The Maryland Don Bosco Cristo Rey Catholic High School (DBCR) soccer teams were crowned undisputed champions in the first Cristo Rey Cup, the soccer tournament among DBCR schools from Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Richmond. Great soccer skills were demonstrated by MD students, both men and women, who were the clear winners of the cup.
The Cristo Rey Cup was played at the Georgetown Prep Soccer Field in Bethesda, where results showed that local soccer teams had the upper hand. The DBCR-Maryland Women’s Team defeated DBCR-Baltimore in semifinals 7-1, a score that allowed them to get to the finals.
In a demonstration of good defensive moves, resorting to fast running down the wings and cross passes, the DBCR-Maryland girls were crowned champions with an 8-0 win over DBCR-Richmond.
A similar result was obtained by the men's team. In semifinals they defeated DBCR-Baltimore with no major hurdles. The 4-3-3 tactical game plan allowed them to attack and beat their opponents 6-0.
The situation was very different though at the final match. DBCR-Richmond team showed a very solid defensive line, blocking advances by the local team and leading surprise counter attacks. DBCR-Maryland players were forced to rethink their advance strategies several times. They had to rely on their strikers’ skills to break through the other team’s defensive line. Finally, they were able to score an agonizing goal whereby they won the match and the championship.
The 1-0 final score reflects the nail-biting finale at the Maryland-Richmond championship match.
The women's champion team players were: Julissa Cedillos, Roselyn Centeno-Ramirez, Genesis Escobar, Allison Estrada, Angie Flores, Jaqueline Flores (First Team Captain), Maripaz Flores, Gabriela Gonzalez-Rivas, Ashley Guevara, Jasmine Guevara, Ashley Hernandez, Briza Hernandez (Second Team Captain), Daniela Landa, Sophia Lopez, Mia Lopez, Selena Morales, Angela Perdomo, Melissa Salgado-Miranda, and Heather Valenzuela. Technical Director was Alhamzah Al-Ameer, assisted by Aaron Moreno.
The men's champion team players were: Christopher Acevedo, Jose Barahona-Bonilla, Jeffery Beriguette, Leonardo Benitez, Eric Bonilla, Brandy Centeno, Christopher Escobar, Henry Giron, Brian Gomez (First Team Captain), Darwin Guevara, Johnny Lopez Bertrand, Luis Lopez, Gerber Martinez, Pablo Mena, Jose Miguel, Darwin Montiel, Jefferson Morales, Jessie Ortega, Daniel Paulino-Polanco, Wesley Prudencio, Giancarlos Reyes, Hugo Portillo, Diego Ventura, Jonathan Izaguirre, Facundo Escobar, Bryant Lopez. Technical Director was Manuel Flores.
DBCR is a co-ed high school co-sponsored by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington and the Salesians of Don Bosco Congregation. Located in Takoma Park, Maryland the school is part of the nationwide Cristo Rey network of 38 schools. It offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum for minority students from low-income families.
In celebration of their big win at the Cristo Rey Cup, DBCR-Maryland team captains were interviewed on TV. To watch the interview, click https://www.fox5dc.com/video/1136315.
