Lady Dolphins clinch fourth straight title

Marianas High School’s varsity team claimed its fourth consecutive championship after outlasting Saipan Southern High School, 4-1, in the finals of the 2012 Marianas Interscholastic Sports Organization Girls Soccer League last Saturday at the Oleai Sports Complex Field.

The champion team is composed of seniors Riezel David, Deveney Dela Cruz, Jem Eugenio, Genevieve Gottwald, Lyvette Lacsina, Jaime Mendoza, Reylynn Sapong, Lea Teodoro, and Liezel Tiples, juniors Krizzelle Alforeza, Jeralyn Castillo, Clarisse Cayabab, Farah Chan, Melody Johnson, Charlene Lizardo, Allodia Lumasag, and Gilda Ogumoro, and sophomores Jeraldine Castillo and Clareth Castro. Maria Ornes and Emily Williams are the Lady Dolphins coaches.

The finale was still scoreless at halftime and remained as such until MHS’ Alodia Lumasag unloaded a timely rebound blast into the right side of the net in the 53rd minute of the second frame.

Southern then went on the attack and sent Marielle Gariguez to the frontline where she mustered a quick answer just two minutes later off of a nifty pass from midfield to knot up the game, 1-1. Gariguez caught the Lady Dolphins’ backfield off guard and dribbled through two defenders before beating the goalie with an eye-level strike taken near the outer edge of the goalie box into the left side of the net.

As they did for the majority of the contest, the Lady Dolphins continued their relentless attacks in the red zone, which kept the action too close for comfort for Southern. However, the Lady Rays managed to keep the reigning champions at bay and force a 10-minute overtime period.

MHS came out aggressive from the start of the bonus time and Lumasag came through in the clutch again with a nice solo shot in the 72nd minute. Then Lizardo added a pair of insurance goals to help nail in the coffin.

Lizardo’s first goal came off Melody Johnson’s assists at the right wing in the 75th minute. Johnson delivered a well-placed cross spot-on the Lady Rays’ doorstep for an easy chip shot by a well-positioned Lizardo. The other goal came moments later at the 78th minute mark when Lizardo rebounded a deflection off the goalie after another Johnson crafty cross.

Meanwhile, it was double celebration for MHS, as its junior varsity team pulled off an upset over the Kagman High School Lady Ayuyus, 1-0, in the battle for third place.

It was an even battle, but MHS 2 caught a lucky break near the 53rd minute mark when its shot hit a KHS defender and rolled in.

MHS2 went winless during the regular season, but rose to the occasion in the end and finished its developmental season on a high note.