Shirley’s sets rematch vs Kanoa

MP United Football Club’s Julienne Hall, left, and Kanoa FC’s Paulynn Joyce chase the ball during the first half of their semis game in the girls U16 division of the 2018 NMIFA Spring Youth League last Saturday at the Francisco M. Sablan Middle School Field. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The stage is set for the title rematch between Shirley’s Football Club and Kanoa FC after they eased past their respective semis opponents in the girls U16 division of the 2018 NMIFA Spring Youth League last Saturday at the Francisco M. Sablan Middle School Field.

Kanoa marched into the finals first after dominating MP United FC, 5-1, while Shirley’s followed suit as it shutdown Southern United FC in the second semis game, 8-0. Shirley’s and Kanoa dueled for the girls U15 crown in the youth league’s fall season last year with the latter winning in a shootout, 3-1.

Shirley’s, whose five-season reign in the girls competition ended last fall, earned a chance to get back at its tormentor after clobbering Southern United in their semis tiff.

The returning Jerlyn Castillo, who suited up for Shirley’s this season after switching to a new team last fall, brought her squad to the finals after scoring four goals against the same group she played for last year. Castillo fired her first goal in the 34th minute and her last three all came in the second half as she hit the board in the 41st, 46th, and 57th.

Katrina Costales added a brace with her shots in the 44th and 63rd minute, while Lillian Podziewski and Therize Millare chipped in one each.

In the first match, Kanoa leaned on the two goals each of Paulynn Joyce and Khristelle Itaas to beat MP United. Shairmaine Francisco tallied the other goal for Kanoa with her conversion in the 28th minute giving her squad a 3-1 halftime edge. Joyce broke the ice for Kanoa in the ninth minute, while Francesca Bucalig made the lone goal for MP United in the 18th minute to force the deadlock.

A goal from Itaas in the 23rd minute broke the tie and Kanoa went on to widen the gap, as it silenced MP United in the remainder of the game. Itaas and Joyce got their second goal in the 46th and 59th minute, respectively.

Meanwhile, Kanoa will face Shirley’s in the finale this Saturday at 4pm at the FMS pitch.

BOYS U18 DIVISION
MP United 1, Matansa 0
MP United FC boosted its chances for the division crown after nipping Matansa in the second game at the Hopwood Middle School Field.

With the victory, MP United now has a 6-1-0 win-draw-loss record, one win ahead of TanHoldings FC. Incidentally, MP United and TanHoldings will collide in a make-up game this Saturday at the Hopwood pitch at 10:20am with the former needing at least a draw to secure the division championship. A loss would force a tie for the top spot and the rival teams will collide anew to decide the winner of this season.

TanHoldings 7, NDT 0
TanHoldings (5-1-1) stayed in contention for the crown after whipping National Developmental Team in the curtain-raiser last weekend.

Mark Esalan delivered three straight goals for TanHoldings, scoring in the ninth, 10th, and 17th minute. John Guiller Canape chipped in two goals, while John Paul Cruz added one, and TanHoldings got its last off an own goal.