It was a fairly even match as both teams had several exchanges from start to finish. THFC aimed to take control early as its players relentlessly attacked. However, it was MPU that excelled as its players’ transition from defense to offense caught THFC off guard leaving Cody Shimizu open to finish the break and to hand MPU control at the 12th minute mark.
But THFC heated up, and at the 18th minute mark, Oliver Fajardo executed a slick shot that met the back of the net to even the score, 1-1, before the end of the first half.
After the halftime break, MPU returned ready to rumble. After just two minutes in, Richard Castro connected the team’s second goal as MPU regained the upper hand, 2-1.
THFC had to play catch up for the remainder of the game, slipping in a few nail-biting attacks but MPU’s goalkeeper and other players used their bodies to disrupt the shots and claim the championship for the second time in a row.
MPU’s U12 Coed Division team joined the celebration after defeating THFC in a shootout, 3-2.
At first, THFC took the lead, thanks to Kaithlyn Chavez who sank two consecutive goals at the 12th and 13th minute marks.
But THFC failed to keep up the tempo during the second half as MPU made its comeback. Tristan Raho was the game-saver, firing two shots at the 28th and 34th minute marks to even the score, 2-2, and force a shootout via penalty kicks. Both goalkeepers defended their posts well, but MPU eventually slipped in one goal which was enough to claim the championship.
In the consolation match, Kanoa Football Club 1 took third place after defeating KNFC 2, 17-8, in the U15 Boys Division while Shirley’s Football Club placed third in the U12 Coed Division by besting KNFC, 3-1.
