By James Sablan
james@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
GARAPAN Elementary School 1 and William S. Reyes Elementary School 1 have locked in their spots in the semifinals of the coed elementary school division of the PSS-NMIFA Interscholastic Soccer League SY25-26 after triumphing over their respective opponents in the quarterfinals on Wednesday at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville.
GES 1 advanced in dominant fashion, outscoring Mount Carmel School 1, 7-3.
The action started quickly, with both sides exchanging goals early — Thomas Flores opened the scoring for MCS, and Kerlisa Esefou immediately equalized for GES 1 within the two-minute mark, tying the game at 1-1.
GES 1 then began to take control of the pace and found their second goal through Adrian Mercado in the third minute to take the lead, 2-1.
MCS tried to hold their ground, but they couldn’t withstand the pressure. Leaf Conlu led a break and found the back of the net in the 11th minute, while Mercado followed with his second goal in the 19th to give GES 1 a comfortable 4-1 lead going into halftime.
Determined to close the deficit, MCS came out strong in the second half, with Flores scoring twice in the 21st and 25th minutes to make it 4-3. However, with fatigue setting in and little offensive support, MCS’s momentum faded.
GES 1 took advantage and launched a late-game rally. Mercado reignited the attack with his third goal in the 33rd minute, earning a hat-trick. Claire Fehrenbacher added another in the 35th, and Esefou sealed the win with her second in the 38th, eliminating MCS, 7-3, and sending GES 1 to the semifinals.
WSR 1 vs SVES 1
Meanwhile, on the other mini pitch, WSR 1 narrowly escaped San Vicente Elementary School 1 in an overtime shootout, 2-1.
After 40 scoreless minutes of regulation, the match went to penalties. Out of five attempts each, WSR prevailed with goals from Raynold Saka and Lyle Muna, while SVES managed only one through Keoki Rios. The win secured WSR a spot in the semifinals, while SVES bowed out of contention.
The semifinals will be held today, Friday, Oct. 10, featuring WSR 1 versus GES 1 at 4 p.m., while Koblerville Elementary School 1 will face Saipan International School at the same time.
