Hopwood Middle School’s Samantha Escarcha attempts a midrange shot during a girls middle school division game of the PSS-NMIFA Interscholastic Soccer League SY24-25 at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville.
HOPWOOD Middle School and Saipan International School will vie for the girls middle school division championship of the PSS-NMIFA Interscholastic Soccer League SY24-25 after eliminating their respective opponents in the semifinal round at the NMI Soccer Training Center on Tuesday.
Hopwood silenced Tanapag Middle School, 7-0, while SIS outhustled Dandan Middle School, 1-0.
Against TMS, HMS’ goals came in waves with the first three delivered in the first half.
After a series of back-and-forth exchanges, HMS found their rhythm as they went for the kill. Igniting the offensive run was Princess Gariguez, who connected the opening goal at the 13th minute mark.
HMS’ momentum then spread like wildfire as Anica Aquino kept the pressure alive by connecting the team’s second goal just three minutes later while Elyza Brillo added another at the 23rd minute mark to further extend the deficit, 3-0.
Coming out of the halftime break, TMS tried to shut down HMS’ production, but they could only hold their own for a brief moment as HMS regained control of the pace with another set of offensive highlights courtesy of Brillo.
Brillo was unstoppable throughout the second half of the match, scoring the next four goals within a 15-minute span with her contributions recorded at the 32nd, 43rd, 45th, and 46th minute marks, to lead her team to victory, 7-0.
SIS vs DMS
As for SIS, they edged pass Dandan Middle School thanks to Beatrice Gross, who scored at the 14th minute mark, 1-0.
The finale will be held on Oct. 22 with TMS and DMS fighting for third place at 4 p.m. followed by the championship match between HMS and SIS at 5:30 p.m.
