Tenorio stands out

Suffolk University’s Sunjoon Tenorio takes a shot during their game against Emmanuel College in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference in October in Boston. (SUFFOLK UNIVERSITY PHOTO)

CNMI National Team member Sunjoon Tenorio capped his outstanding freshman season with Suffolk University by winning two coveted awards—the Rams’ Rookie of the Year and Team MVP honors.

Tenorio, who suited up for the Commonwealth’s men’s and youth squads for several years before moving up to the collegiate level, led Suffolk in goals scored (10) in his rookie season with the National Collegiate Athletics Association-Division III school. He was also the first Suffolk player to have earned three straight Rookie of the Week awards from the Great Northeast Athletic Conference.

“I am very proud and happy that I won those awards. Although they are individual awards, I could not have shined the way I did without the help of my teammates. It is because of them that I looked as good as I did,” the prized rookie said.

Tenorio played in 15 out of the Rams’ 16 matches and was a starter in 12. He made it to the board in eight matches, showing his best game on Oct. 12 against Regis after delivering the pair of goals in their 2-1 victory. The former MP United Football Club standout also tallied two goals in their 6-2 triumph over Anna Maria and had one each against Lesley, Albertus Magnus, Norwich, Wentworth, Mitchelle and GNCA runner-up Saint Joseph’s. Tenorio also produced game-winning goals for the Rams five times.

The Marianas High School graduate missed Suffolk’s last match of the season againt Rivier, as he had to travel to Cambodia to play for the CNMI Men’s U19 National Team in the Asian Football Confederation U19 Championship 2020 Group G Qualifier held in Phnom Penh. Tenorio went on to score two goals for the Teen Ayuyus in their first game in the qualifier, as they gave Brunei quite a scare before the kingdom eked out a 4-3 win.

Tenorio was among the seven freshmen on the Rams roster, which also includes fellow CNMI national team player Dai Podziewski. The 19-year-old forward, who defeated eight senior Suffolk players and a handful of juniors for the MVP plum, said the pair of awards will serve as motivation for him to play even better next season.

“It was very motivating to me knowing that I could win those awards even at the collegiate level because it showed me that I do have a potential. These awards will only make me work harder to get farther in this sport,” said the son of Superior Court Associate Judge Teresa Kim-Tenorio and former Marianas Visitors Authority managing director Perry Tenorio.

Suffolk University’s Sunjoon Tenorio, left, battles an Emmanuel College player for a header during their game in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference in October in Boston. (SUFFOLK UNIVERSITY PHOTO)