute with a well executed chip after the ball deflected off a Don Bosco defender.
Don Bosco pulled one goal back three minutes later when Simran Narvekar converted a penalty in the 56th minute after a foul inside the box, reducing the deficit to 2-1.
Rosary, however, quickly regained momentum. Vinoshka Fernandes struck from outside the penalty area in the 60th minute to restore the two goal advantage.
Amanda Dias then added another in the 77th minute after receiving a cross from the left flank and finding the net with a precise finish. Fatima Braganza scored her second of the final in the 81st minute with a close range finish following another cross into the box.
Ria Rajesh completed Rosary’s emphatic victory in the 84th minute, heading home from another corner delivered by Vinoshka Fernandes.
Braganza was named the Best Player of the Championship after finishing as the tournament’s leading scorer with 12 goals and playing a key role in Rosary’s successful title defence.
The championship concluded with medals and trophies being presented to the finalists during the valedictory ceremony.
