The Saipan Southern High School team members pose for a photo before their opening match in the boys high school division of the PSS-NMIFA Interscholastic Soccer League SY24-25 at the NMI Soccer Training Center on Monday.
SSHS’ Monico Claridades fights off two defenders to maintain the possession during a match against SIS V in the boys high school division of the PSS-NMIFA Interscholastic Soccer League SY24-25 at the NMI Soccer Training Center on Monday.
SAIPAN Southern High School kicked off the soccer season with a bang, as they earned back-to-back wins last week to sit at the top of the leaderboards in the boys high school division of the PSS-NMIFA Interscholastic Soccer League SY4-25.
At the NMI Soccer Training Center on Monday, SSHS bagged their debut win by silencing Saipan International School’s varsity team, 2-0.
In the first half, both teams battled through an endless exchange of nail-biting moments, but neither was able to find the back of the net.
After feeling out their opponents, SSHS reassessed their strategy and, in the second half, worked toward their strengths and moved the possession forward.
Slowly but surely, SIS V’s defensive line was broken, leaving an opening and allowing SSHS to find Monico Claridades, who was open for the finish at the 53rd minute mark as SSHS seized the lead, 1-0.
SSHS continued the forward pressure and SIS V was eventually overwhelmed again with Claridades recording his second contribution to make it 2-0.
With little time remaining, SIS V failed to find an answer and had to settle for defeat at the hands of SSHS.
Other games
Joining the winner’s circle on Monday was Kagman High School, which dominated Marianas High School’s junior varsity team, 6-1. On Tuesday, SSHS scored its second win by beating KHS, 4-2, while Marianas High School V routed Mount Carmel School, 14-1. On Thursday last week, the game between SIS JV and MCS ended in a 2-2 draw.
