Astig Futsal, IT&E top youth league

Astig Futsal and IT&E went undefeated in two rounds to rule their respective divisions in the 2011 Saipan Soccer School Youth Futsal League.

Astig Futsal clinched two championships, winning the boys U15 and girls U17 divisions, while IT&E claimed the boys U18 crown after the completion of the double-round robin competition over the weekend at the TSL Sports Complex.

In the boys U15 division, Astig Futsal swept their last two games to finish the youth league with a 6-0-0 win-draw-loss record. The Jeff Palacios-captained Astig Futsal secured the boys U15 title after outclassing rival Konflikt last Sunday, 6-5. Sean Perez and Tanapon Unsa delivered three goals apiece for Astig Futsal to retain their perfect record and seal the championship. Earlier last Friday, Astig Futsal downed We-D-Fly, 5-2.

Had Konflikt won last Sunday, it could have tied Astig Futsal and the winner would be decided by the number of goals scored in six games. In the end, Konflikt wrapped up the competition with a 4-0-2 slate, absorbing its twin losses at the hands of Astig Futsal.

Astig Futsal, which also has Marc Gerald Mora, Dale Ballesteros, Jireh Yobech, William Hinson II, and Greg Sablan as members and Jershwin Angeles as coach, collected a total of 66 goals, eight more than the 54 of Konflikt.

We-D-Fly finished third with its 2-0-0 card and 22 goals, while Shirley’s Boys were winless and made only two goals.

Astig Futsal was also victorious in the girls U17, routing its foes in the last two play dates. Last Saturday, Astig Futsal clobbered Go Green Team, 16-0. Then last Sunday, the Jeraldine Castillo-captained squad whipped the Ayuyu, 8-1.

In its six wins in as many games, Astig Futsal scored 70 goals and gave up only six. Go Green Team finished second with a 3-0-3 record and 12 goals, while the Ayuyu was winless and logged only five goals.

The champion team is also composed of Melody Johnson, Lily Williams, Maica Aniana, Kyla Ito, Marielle Gariguez, Mikky Vargas, Dianne Pablo, Charlene Lizardo, Alexa Vergara, and Jeralyn Castillo.

In the boys U18, IT&E notched the championship after a crucial 7-3 win over the Thundercats last Sunday. IT&E and the Thundercats had a draw in their first meeting and last Sunday’s second round outing decided the winner of the division.

IT&E finished the competition with a 5-1-0 record and 38 goals, while the Thundercats had a 3-1-2 card and 21 goals. Mean Machine was winless and had the least goals scored in the league with one.

IT&E players include Yi Shan Wang, Greg Kim, Evert Van Der Maas, Jin Han Yoon, Jacob Choi, Chris Park, Joon Lee, Dae Min Jeon, Moon Bing Hong, Jehn Joyner, Joshua Borja, and Taek Han Yoon.

Trophies were awarded to the division championships last night in a brief ceremony at the lobby of the Saipan Grand Hotel.