Southern United, Shirley’s reach finals

Saipan Southern United Football Club’s Keisha Deleon Guerrero tries to control the ball, while a Kanoa Football Club defender moves closer on defense during their Division B in the 2019 Dove Women’s Fall League last month at the TSL Sports Complex. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Southern United Football Club and Shirley’s Football Club set up their championship duel in Division B of the 2019 Dove Women’s Fall League after eliminating their respective playoff opponents last Friday at the TSL Sports Complex.

Southern United marched into the finals first after demolishing Kanoa Football Club, 12-1, while Shirley’s earned the second ticket to the title match following a 4-3 upset against TanHoldings Football Club.

Heather Zona made a hat trick for Shirley’s with her third and last conversion in the 43rd minute of the 50-minute game giving her team the go-ahead goal. Earlier in the 40th minute, Zona delivered the goal that knotted the count at 3-all, while her first shot came in the 15th minute, handing Shirley’s the 2-0 lead. Shirley’s other goal in the first half was courtesy of Marielle Gariguez, who found the back of the net just 38 seconds into the game.

Despite its early goals, Shirley’s could not hang on to the lead at the break, as Julie Ann Capayas and Rizza Relucio countered for TanHoldings. Capayas broke the ice for TanHoldings in the 20th minute, while Relucio hit the equalizer two minutes later.

TanHoldings then managed to steal the lead, 3-2, thanks to Relucio’s goal in the 27th minute. However, Zona saved the day for Shirley’s with her back-to-back goals in a span of three minutes.

Shirley’s will dispute the Division B title with Southern United this Friday at 7pm.

While Shirley’s labored its way to the title game, Southern United had an easier time advancing to the finals after dominating Kanoa.

Southern United opened a 7-1 lead in the first half and kept going in the second for the lopsided victory.

Nathanette Blas, Mariana Castro, and Keisha Deleon Guerrero teamed up in Southern United’s first-half assault after drilling two goals apiece. Castro scored right in the opening minute of the match and got her second in the 20th, while Blas posted her pair of goals in the sixth and 21st. Deleon Guerrero’s two goals came in the 18th and 21st minute, while Tricia Roque also lit up the board in the first half (23rd minute) for Southern United. Kanoa’s lone goal in the one-sided game was from Kiara Manganti, who found her target in the 16th minute.

Despite the big lead after the first half, Southern United showed no mercy to Kanoa in the second with Blas delivering a hat trick and Deleon Guerrero and Erin Frink adding one apiece.