SSHS’ Monico Claridades attempts to control the possession as SIS V’s Kwang Hee Lim closes in during a semifinal match in the boys high school division of the PSS-NMIFA Interscholastic Soccer League SY24-25 at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville on Tuesday.
SSHS’ Anthony Austria and SIS V’s Jun Kim battle for the possession during a semifinal match in the boys high school division of the PSS-NMIFA Interscholastic Soccer League SY24-25 at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville on Tuesday.
SAIPAN Southern High School locked in their spot in the boys high school division finals of the PSS-NMIFA Interscholastic Soccer League SY24-25 by slipping past Saipan International School V, (4)2-2(2), in a thrilling penalty shootout at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville on Tuesday.
In the other semifinal match, Kagman High School forfeited due to a lack of players, allowing Marianas High School V a free pass to the finals.
The match between SSHS and SIS V was filled with intense action as both teams showed their hunger for victory.
SIS V played aggressively and applied pressure on both ends of the field. After a handful of back-and-forth action, they were swiftly rewarded with their first goal scored at the 7th minute mark by Taiga Scoggins.
Throughout the remainder of the first half, SSHS tried to equalize, but each attempt was thwarted by SIS V.
However, SIS V committed a violation during a scuffle and instead of preventing a goal, handed SSHS a free penalty kick with Heman Addy finding the back of the net at the 35th minute mark to tie the game before going into halftime, 1-1.
In the second half, both teams battled for control, but neither was able to break the deadlock in the first 20 minutes.
At the 62nd minute mark, SIS V finally broke through the defensive line with Moshe Sikkel connecting the team’s second goal to regain the slight lead.
Five minutes later, SSHS’ Monico Claridades responded, bringing the game to its second deadlock at 2-2.
With neither team able to score the game-winning goal, the match went into a penalty shootout. SIS V scored two goals courtesy of Ian Song and Jayden Lim while SSHS netted four — thanks to Jerome Mettao, Anthony Austria, Heman Addy and Jerz Navarro — to advance to the finals.
The finale will take place today, Thursday, beginning with the battle for third place between KHS and SIS V at 4:45 p.m., followed by the title match between SSHS and MHS V at 6:30 p.m.
