daCosta Cup: Lacovia make long-awaited return to inter-zone round

LACOVIA High’s nine-year drought of Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) daCosta Cup inter-zone appearances ended yesterday, when they squeezed out a 1-0 victory over Black River High in a crucial Zone D clash at the Black River playing field.

The win sees Lacovia advancing to the Round of 32 as the second-place team on 18 points. B.B. Coke High, who also won, finished on 15 points and will advance as the best third-place team.

Both teams will join Munro College, which topped the zone with 21 points after maintaining a perfect record.

Lacovia’s coach Willard Douglas said ending the drought, which dates back to 2017, was a major motivation for his team.

“We kept focused on playing our football and staying disciplined while taking our chances when they came. We were confident and determined to end the drought, and that was the factor that drove us to get this done,” he said.

“We were just looking to wrap up the first round of the competition and break the drought successfully,” added Douglas.

Oraine Myers scored the winning goal for Lacovia.

“It was a tough game, but we knew we had to secure our place in the next round. The boys performed well and stuck to the game plan for the most part,” said Douglas.

“We were able to score the winning goal in the second half. They were motivated coming into this game,” added Douglas.

The ISSA daCosta Cup Round of 32 will start on Wednesday. Lacovia will host Old Harbour High, as they continue their quest to make an impact in the competition.

B.B. Coke had a smashing 7-1 victory over Mt St. Joseph Catholic and will face former champions Garvey Maceo High in the next round.

In Clarendon, Denbigh High continued to impress with a 4-0 win over Charlemont High. They will face St Catherine-based McGrath in the next round.

YESTERDAY’S RESULTS:

Lewisville 0 Munro 5

deCarteret 0 Belair 0

Mt St Joseph 1 B.B. Coke 7

Black River 0 Lacovia 1

Denbigh 4 Charlemont 0

Lennon 9 Tacius Golding 1

Central 2 Kellits High 1