SIS rules MISO soccer league

Saipan International School dominated Marianas High School in the finals, 5-1, to top the 2014-2015 MISO Boys High School Soccer League.

Saipan International School’s Nam Ki Kim is ahead of three Marianas High School defenders during the second half of their title game in the 2014-2015 MISO Boys High School Soccer League last Friday at the Oleai Sports Complex Field. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Jehn Joyner powered the Geckos to the easy title win last Friday at the Oleai Sports Complex Field, as he made a hat-trick, which came in succession. He drilled back-to-back goals in the 31st and 41st minute to lift SIS to a 3-1 halftime edge. Jun Sik Kim scored the other goal for the Geckos with his conversion in the seventh minute, while Ryan Relucio knocked in the lone goal for MHS in the 34th.

Joyner capped his strong showing in the finals with a header in the 62nd minute, while Nam Ki Kim closed out for SIS with a cross against MHS goalie Christopher Aninzo 11 minutes later.

The championship victory was a good send-off for Joyner, Nam Ki Kim, Chris Park, William Fong, Andrew Johnson, and Bob Kim, who attended their graduation rites a few hours after beating the Dolphins in the finale.

“It’s a bitter-sweet win for me. Sweet because I was able to help the team win the championship in my last year and managed to play a very good game. Bitter because I have to go and will not be able to play with them and for the school,” Joyner said in an interview after the match.

“I have great teammates and coaches and I wish them the best next season,” said Joyner, who got his second MISO soccer championship with the Geckos after having his first during his freshman year.

Joining the six SIS seniors on the champion team are Kwan Ho Kim, Jun Young Kim, Dong Gu Hyon, Dong Hee Im, Kennedy Izuka, Chanwoo Jeong, WooJin Bark, Myung Jae Cho, Hyeong Chang Im, Timothy Park, Hyun Jun Chung, and Chang Jun Sung. Steve Beyer coached the Geckos, who came into the finals with a 2-1-1 win-draw-loss record.

“It was a pleasure coaching the SIS soccer team. Even with the short season I saw much improvement, especially with our team chemistry. We have a lot of talented players and watching how they came together, listened, and communicated with each other was what made this victory possible,” said Beyer, who called the shots for SIS for the second straight season.

“We are sad to see six of our starters graduate this year, but I am also excited with the talent we have in our returning players. A big thank you to MISO for putting this together and to the great competition we had from all the other teams,” he added.

Kagman High School and Saipan Southern High School joined SIS and MHS in this season’s soccer league.