MHS’ Kaye Costales protects the possession against SSHS’ Rosie Saralu during a girls high school division game of the NMIFA-PSS Interscholastic Soccer League SY23-24 at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville.
Serin Chung of SIS battles for control against KHS’ Hiram Albrina during a girls high school division game of the NMIFA-PSS Interscholastic Soccer League SY23-24 at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville.
MARIANAS High School and Saipan International School have reached the finals after eliminating their respective opponents in the semifinals of the NMIFA-PSS Interscholastic Soccer League SY23-24 at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville on Tuesday.
MHS clinched a spot in the finals by edging Saipan Southern High School, 3-2.
The first half of the match was filled with endless back-and-forth action, but with neither team able to gain the upper hand.
In the first 10 minutes of the game, MHS tried to set the tone with early pressure on both ends of the field. After several attempts, MHS was rewarded for its aggressive approach when Raven Anderson capitalized off the break to connect the first goal of the match.
SSHS adjusted accordingly and held their ground for the remainder of the first half. Eventually, they were able to catch MHS off guard, allowing Rosie Saralu to find the back of the net at the 22nd minute mark to tie the game, 1-1.
In the second half, SSHS could not keep up with Anderson’s speed, allowing her to sink two consecutive goals for a hat-trick and the lead, 3-1.
SSHS mustered enough strength with Jahsmin Ramon scoring at the 43rd minute mark, but it wasn’t enough to avoid defeat, 2-3.
SIS vs KHS
Top seed Saipan International School booked its trip to the finals by outclassing Kagman High School, 9-2.
SIS was a force to be reckoned with as each of its players on the field was a scoring threat. In the first half, six goals were delivered with Kaithlyn Chavez orchestrating the onslaught with three goals while teammates Audrey Castro, Serin Chung and Iring Chung contributed a goal each. KHS’ lone goal was made by Pia Ngewakl.
Although the tempo slowed down during the second half, SIS still controlled the pace by adding three more goals while KHS’ Ngewakl could only answer with one goal before SIS claimed victory, 9-2.
Today, Thursday, the battle for third place between SSHS and KHS will begin at 4:45 p.m. followed by the title match between MHS and SIS at 6:15 p.m.
