SIS’ Reagan Gonzales tries to maintain possession as TMS’ Hailey Benavente reaches for the steal during a girls middle school division game of the NMIFA-PSS Interscholastic Soccer League on Tuesday at the NMI Soccer Training Center.
TMS’ Haily Benavente dribbles past an SIS defender during a girls middle school division game of the NMIFA-PSS Interscholastic Soccer League on Tuesday at the NMI Soccer Training Center.
TANAPAG Middle School and Saipan International School drew their opening game, 2-2, in the girls middle school division of the NMIFA-PSS Interscholastic Soccer League on Tuesday at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville.
SIS started strong as they controlled the first half with constant pressure and aggression. After just four minutes of play, the team drew first blood thanks to the footwork of Beatrice Gross who completed a transition play.
The goal sparked the fire in the team’s momentum with Gross connecting her second goal just three minutes later to extend the gap, 2-0.
TMS adjusted its game and focused on closing out the lanes to deny SIS shot opportunities.
TMS’ efforts were finally rewarded in the second half when they overwhelmed SIS line of defense allowing Isabella Cruz to capitalize with a quick shot and break the silence.
TMS then kept pushing forward and found the back of the net just five minutes later thanks to Xyriel Pascual to even the score, 2-2.
With little time left, neither team could connect the game-winning shot and had to settle for a draw.
HMS vs DMS
Hopwood Middle School, for its part, pummeled Dandan Middle School, 6-1.
HMS set the tone early by scoring five of the goals in the opening half.
Alyssa Borlongan spearheaded the onslaught at the 6th minute mark while Yelynn Ha followed up with two of her own within the next eight minutes. The two did not give DMS a chance to breathe, adding one more goal each to give their team a commanding 5-0 lead before the 20th minute mark.
DMS returned to the second half a different team and started to handle more possessions with Jahsmin Ramon delivering their first goal of the game.
DMS only allowed one HMS goal to slip through but failed to score again and had to accept defeat, 1-6.
