North Carolina State University’s men’s soccer team celebrated a remarkable achievement on Wednesday as three of its players received prestigious Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) honors. Among them, Saint Lucian striker Donavan Gusto Phillip stood out, earning a spot on the All-Conference Team and being crowned Offensive Player of the Year. The junior forward, hailing from Marchand, is poised to transition to professional football in 2026, having secured a contract with Major League Soccer’s Colorado Rapids. Additionally, Phillip aspires to represent the Saint Lucia national team, aiming to make his senior international debut. In his final collegiate season with the Wolfpack, Phillip dominated the conference with impressive statistics, leading in shots (62), shots per game (3.65), points (31), points per game (1.82), goals (15), and goals per game (0.88). His stellar performance cemented his claim to the Offensive Player award. NC State’s success extended beyond Phillip, with sophomore centre-back Nikola Markovic being named ACC Defensive Player of the Year and senior goalkeeper Logan Erb earning ACC Goalkeeper of the Year. Erb led the conference in shutouts and shutouts per game, showcasing the team’s defensive prowess. Senior midfielder Taig Healy, who leads the ACC in assists, also secured a place on the All-ACC First Team. This collective achievement marks the first time since 1984 that NC State has placed four players on the All-ACC First Team, a historic milestone in the program’s history.
分类： sports
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Melius recalled to Windwards for Regional Super50 cricket
Kimani Melius, the former West Indies Under-19 captain, has made a notable return to the regional cricket scene, securing a spot in the Windward Islands squad for the upcoming CG United Super50 tournament. This marks his first appearance in List A cricket after a two-year hiatus. The 24-year-old top-order batter from Boguis, Saint Lucia, is one of four Saint Lucians selected for the five-match series, which kicks off on November 19 in Trinidad & Tobago. The Windward Islands Cricket Board has announced a 14-member squad for the tournament, aiming to add to their four previous 50-over titles since the competition’s inception in 1972. Melius joins allrounder Shadrack Descarte and young fast bowlers Keon Gaston and McKenny Clarke in the squad, alongside wicketkeeper Noelle Leo and fast bowler Dillan John, who have been training with the team since early October. Melius, who debuted for West Indies B in 2018, has played 23 List A matches, accumulating 397 runs with a high score of 46. His best performance came in his debut year, averaging 21.60 in five fixtures. Descarte, known for his T20 skills, brings experience from the 2024 Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League (CPL) victory with Saint Lucia Kings. Gaston and Clarke, both promising talents, have shown their potential in regional and CPL matches. The Windward Islands will begin their campaign against the Leeward Islands Hurricanes on November 19 at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy.
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Saint Lucia win ECVA volleyball opener
Saint Lucia kicked off their campaign in the Eastern Caribbean Volleyball Association (ECVA) Under-23 Men’s Championship with a commanding 3-0 victory over defending champions St Vincent & the Grenadines on Wednesday, November 12, at the YMCA in St John’s, Antigua & Barbuda. The 2021 champions secured their win with set scores of 25-17, 26-24, and 25-12, positioning themselves as strong contenders for the championship trophy and a spot in the NORCECA 2026 Pan American Cup.
Head coach Levi Leonce expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, stating, ‘The game was very informative; it was a good start. We still have some areas to improve, particularly our blocking, but we were strong behind the service line. I expect the team to be more technically sound and convincing in the upcoming matches.’
Saint Lucia set the tone early in the first set, racing to a 7-1 lead and forcing St Vincent & the Grenadines to call a timeout at 12-6. Despite a late push from their opponents, Saint Lucia closed out the set 25-17. The second set saw a resilient effort from the defending champions, who led for most of the set. However, Saint Lucia fought back, tying the game multiple times before clinching the set 26-24. The final set was a dominant display from Saint Lucia, who extended a narrow lead to a decisive 25-12 victory.
In other matches on Wednesday, Antigua & Barbuda defeated Anguilla 3-0 (25-14, 25-10, 25-17), while Dominica overcame Grenada 3-1 (28-26, 25-16, 23-25, 25-18). Saint Lucia is set to face Anguilla and hosts Antigua & Barbuda on Thursday, aiming to continue their winning streak.
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Foster returns home, set for busy weekend at Caymanas Park
Jamaican jockey Tevin Foster is making a triumphant return to his home turf, igniting excitement among racing enthusiasts. After a stellar debut season in Canada, where he secured 14 wins, 23 second-place finishes, and 29 third-place finishes from 173 mounts, amassing earnings of CAN$252,194, Foster is poised to dominate the tracks this weekend with 10 scheduled rides. His packed agenda begins on Saturday, where he’ll partner with Cassini for trainer Adrian Prince in the opening race, followed by Dancing Aviator for Jason DaCosta in the third. The action continues with Green Gold Rush for Ryan Darby in the sixth, J Spieth for DaCosta in the eighth, and concludes with Provident for DaCosta in the final event. Sunday’s lineup is equally thrilling, with Foster aboard Princess Fiannie for Omar Williams in the first race, Money Monster for Adrian Prince in the fourth, and the highly anticipated St Elizabeth Distaff, where he’ll ride Fearless Force for Anthony Nunes. The Port Royal Sprint will see him team up with Is That A Fact for DaCosta, and he’ll wrap up the weekend with Girvano for DaCosta in the Jamaica Cup. Foster’s return is particularly poignant as Jamaica continues to recover from the devastation wrought by Category 5 Hurricane Melissa, which struck the island on October 28. All eyes will be on Foster as he aims to deliver a stellar performance on home soil.
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Hope calls for urgent fix of Windies’ powerplay failures: It’s been our Achilles heel
The West Indies’ T20 International series against New Zealand concluded on a disappointing note on November 13, 2025, as the visitors delivered their most lackluster performance in the decisive fifth match. Suffering an eight-wicket defeat, the Caribbean side handed the series victory to the Black Caps without much resistance. This loss underscored the persistent issues that have haunted the West Indies throughout the competition, particularly their top-order batting collapse, which proved fatal in the final game. Captain Shai Hope identified the team’s inability to adapt as the primary reason for their downfall. ‘The power play has been our Achilles heel for this series,’ Hope remarked. ‘As batters, we failed to assess and adapt as quickly as needed.’ Despite the criticism, Hope praised the lower-order batsmen for their resilience, acknowledging their efforts to salvage difficult situations. He emphasized the need for smarter, more assertive batting to disrupt the opposition’s bowlers. ‘We need to be more precise with our stroke play and not allow good bowlers to settle,’ he explained. Hope also highlighted the growing consistency of all-rounder Romario Shepherd, whose crucial contributions with the ball were instrumental in the team’s solitary series win. As the West Indies shift their focus to the upcoming ODI series, Hope stressed that immediate improvements are essential to turn their fortunes around.
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ALMOST HOME
In a high-stakes FIFA World Cup qualifier at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz were held to a 1-1 draw by Trinidad and Tobago (T&T) on Thursday night. The result leaves Jamaica in a precarious position in Group B, with their upcoming match against Curaçao now a must-win encounter to secure automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup. Jamaica currently sits second in the group with 10 points, trailing Curaçao, who surged to 11 points after a dominant 7-0 victory over Bermuda. T&T remains third with six points, while Bermuda is yet to secure a point. The match carried significant emotional weight for Jamaica, as the team aims to mark the 100th anniversary of their first international match with a World Cup berth, offering a beacon of hope for a nation still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Melissa. The game began with T&T capitalizing on their home advantage, with captain Levi Garcia testing Jamaica’s defense early. Despite Jamaica’s resilience, T&T’s relentless pressure paid off in the 85th minute when Kevin Molino equalized after Jamaica failed to clear a throw-in. Jamaica’s lone goal came in the 53rd minute through Renaldo Cephas, who delivered a stunning solo effort. However, the Reggae Boyz couldn’t capitalize on late chances, leaving their fate to be decided in Tuesday’s decisive clash against Curaçao in Kingston. Only the group winners are guaranteed a spot in the World Cup, with the best second-place team entering a playoff for a chance to compete on the global stage.
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ISSA announces resumption of high school competitions
The Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) has officially announced the resumption of inter-school sports competitions, starting the week of November 24, 2025. This decision comes after extensive consultations with various stakeholders, including participating schools, sponsors, match officials, and ISSA’s general membership. Despite the significant impact of Hurricane Melissa on several member schools, there was a strong consensus among stakeholders to resume the competitions. The Manning and DaCosta Cups will kick off at the round of 16 stage on November 28 and 29, 2025. However, junior football competitions have been postponed until the start of the Easter Term in January 2026. ISSA emphasized its commitment to leveraging these competitions as a means to support students in recovering from the physical and psychological effects of the hurricane. The association also plans to engage stakeholders in post-hurricane relief efforts through its competition activities. A detailed revised schedule for Netball (U19/U16), Basketball (U19/U16), and the Manning/DaCosta Cups will be released by November 20, 2025.
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Reggae Boyz leave TT singing the blues – World Cup dream ends
The dream of Trinidad and Tobago (TT) qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup came to an abrupt end on November 13, as the national team played to a 1-1 draw against Jamaica at the Hasely Crawford Stadium. The result left TT with no chance of advancing, leaving approximately 20,000 fans disappointed and distraught. The match, part of the Concacaf World Cup qualifying Group B, saw TT finish with six points, unable to secure a top-two spot in the group. Curacao leads the group with 11 points, followed by Jamaica with ten. Only the group winner qualifies directly for the World Cup, while the second-placed team enters an intercontinental play-off. Jamaica took the lead in the 53rd minute through Renaldo Cephas, but substitute Kevin Molino equalized in the 86th minute, briefly reigniting hope for the home crowd. However, TT’s inability to secure a second goal sealed their fate. Under the guidance of head coach Dwight Yorke, a legendary TT footballer, the team had shown promise but ultimately fell short of expectations. Yorke’s tenure brought renewed interest in local football, with packed stadiums and increased sponsorship. However, his frequent changes to the starting lineup and the exclusion of several experienced players drew criticism. The match itself was a rollercoaster of emotions, with TT creating chances but failing to capitalize. Despite the late equalizer, the team’s World Cup aspirations were extinguished, leaving players and fans alike in despair as they exited the stadium into the cold Port of Spain night.
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Reggae Boyz ratings vs T&T: High marks for Cephas, but 4 and 5s awarded after poor showing
In a tense Concacaf World Cup qualifier on Thursday, Jamaica’s Reggae Boyz were held to a 1-1 draw by regional rivals Trinidad & Tobago. The result saw Jamaica relinquish their group lead to Curacao, setting the stage for a decisive clash in Tuesday’s finale. Renaldo Cephas broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute with a stunning solo effort, but Kevin Molino equalized for Trinidad & Tobago with a low drive in the 85th minute. The match, closely followed by Observer Online, highlighted both individual brilliance and missed opportunities. Goalkeeper Andre Blake made five crucial saves but was powerless to stop Molino’s strike. Ethan Pinnock and Isaac Hayden stood out with solid defensive and midfield contributions, while Bobby Reid’s lackluster performance raised questions about his role. Cephas, named Man of the Match, shone with his goal and relentless attacking efforts. Substitutes Dujuan Richards and Tyreece Campbell made notable impacts, but defensive lapses ultimately cost Jamaica the win. The Reggae Boyz now face a must-win scenario against Curacao to reclaim their position in the group.
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Hillview clinch SSFL boys’ ‘Big 5’ crown with win over Speyside
Hillview College has solidified its dominance in the Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) by securing the First Citizens Boys’ ‘Big 5’ championship division playoffs. On November 12, the team achieved a decisive 2-0 victory over Speyside Secondary at their home ground in Tunapuna. This win marks their fourth consecutive triumph in the tournament, further cementing their status as this year’s champions. Khalid Jones, the standout player of the match, scored both goals in the eighth and fifteenth minutes, setting the tone for Hillview’s commanding performance. Speyside, the Tobago championship division winners, faced their first loss in the five-team competition, having had their previous three matches postponed due to inter-island travel challenges. They are now set to play rescheduled games against Mucurapo West Secondary, Palo Seco, and Presentation College Chaguanas. Meanwhile, Palo Seco, the south championship division victors, secured their first Big 5 win with a 2-1 victory over central champions ‘Pres.’ With Mucurapo West currently in second place, the race for promotion to the premier division for the 2026 campaign remains intense. Hillview College, with 12 points, leads the standings, followed by Mucurapo West with six points and Palo Seco with three.