Southern United, Kanoa win

Kanoa Football Club’s Paulynn Joyce, center, is up against two Paire FC defenders during the second half of their girls U16 division game in the 2019 NMIFA Spring Youth League last Saturday at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Southern United Football Club and Kanoa FC got off to a good start after blanking their girls U16 opponents in the 2019 NMIFA Spring Youth League last Saturday at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville.

Kanoa dueled Paire FC at Pitch 1 and eased its way to a 5-0 victory, while Southern also shut down MP United FC at Pitch 2, 2-0. TanHoldings completed the division’s opening week winners list after a free victory (via forfeiture) against Matansa FC.

Sharmaine Francisco powered Kanoa past Paire after making a hat trick. She drilled her goals in succession with the first one posted in the 20th minute and the last two in the 31st and 34th. Kanoa’s two other goals came from Kialeen Leemarvin and Khristelle Itaas, who found the back of the net in the 59th and 61st minute, respectively.

In the other division match, Mariana Castro delivered a pair of goals for Southern United with her first registered in the 29th minute and the second in the 57th.

Southern United will gun for win No. 2 this Saturday when it takes on Matansa at 5:30pm at Pitch 1, while over at Pitch 2, Kanoa will battle TanHoldings. In the last battle the division at 7pm, Paire will square off with MP United.

GIRLS U19
Southern 2, TanHoldings 0
Southern United was also triumphant in the futsal league at the TSL Sports Complex after topping TanHoldings last Friday.
Jerlyn Castillo handed Southern United its first goal after converting a penalty kick in the 42nd minute, while the other goal came seven minutes later, courtesy of Keisha Deleon Guerrero.

The Saipan Southern FC goalie leaps to deflect the ball during the second half of their girls U16 division game in the 2019 NMIFA Spring Youth League last Saturday at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Kanoa 5, MP United 3
In the second game, Kanoa edged MP United.

Paulynn Joyce starred in Kanoa’s win over MP United after firing four goals. She drew first blood for Kanoa in the 11th minute, while she delivered the team’s last three goals, scoring in the 34th, 51st, and 54th minute for a come-from-behind win.

Kanoa was down at halftime, 2-3, after MP United had three players hitting the board. Guine Borja handed MP United its first goal right in the second minute, while Katrina Costales and Julianne Hall scored the final two in the 16th and 19th minute, respectively.

MP United then failed to cling to the shaky lead in the second half, as Joyce came to Kanoa’s rescue.

After stealing one from MP United, Kanoa aims to make it two in a row when it duels TanHoldings this Friday at 6:40pm, while the former will meet Matansa in the curtain-raiser at 5:30pm.