Marianas Eye-yeye-yeye win-in-in

After opening the first women’s league season with a bang the week before, the women of the Northern Mariana Islands Football (Soccer) Association returned to the Garapan Elementary School pitch for four intense matches on Saturday afternoon to wrap up the pre-playoff competition in much the same fashion.

Marianas Eye-yeye-yeye emerged as the favorite for the playoffs after scoring consecutive wins led by all-star Sarah Helbert’s five goals and a queen-sized contribution from youngster Deja Whitt.

The Eye-yeye-yeye opened up their day with a thrilling 3-2 win over the UMDA Crushers to assure themselves of a playoff slot as the first team to reach the two-win plateau, thanks in large part to the second consecutive hat trick from Helbert in as many games.

While Crushers goaltender TeMary Gramlich made three stops on the day, there was no denying the back of the net from Helbert, as she ruled the field for her fourth, fifth, and six scores of the season.

Despite the loss, Crushers’ coach Marcos Alonso found his cloud’s silver lining.

“Great effort and attitude. We are definitely learning how to play as a team,” he said.

The league’s second leading goal scorer also added a pair to her total as Becca Rath added her second and third goals of the season, but the Crushers fell one shy from a tying the game.

Fotten Fiesta 2, Saipan Grand Fire Dawgs 0

Timely goals from Brenda Schultz and Gene Chagaris proved to be the difference as Fotten Fiesta earned its first win of the season by blanking the Saipan Grand Fire Dawgs, 2-0.

Goaltender Kung Hee Jung saved blocked six shots from entering the Dawg pound, but Patricia Coleman’s pass to Schultz found the mesh followed by Chagaris’ kick in.

Fiesta Coach Jesse Phonsutjit was happy with the results and said that his it was his team’s ability to work together that made the difference in the match.

“Vince Asanuma was in a good position and helped control the game. Brenda Schultz was good at encouraging all players. Everyone had good team work and cooperation,” he said.

The Fire Dawgs put up a fierce battle without the experience of last week’s goal scorer Grace “Roast Beef” Villagracia, but Allison Livingston stepped up to break up a number of opposing attacks while contributing to her team’s offensives as well.

UMDA Crushers 0, Saipan Grand Fire Dawgs 0
Neither team managed to score a goal in a hotly contested match between the Crushers and Fire Dawgs in each team’s second game of the day, but the Saipan Grand squad performed admirably despite playing in back-to-back action.
After losing 2-0 to the Fotten Fiesta in the previous outing, goaltender Kyung Hee Jang stepped up to become a brick wall—stopping nearly 10 shots for the Fire Dawgs.
While they failed to notch a win, the Fire Dawgs (0-2-1) earned the fourth seed in this weekend’s playoffs while the Crushers (1-1-1) grabbed the second seed.

Marianas Eye-yeye-yeye 3, Fotten Fiesta 1

Despite facing two separate goaltenders, Sara Helbert continued her tear through the women’s league with a pair of goals to lead the Marianas Eye-yeye-yeye to an undefeated season with another solid 3-1 win over the Fotten Fiesta.

This time around Helbert wasn’t the only one lighting up the scoreboard for Eye-yeye-yeye as 13-year-old Deja Whitt pumped in a goal as well to close out the Marianas squad’s season at an unblemished 3-0.

The combo of Joanne Nicholls and Allen Tenorio were unable to stifle the focused Eye-yeye-yeye attack, but they managed to compile eight saves, while Brenda Schultz scored for her second time in as many games to break the shutout.

After finishing the season with a 1-2 record, the Fiesta and look strong heading into the playoffs with the third seed, and their coach Jesse Phonsutjit said credited strong defense and all-around play as their strengths.

“We had good passing and teamwork. Good defense from Gene Chagaris and Linda Anastacio,” he said.

With 38 players and five dedicated coaches, the women’s league is already a success, and this weekend’s playoff action will take the tempo to another level as the ladies charge ahead into the post-season and subsequent championship round this Saturday, May 6 when the Marianas Eye-yeye-yeye take on the Fotten Fiesta at 8am and the UMDA Crushers challenge the Saipan Grand Fire Dawgs at 10am.