Manta Rays remain team to beat in boys soccer

Defending champion Saipan Southern High School Manta Rays solidified its first place ranking with a 3-1 victory over second place Saipan International School Geckos in the first match of Friday’s Marianas Interscholastic Sports Organization boys soccer doubleheader held at the Oleai Sports Complex.

The win followed SSHS’ draw with Kagman High School Ayuyus (2 wins, 3 losses, 1 draw) last Tuesday at the Hopwood Junior School Field. The Manta Rays now hold a stout record of four wins with a lone draw while issuing the Geckos their first loss in four games.

In other results, KHS carried Tuesday’s strong performance over into Friday’s second pairing and whipped up a 4-1 victory over the Marianas High School Dolphins (2-3-0), while SIS routed winless Northern Marianas Academy-Marianas Baptist Academy (0-4-0), 7-1, at Hopwood last Monday.

The season continues at the Hopwood field today at 4:30pm with MHS Dolphins looking to even its card as they take on the SIS Geckos.

SSHS’ Jake Lee netted two quick strikes in the 11th and 15th minutes of the first half for a promising lead. However, SIS’ Seoung Joon Lee kicked a late shot between the goal posts in the 34th minute of the half to keep the Geckos within range.

Both teams tightened up on defense in the second half, but SSHS’ Scott Kim managed to add an insurance goal that helped secure the win.

Both teams were feeling each other out in the first half, but KHS’ Jack Tanapon worked his way through traffic late in the opening period for an icebreaker in the last minute of the half to give the Ayuys a 1-0 lead.

He did it again just five minutes into the second half and teammate Frank Mettao powered in a deflection at the net for a nice rebound goal in the 44th minute of the match for a commanding 3-0 lead.

MHS’ John Taisacan broke free for a quick-hit goal after the ensuing kickoff to put MHS on the board in the 47th minute, but Tanapon answered his call in similar fashion at the 50-minute mark, while teammate Antonio Bornia put the cherry on top with five minutes left in regulation.

SIS took a commanding 3-0 lead after the opening half and never looked back.

Clay McCullough-Stearns broke loose at the kickoff for a buzz kill goal in the very first minute of action. He fired another strike in the 13th minute, while teammate Jhen Joyner chimed in for a goal in the 26th minute of the first canto.

NMA-MBA managed its lone goal from Min Sung Kim in the second half, however SIS piled on four more goals in garbage time.

Andrew Johnson found the back of the net just over 10 minutes into the second half and McCullough-Stearns went on to snag a hat trick before Joyner signed off with a second goal.