Shirley’s FC 2 serves up Dove B finals victory over SFC 1

Shirley’s Football Club 2 served up a finals victory over sister team Shirley’s FC 1, in the 2024 Fall Dove Women’s League at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville last Sunday.

Their supporters were treated to a sizzling contest, as both teams brought their best recipes for success to the pitch. The match had all the makings of a masterclass in high-pressure cooking, with Shirley’s Football Club 2 plating a down-to-the-wire 2-1 final in their championship showdown.

Shirley’s teams turned up the heat early as SFC 1’s Catalina Dela Cruz whipped up a goal just six minutes in. They managed to contain that lead for 10 minutes until SFC 2’s Mikky Buno scored the equalizer for a nail-biting 1-1 game.

The battle of pitch mastery went on as both teams struggled for possession—both sides slicing through each other’s defenses to no avail.

Then, unfortunately, SFC 1’s Sylvina Simram let a goal slip past their net to put SFC 2 up by one, 2-1 in the 23rd minute. The game simmered on as both teams tweaked their final game-day recipes.

With the game boiling down to the final minutes, they turned up the burner, but SFC 1 failed to recover and SFC 2 held on to win.

SFC 2 included Marilou Arriola, Jaclyn Quitugua, Kristanna Lim, Mikky Buno, Maxine Lopez, Kimberly Camacho, Kathyryn Sablan, Bridgette Oh, Kylie Whipps, Shirley Ann Deleon Guerrero, Christine Aninzo, Loveleen Davis, and Joanna Castro.

SFC 1’s rookie goalie, Sylvina Simram was awarded the Fair Play award for her sportsmanship on and off the pitch.

She said of her award, “At first, I was a little taken aback because I didn’t anticipate that a player in their first season, much less a rookie, would win this honor. I was thrilled!”

As for the season, the NMI Women’s National Basketball Team player said, “I actually like the sport! Since soccer is my least favorite activity, I never would have imagined that I would play it. Playing another sport would be difficult for me because I’ve played basketball for the longest time, but I’m always open to trying new things, and soccer just so happens to be one of them. So far, this season has been the best. My team is incredible, and I adore their enthusiasm. I now look forward to playing on the field every Sunday, no matter how exhausted I am, because of their encouragement and compliments. I can’t wait for next season!”

Third place went to MP United Pink after they won over Kanoa FC, 4-1.

Published by Saipan Tribune - Nov 27, 2024