Marianas High School’s Tamia Kileleman-Hix sets up the play during a girls high school division game of the NMIFA-PSS Interscholastic Soccer League SY23-24 at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville.
MARIANAS High School notched their first win in the girls high school division of the NMIFA-PSS Interscholastic Soccer League SY23-24 by outplaying Saipan Southern High School, 8-2, at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville on Thursday.
MHS’ biggest advantage was the skilled players at their disposal. As a team, they controlled most of the possession during the first half.
After only six minutes of play, their relentless pressure created several openings. They eventually broke through and found Rizza Relucio at the break for the finish to grasp a 1-0 lead.
Although SSHS adapted and held their ground for the next 10 minutes, it did not take long before MHS broke through their defense once again, this time with Raven Anderson finding the back of the net to extend the gap, 2-0.
SSHS eventually took advantage of MHS’ aggressiveness by turning defense into offense and attacking the weakside with Rosie Saralu slipping a shot to chip away at the deficit before halftime, 1-2.
The tempo remained the same during the first few minutes of the second half with Relucio connecting her second goal, but Saralu replied with her second goal to keep her team’s hopes alive.
However, that was the end of SSHS’ time in the spotlight as they were left silent for the remainder of the game due to MHS’ tightened defense. Paired with continuous offensive pressure, MHS quickly overwhelmed SSHS and produced five more goals.
Relucio completed the hat-trick with her third goal while Tamia Kileleman-Hix also scored three goals. Anderson likewise sneaked in a goal as MHS sailed to victory, 8-2.
SIS vs KHS
Also victorious was Saipan International School, which overwhelmed Kagman High School, 9-2.
Although KHS’ Pia Ngewakl drew first blood with the opening goal after just two minutes of play, SIS quickly retaliated with a barrage of shots led by Kaithlyn Chavez, who scored three goals within a five-minute span. Later, she and teammate Irin Chung added a goal each while KHS accidently scored in their own goal to give MHS a comfortable lead, 6-1.
In the second half, KHS started strong once again with Ngewakl scoring at the 33rd minute mark, but SIS retaliated with three goals — one by Chavez and two from Audrey Castro — to seal the deal, 9-2.
