Eye-yeye-yeye takes title-itle-itle

The Marianas Eye-yeye-yeye edged the UMDA Crushers to win the first championship in the newly christened Northern Mariana Islands Football (Soccer) Association’s Women’s League at the Garapan Elementary School pitch on Saturday afternoon.

Once again the Eye-yeye-yeye looked to their star to get the win and, true to form; Sarah Helbert rose to the occasion and scored the only goal of the game to make it a baker’s dozen for her on the season.

While each of the goalies pulled out all of the stops, there was no denying the league’s unofficial most valuable player on Saturday as Helbert finished what she and her teammates started three weeks ago.

The Eye-yeye-yeye kickers completed their perfect season with the finale, but had a little difficulty getting their ticket punched for the finals as Fotten Fiesta gave them a run for the money in the semifinals.

Helbert carried the load with her third hat trick in just her fourth game, but Brenda “the Battler” Schultz was intent on reaching the finals and scored twice in addition to picking up an assist on Vince Asanuma’s goal.

Regulation time expired with the score tied at three apiece, and when nobody was able to find the back of the net during the sudden death overtime session, Helbert and Irma Halaby mashed the mesh behind Joanne Nicholls during the shootout to propel the Marianas squad into the finals.

Despite the loss, Fotten Fiesta head coach Jesse Phonsutjit was proud of the way his players hung tough against the eventual champs and later praised their efforts on the field.

“Everyone showed the spirit of soccer players especially Brenda [Schultz], Patricia [Coleman] and Mi Yeon [Cho]. Vince [Asanuma], Gene [Chagaris], Gayle [Berger], Betty [Johnson], Linda [Anastacio], and Alleny [Tenorio] were good at recovery and positions. [Goaltender] Joanne [Nicholls] did a great job today and she had many amazing saves. Gene did very well and she could follow my plan. I thank all of my players I am proud of them,” he said.

The Crushers found their way to the finals by shutting out the Saipan Grand Fire Dawgs, 2-0, in the semis with goals from Becca Rath and Lisa Riley, but the duo was unable to find the net again in the finals.

CONSOLATION GAME

Fotten Fiesta 4, Saipan Grand Fire Dawgs 3

The Fiesta finished the day in third place after edging the Saipan Grand Fire Dawgs in the consolation game thanks to solid work from Brenda Schultz, Vince Asanuma, and Gene Chagaris.

After missing out on the finals, Schultz tore up the pitch for three goals and Asanuma scored for the second time of the day, but each of them was able to do so thanks to Chagaris’ three assists and selfless play.

“Everyone did perfect. I love my team,” said Phonsutjit.

On the other sidelines, the Fire Dawgs were sparked by the return of Grace “Roast Beef” Villagracia, who scored twice in the match, and were bolstered by Allison Livingston’s attack, but fell just shy of third place with the loss.

Kyung Hee Jang did her part between the pipes by blocking four shots, and head coach Perry Lo raved about one of his youngest stars.

“Camryn Mosley made a number of great assists, helped out on defense and had a great all around game,” he said.