By James Sablan
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Variety News Staff
THE girls high school division of the PSS-NMIFA Interscholastic Soccer League kicked off its SY 2025–26 season Thursday with a flurry of goals and two decisive victories at the NMISTC Training Center in Koblerville.
Marianas High School reigned supreme over Saipan Southern High School with a late rally, earning a 3-1 victory.
The atmosphere was tense between two of the league’s top teams. Throughout the first half, both squads battled for control but neither was able to gain the upper hand, ending the period in a scoreless stalemate.
The action picked up in the second half.
After several back-and-forth exchanges, MHS Varsity began to seize possession and worked its way deep into attacking territory. Fiona Regan capitalized on the opportunity, opening the scoring in the 49th minute.
SSHS responded quickly, however, as Rosie Saralu found the net to level the match at 1-1.
The deadlock was short-lived as MHS Varsity resumed its pressure, which SSHS struggled to withstand. Aubrey White put MHS ahead with a goal in the 52nd minute, and Regan added her second of the match in the 63rd to secure the 3-1 comeback win.
SIS vs MHS JV
In the other match, Saipan International School cruised to its first win of the season with a dominant 10-0 victory over MHS JV.
Led by a relentless offensive performance from Addalee Taflinger, SIS overwhelmed the MHS JV defense. Taflinger scored five of the eight goals recorded in the first half.
Ziting Wu, Yeji Jang, and Asa Backe also contributed goals in the win.
James Sablan has been a sports reporter for Variety since 2013. He was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College and covers all local sports.
