Scholars wins easy season opener

By Tara Bush
Caymanian Compass

Scholars 12
North Side 0

It was baptism by fire for North Side and it was Scholars that did the roasting, coming away with a 12-nil win on Saturday at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex. The season opener was not "The Beautiful Game" that Pele talks about, far from it in fact. It was North Side's debut game. But for Scholars, the current champs, it was an easy walk through.

Scholars' cool dozen resulted in two hat tricks-one each by Cassandra Bodden and Kesherra Spence. Susan Eden recorded two goals. The other four were singles. It did not take long for Scholars to inflict the damage that came within fourth minute of the play.
Martha Godet's goal was from a set piece just outside the 18-yard box. Taking the free-kick Godet rifled a bullet into the upper left side of the net. Just as North Side settled down, Scholars scored again. This time Susan Eden set the play in motion. Eden crossed the ball to Bodden, who placed it in the back of the net. The score was now 2-nil in the eighth minute. It was becoming increasingly clear that North Side was out of their depth against the current league champion when Spence netted the third goal by the 13th minute.

For the next 12 minutes North Side seemed to hold Scholars to three goals. But this was due in part to Scholars own lapse in concentration. However, in the 25th minute Scholars had recovered. This time the goal came from Ofelia Hernandez, who placed the ball in the back of the net. Right before half-time Eden sent a smoker into the net, taking the score to 5-0.

The game reopened to the same lacklustre play. Scholars' #11 netted the second goal of her hat trick in the 41st minute.
With the scoreline climbing it appeared that North Side would have done well with an energy drink. Gatorade or Red Bull. A football fan even suggested that North Side should be plugged into electricity, perhaps giving them the energy boost they needed.

The game continued to deteriorate. But at least three North Side players showed some degree of talent for the game. Marlene Rivers, Bonnie McLaughlin and Tara Webster. The keeper as well had a few brilliant moments, doing the best that she could with the best that she had. Scholars continued to pour in the goals -- Sharon Collins 45th minute; Spence in the 48 and 52nd minutes; Eden in 57th, Bodden in 65th and finally Catherine Murray ended the scoring gluttony in the 66th minute.

When the match mercifully came to an end the score was 12-0.