The Tribune

Freeport, Bahamas - This past Sunday was full of excitement as the Grand Bahama Women’s Champions League kicked off the start of its third season at the Freeport Rugby Soccer Club.

In real Champions League style, the official ceremonies started with the Champions League music and traditional walk out of players and officials, escorted by youth players from the grassroots league.

League coordinator, Mary Woodside-Knowles, said that two weeks prior to the opening, the league had a draft day at the YMCA and players, family and fans congregated to hear the announcement of the team the new players would play on.

New players were welcomed by coach and veteran players and given the jersey of the team they would play on in the Champions league.

“The purpose of the draft is to have balanced teams to ensure competitive games,” said coach Woodside-Knowles, who is also co-founder of the Grand Bahama Girls’ Soccer Developmental League.

The games kicked off with the 2016 Champion League winner Borussia Dortmund (sponsored by Sanitation Services) playing Barcelona FC (sponsored by Subway).

The final score was 3-2 for Borussia Dortmund. Goal scorers For Dortmund were Abigail Victor with 2 goals and Abigail Simms with 1 goal. Carlie McBrayer got both of Barcelona’s goals.

In the second game Chelsea (sponsored by Pharma Chem) came back in the 83rd minute to tie Real Madrid (sponsored by Paradox) 1-1. The two #9’s on the team scored the goals. Ruby Brown for Real Madrid and Shannon Albury for Chelsea FC.

Sunday, April 2

2:30pm - Borussia Dortmund

faces Real Madrid

4:15pm - Chelsea takes on

Real Madrid