After falling short in the PWLB Final, Sagitun captain Sabrina Eiley says the team remains grounded in faith, gratitude, and the determination to come back stronger next season.
GIRLZ captain Sabrina Eiley received the PWLB Subchampions Cup from Jacqueline Pelayo, Women’s Executive Member of the FFB. To her left is Sandra Aleman, FFB Competitions Director. Photo credit: FFB
By Rubén Morales Iglesias: The Sagitun GIRLZ stepped onto the FFB Stadium pitch on Saturday, December 22 wearing their blue-and-yellow visitors’ uniforms, ready for one more battle to close out the 2025–2026 Opening Season. They arrived with belief, determination, and the heart of defending champions.
As the reigning 2024–2025 Closing Championship title holders, they carried the quiet belief of a team that had climbed this mountain before. And after a season full of turbulence, they hoped those colours would carry them to one more miracle.
But football has its own script.
Late in the game, Napoles FC found the decisive moments that Sagitun could not, claiming the 2025–2026 Opening Championship and leaving the Sagi GIRLZ just short of back-to-back titles. When the final whistle sounded, the disappointment was real. Yet at the centre of the moment stood their captain, Sabrina Eiley — also captain of the Belize Women’s National Team — steady, composed, and grounded in faith.
“Winning a championship is always the end goal when entering a league, and this season was no different,” Sabrina said. “That was our focus in the beginning, but after so many challenges and setbacks, our goal shifted to simply making it to the finals. We decided to hold on, to stick it out however it came. Most of all, to allow God to guide us and that He did.”
Her message was one of humility and gratitude, not regret.
“We’ve been in this long enough to know that staying humble goes a long way. Humble we are in both winning and losing. Truth is, we celebrate both, because there is always something to celebrate.”
Sagitun GIRLZ captain Sabrina Eiley received the PWLB Best Midfielder Award from Jacqueline Pelayo, Women’s Executive Member of the FFB. To her left is Sandra Aleman, FFB Competitions Director. Photo credit: FFB
She extended congratulations to Napoles FC and captain Roshanny Rodriguez, acknowledging the significance of a first championship and encouraging them to stay grounded and hungry.
Eiley also thanked the people who carried Sagitun through the season — families who supported them, sponsors who stayed loyal despite tight budgets, community members who helped with BBQ fundraisers, and the management team that balanced family life with football.
But her deepest gratitude was for her teammates.
“To my team mein, thanks a million for stepping on the pitch every game ready to battle, even through flu, injuries seen and unseen, and challenges spoken and unspoken.”
She praised the Sagi Seniors for their faithfulness, the Sagi Babies for stepping up sooner than expected, and the entire squad for their resilience.
Premier Women’s League of Belize 2025-2026 Opening Season Subchampions Sagitun GIRLZ -Photo credit: FFB
And she honoured #7, Sidney “Sid” Ruiz Montenegro, whose passing earlier this year — shortly after helping Sagitun win the 2024–2025 Closing Championship — left a deep mark on the team. Sid’s memory has been a source of strength throughout the season.
“Pulling out her #7 jersey is never easy, but it gives us strength to push a little harder,” Eiley said.
Then she added a final reflection — one that captured the heart of the night and the road ahead:
“We didn’t get the result we wanted, but we never lost who we are. That matters more than anything.”
When the night ended, Sagitun did not lift the championship trophy — but they did not leave empty‑handed. The players walked off the damp field carrying the subchampions’ cup and their silver medals, symbols of a season fought with heart, faith, and resilience.
They carried more than hardware, though. They carried unity, gratitude, and the promise that they will rise again.
“Sagi 4L. Always!!” Sabrina closed.
