A gripping penalty shootout unfolded at the Marigot Playing Field on Saturday, May 9, that crowned Roseau Valley the champions of the Saint Lucia Football Association Western Zone Under-20 Men’s District Tournament. After 90 minutes of regulation play ended in a 1-1 deadlock, Roseau Valley held their nerve from the spot, converting all five of their penalties and securing a match-winning save from their goalkeeper to edge Canaries by a final score of 5-4.
The match delivered drama from start to finish. Canaries, who advanced to the final after a strong semifinal performance, drew first blood against Roseau Valley, the tournament’s highest-scoring outfit that had conceded the fewest goals throughout the zonal competition. With regulation time winding down and just two minutes remaining on the clock, Canaries conceded the equalizing goal that sent the contest to penalties, where Roseau Valley’s goalkeeper made the decisive stop on Canaries’ final spot kick to seal the title.
With the Western Zone crown in hand, Roseau Valley now joins three other zonal youth champions: Gros Islet, Dennery, and Soufriere. In the tournament’s third-place playoff, South Castries claimed the bronze medal, while Anse La Raye finished in fourth position. Individual honors went to Armani Lesmond of South Castries, who topped the tournament’s goal-scoring charts with four total goals. Close behind him were Zyhym Jn Charles of Canaries—who netted two goals in the team’s semifinal victory over South Castries—and his teammate Jaden Longville, each ending the competition with three goals apiece.
All four zonal champions will now turn their attention to the upcoming Blackheart Football Tournament, an interdistrict knockout competition kicking off this weekend in Vieux Fort. This year marks a historic milestone for the tournament, as Under-20 men’s teams will compete in the event for the first time ever, giving the young champions a chance to test their skill against the best youth squads across the island.