Grant’s brace helps Dolphin upset Chase in Milo final

An upset of epic proportions took place at the Ministry of Education (MoE) Ground on Sunday night as eventual champions Dolphin Secondary ousted defending champions Chase’s Academic Foundation from their spot at the top of local school football.
The 11th Milo U18 final was one to behold, with thrills and chills at every corner, but when the dust settled, it was Dolphin Secondary who prevailed 3-2.
With a point to prove, Damani Hardy struck first for Chase’s Academic Foundation, curving a glorious shot into the net for the first goal in just the second minute of the game. However, four minutes later, Seon Grant levelled the score. Tucking the ball into the corner of the goal after his first attempt was saved by the Chase keeper, Flavio LaRose.

It was not too long after, in the 17th minute that Neeiaz Baksh put Chase’s Academy ahead, but their lead would not survive the first half. Already missing out on the services of star forward Bryan Wharton, Chase’s Academy added to their misery with prolific forwards Isaiah Ifill and Mark Glasgow riding the bench for most of the first half. To make matters worse for the defending champions, an infraction in the box resulted in Dolphin being gifted a scoring opportunity, which they happily took. Keeper and Captain Brian Brower made no mistake in sinking the shot in the 44th minute to equalise once again.
The teams went much of the second half without penetrating each other’s defences, that was until Grant returned to capitalise on a mistake from LaRose that gave him a clear shot at the goal, bringing up the game- winner in the 90th minute.

In the third-place playoff, West Ruimveldt’s Jeremiah Griffith led an entertaining comeback for his team to defeat Waramuri Secondary 2-1. Orwin Booker’s 36th minute strike was the difference between the two sides for much of the encounter, until Waramuri handed their opponents a penalty opportunity in the 85th minute.
Griffith connected cleanly for the equaliser and then found the back of the net again in the 87th minute to put his side ahead and eventually seal the win.
Dolphin Secondary’s Ezekiel Frank David was adjudged the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) while his teammate Brian Brower was the best goalkeeper. Chase’s Bryan Wharton was the tournament’s highest goalscorer, picking up 20 goals in the tournament.
Dolphin Secondary will cart off a $300,000 grand prize for a school project of their choice, while Chase’s Academy will have to settle for $200,000. The third-place finishers, West Ruimveldt, will receive $100,000 and fourth-placed Waramuri, $75,000 for the same purpose.