Walker Cup final set: Mona to face Excelsior after semifinal drama

Mona High kept their hopes of winning a trophy this season alive with a 4-3 penalty shootout victory over St Andrew Technical High School (STATHS) in the ISSA Walker Cup knockout semifinal on Thursday.

The match, played on a rain-soaked Stadium East pitch, ended 1-1 after regulation time. Mona will take on Excelsior High in the final on December 6. Excelsior, six-time champions, earned their place with a 2-0 victory over Wolmer’s Boys in the opening match of the semifinal doubleheader.

Mona’s captain, Dantae Peralto, converted the decisive penalty after Jloyd Smith missed and Ajetai Marshall’s effort was saved for STATHS. The result continued STATHS’ penalty shootout woes, marking their sixth such elimination since 2017, including last year’s controversial 7-6 sudden-death defeat to Jamaica College (JC) in the Walker Cup final.

STATHS also lost to JC in four other penalty shootouts, including the Manning Cup finals of 2017 (5-3), 2019 (5-4), and 2022 (8-7 in sudden death), as well as the Champions Cup semifinals in 2022 (5-4).

In Thursday’s match, an own goal by Keeno Levy gave Mona the lead in the 43rd minute, but Alexavier Gooden equalised with a 90th-minute free kick to force penalties.

“It was a gritty performance,” said Mona assistant technical director Dane Peralto. “The conditions didn’t allow us to play the ball as we would like, but we showed composure, especially during the penalties. Winning a title is always good, and while the Walker Cup wasn’t our primary goal, we’re going for it.”

Mona, the reigning ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup champions, saw their title defense come to an end on November 15, following a 2-0 defeat to Kingston College in the quarterfinals.

Carlton Brown, Alex Suazo, Rabino Gordon, and Peralto scored from the spot for Mona, while goalkeeper Jaheem Williams denied Denzel McKenzie. STATHS’ successful penalty takers were Gooden, Howard Linton, and Delaney Whyte.

STATHS head coach Phillip Williams praised his players but acknowledged the disappointment. “Penalties are a lottery, and it comes down to nerves. The underfoot conditions were tough, but the boys gave their best,” he said.

In the earlier semifinal, goals from Kivann Salmon in the 41st minute and Terence Williams in the 79th secured Excelsior’s victory over Wolmer’s, keeping their hopes alive for an eighth Walker Cup knockout title.

Videos courtesy of SportsMax TV.