GES 1, WSR 2 reach ES finals  

Garapan Elementary School’s William Flores (6) and Casmiro Cosmes scramble for the ball against Oleai Elementary School in Week 1 of the 2022-2023 NMIFA-PSS Interscholastic Soccer League at the NMI Training Center in Koblerville. (LEIGH GASES)

Garapan Elementary School 1 and William S. Reyes 2 reached the elementary school soccer championship in the NMIFA-PSS Interscholastic Soccer League after eliminating their respective opponents in the semifinals last Monday at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville.

The first game of the semifinals was between GES 1 and Grace Christian Academy, which the Mallards won 5-1 to secure their spot in the finals. The Kingfishers joined them after they won their match against their sister team, WSR 1. 

The Eagles put up a valiant effort as they soared through the field alongside the Mallards but were only able to put up one goal courtesy of Mateo Angeles. 

The Mallards, on the other hand, duck-walked their way through the field with ease, scoring two of their goals in the first half and three of their goals in the second half.

Kanoa Owens was the star of the team once again as he scored three of the team’s five goals. Casmiro Cosmes and Angel Calayag contributed the other two goals.

To get to the semifinals, WSR 1 blanked Koblerville Elementary School 1, 4-0; Grace Christian Academy beat Koblerville Elementary School 2, 3-1; GES 1 defeated Saipan International School, 6-1; and WSR 2 had an easy win after they won by forfeit against San Vicente Elementary School in the quarterfinals last Friday.

GES 1 and WSR 2 will face off in the finals today at 5:30pm at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville, right after the battle for third place between WSR 1 and Grace Christian Academy at 4pm.
 
WSR-2 13, WSR-1 2
It was the battle of the Kingfishers as WSR 1 and WSR 2 squared off for the last spot in the championship game. WSR 2 got the best of their sister team as they blew them out of the sky, 13-2.

Aldric Jon Antonio of WSR 2 drew first blood as he scored the first goal just three minutes into the game. He ended up scoring two more goals for the team.

WSR 1 showed that they were not to be counted out yet as Landin Reyes managed to score in the 11th minute. However, WSR 2 kept the goals coming as they navigated through the defense and goalie to put up 10 of their 13 goals in the first half. WSR 1 was able to score one more goal before falling to their schoolmates. 

Joshua Lizama dominated the field as he scored four of WSR 2’s goals, while Salman Kamal netted three goals. Jiro Quindoza, Michael Olaitiman, and Darshwanna Chhetri scored one goal each.

The Northern Mariana Islands Football Association coordinates the 2022-2023 NMIFA-PSS Interscholastic Soccer League along with the Public School System Athletic Program.