Dec 9, 20221 min read

SSHS, MHS to vie for boys high school soccer title

SAIPAN Southern and Marianas high schools will play for the boys high school division title of the NMIFA-PSS Interscholastic Soccer League after sending home their respective opponents in the semifinal matches on Wednesday at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville. SSHS earned a spot in the finale by outplaying Saipan International School 3-0. SSHS carefully picked plays to control most of the possession. After seven minutes of scuffle, SSHS penetrated SIS’s line of defense with cross passes to create an opening for Ron Patricio who then scored to give his team a 1-0 lead. SIS tightened their defense for the remainder of the first half but failed to equalize. In the second half, SIS’s defense faltered as SSHS applied the pressure with Jonne Navarro finding the back of the net at the 30th minute mark followed by another goal contributed by Simon Tang four minutes later to extend the deficit, 3-0. SIS failed to get past SSHS and had to settle for defeat. MHS vs MCS Marianas High School secured the other spot in the finals after outgunning Mount Carmel School 6-1. MHS had a well-balanced roster and maintained an efficient offensive pressure throughout the game. MHS’s Leland Deleon Guerrero drew first blood at the 10th minute mark followed by two more goals by Cody Shimizu and Jerald Aquino at the 19th and 24th marks for a 3-0 lead. In the second half, MHS’s Brian Lubao took over the spotlight with three consecutive goals for the hat-trick. MCS managed to break its silence when Leo Naraga slipped in a goal.