HOPWOOD Middle School and Saipan International School continue to dominate the girls’ middle school division of the PSS-NMIFA Interscholastic Soccer League SY25-26, each posting two wins after Tuesday’s matches at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville.
HMS currently holds the No. 1 spot following a flawless 8-0 victory over Tanapag Middle School. HMS’s chemistry and skill were unmatched, as it only took the first five minutes for the offensive onslaught to begin. Using precise ball movement and positioning, they created several scoring opportunities, with Princess Gariguez opening the scoring with back-to-back goals in the 7th and 15th minutes to establish a 2-0 lead.
Tanapag struggled to recover, and HMS continued to capitalize. Lara Zapanta added the team’s third goal in the 22nd minute, followed by Angel Calayag in the 24th, giving Hopwood a comfortable 4-0 lead at halftime.
The second half saw more HMS action. Calayag completed a hat-trick with goals in the 29th, 33rd, and 47th minutes, while Hayven Moteisou added the final goal in the 50th minute to cap the 8-0 rout.
Saipan International School also secured its second win, edging Francisco M. Sablan Middle School, 2-1. SIS controlled the pace early, with Neveah Arriola scoring in the 2nd minute and Leilani Ruszala adding another eight minutes later for a 2-0 lead.
FMS finally broke the silence in the 38th minute with a goal from Baylyn Mansfield, hoping to spark a late-game rally. However, they did not have enough time to even the score, falling 2-1 to SIS.
Saipan International School’s Leilani Ruszala pushes forward on a transition play during a girls’ middle school match in the PSS-NMIFA Interscholastic Soccer League SY25-26 at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville.
NMIFA photo
Hopwood Middle School’s Princess Gariguez dribbles past a defender during a girls’ middle school match in the PSS-NMIFA Interscholastic Soccer League SY25-26 at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville.
NMIFA photo
