Historic victory for CNMI strikers

  The CNMI notched its first exhibition game win, slipping past the visiting Japan Soccer College in a rain-soaked match Friday night at the Oleai Sports Complex Field.

Peter Loken made the twin goals for the hosts and the Commonwealth went on to foil the Japanese’ bid to equalize with goal keepers Johann Noetzel and Evan Hunsberger holding their ground against the visiting team’s strikers.

The CNMI-Japan Soccer College tiff was played in four 30-minute frame and neither team managed to score in the first 60 minutes of play. The visitors had 39 players against only 20 from the host team. The Japanese had several opportunities to score, especially in the second period, but they either overshot their mark or Hunsberger was there for the catches and dives.

Noetzel started for the CNMI and made four early saves to frustrate the visitors. On offense, the Commonwealth had its best chance of scoring when Trey Dunn attacked from the wing, but his shot hit the back of the right post.

A few minutes after the first 60 minutes of the game was completed, heavy rains poured, but players resumed action at the muddy field. Eight minutes into the third frame and with the rain starting to stop, Loken broke away from the left side of the penalty box, collided with a defender, and was fouled.

Loken was awarded a penalty kick and converted with the help of teammates Jehn Joyner and Arkie Reusora, who acted as decoys in the perfectly run play. With Loken getting ready for the kick, Reusora crossed to the right and the defense did not follow him. Next, Joyner went to his left and the defense bit to the bait, leaving an open space for Loken’s kick and the ball rolled in, turning the cold and quiet night into a perfect pandemonium.

Then in the 74th minute, the trio teamed up anew in giving the CNMI its second goal. The play started with Reusora on the center outside the penalty box and crossing the ball to Joyner, who was at the left corner. Joyner seemed headed to attempt for a goal, but elected to pass the ball to Loken who was in the middle of the box and made a short shot for their 2-0 lead.

The Japanese managed to move within one in the 85th minute when Nunokawa Kazuki dribbled toward the center near the penalty box and was hounded by four CNMI defenders. With the Commonwealth bets crowding Kazuki, Noetzel struggled to see where the ball was going and it rolled in.

Hunsberger closed out for the CNMI in the fourth frame and drew help from their defenders to foil the Japanese’ repeated bids to tie the match. The closest that Japan Soccer College could get in scoring their second goal was when Kazuki again attacked and kick the ball only a few feet away from the left side of the box. Hunsberger was just recovering his position and was not ready for the attack, but Raphael Zapanta made a save when he stepped in and kicked the ball out.

Chelsea FC Soccer School HK’s Wai Wo Lee, who coached the CNMI strikers, said the win was a product of team effort.

“Everybody worked hard in this game. Their concentration and communication at the pitch were commendable,” Lee said.

“I learned it was the first time the CNMI won an exhibition game and I am glad I was able to help them make history,” Lee added.

Lee used all the players in his 20-man roster that also included Ruselle Zapanta, Dale Roberts, Eric Cooke, Brad Ruszala, Steve McKagan, Adam Walsh, Daniel Agulto, Brian Lee, Kenneth Domingo, Dakota Hall, Dan Wollack, Don Cabrera, and Enrico Del Rosario. The CNMI listed 25 players for the exhibition game, but had five missing the match either due to injury or off-island trip.

The CNMI had played several exhibition games against Japan and Guam in the past four years and ended up empty handed before its win over Japan Soccer College.