By James Sablan
james@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
KOBLERVILLE Elementary School 1 seized the top spot in Group B of the coed elementary school division of the PSS-NMIFA Interscholastic Soccer League SY25-26, handing Garapan Elementary School 1 their first loss of the regular season, 4-1, on Monday at the NMI Soccer Training Center’s mini pitch in Koblerville.
Both teams entered the match unbeaten at 4-0. By full time, only one remained perfect.
KobES 1 came out firing, taking control early. After several exchanges, Liam Palacios broke through and opened the scoring in the 6th minute for a 1-0 lead.
GES 1 answered quickly. Two minutes later, Adrian Mercado found space and drilled one past the keeper to tie it, 1-1.
That, however, would be Garapan’s only highlight.
Koblerville hit back almost immediately. Patrick Mansfield led a fast attack and converted in the 9th minute to restore the lead, 2-1.
From there, Koblerville never looked back. GES 1 battled hard but couldn’t find another goal. Palacios struck again in the 18th minute to make it 3-1 heading into halftime.
GES 1 held firm for much of the second half but finally broke in the 35th minute when Mansfield scored his second of the match to seal the 4-1 win.
Koblerville ended the regular season on a high, joined by several other schools posting victories:
• San Vicente Elementary School 1, which defeated William S. Reyes Elementary School 1, 2-0;
• Oleai Elementary School 1, which bested Brilliant Star School 2, 3-1;
• Brilliant Star School 1, which outlasted Oleai Elementary School 2, 3-1; and,
• Saipan International School, which outscored Koblerville Elementary School 2, 3-1.
Mount Carmel School 2, for its part, drew William S. Reyes Elementary School 2, 1-1
The knockout stage kicks off Oct. 8 at 4 p.m.
