Kanoa, Shirley’s to clash in Dove A finals

Kanoa Football Club and Shirley’s FC are clashing in the finals of the 2024 Fall Dove Women’s League after eliminating their foes in the semis last Wednesday at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville.

Kanoa, No. 3 seed in the regular season, claimed the first finals spot after they upset No. 2 seed MP United Pink, 2-0.

The orange team tasted sweet victory as they made light work of the girls in pink. Kanoa’s defenses held down a goal-hungry MPU team and pulled off an upset as they could not get on the board.

Kanoa’s Audrey Castro got down to business quickly and just five minutes in, scored their first goal for an early 1-0 lead.

MPU struggled for possession and after the first half, still came up empty. Kanoa had a scoring break until the 31st when Andrei Kaithlyn Chavez doubled their lead, 2-0. From there, Kanoa’s defenses tightened and their keeper didn’t let up. In the end, they secured their finals spot without a peep from MPU.

Then, No. 1 seed Shirley’s punched their ticket into the finals after they slipped past Paire, 4-3.

Shirley’s Raven Anderson set the tone for her team as she attacked the goal and got one in the 13th minute. Their relentless attacks then paid off again 10 minutes later as Anderson made it a 2-0 game.

Paire didn’t just stand idly by though and finally found an opening in the 29th minute to get within 1, 1-2, off the cleat of Jannah Casarino.

However, Shirley’s Melody Johnson boosted their lead once more in the 37th, 3-1. An intense yet quiet battle then ensued as both teams tried to get the better of the other. No goals were let through by either keeper until Casarino slotted one for another close game, 2-3, in the 60th minute.

Shirley’s Jerlayn Castillo then made the game-changing goal in the 69th to put them up, 4-2, as Paire’s Casarino completed her hat-trick just three minutes later. Castillo’s goal was the difference maker as they held on to win by one, 4-3.

The finals is set for Sunday, Dec. 8, at 4:40pm.

Published by Saipan Tribune - Dec 6, 2024