St. Anne’s began on a strong note, with Gwyneth Fernandes scoring an early goal to give her side the lead. However, soon after the change of ends, Asagaon Union responded quickly, netting the equaliser within three minutes to level the score at 1-1 by full time.
The match was decided via a tense tie-breaker, where St. Anne’s Institute displayed composure and precision. Gwyneth Fernandes, Alifa Fernandes, Ayushi Naik, and Aisha Naik Gaonkar successfully converted their spot-kicks to seal the victory.
With this triumph, St. Anne’s Institute, Agonda secured its first-ever Under-17 State Championship title, marking a significant milestone for Canacona taluka, a region traditionally associated with sports like kabaddi and kho-kho.
Team manager Rev. Fr. Patrick Luis described the achievement as a proud and unforgettable moment for the taluka. Headmaster Cedric Monteiro also congratulated the team, along with physical education teacher Angelo Silva for guiding the players to the historic win.
