Previous Story
NMIFA names tournament champions
|
Posted on Feb 28 2006
After kicking off its inaugural season with a bang, the Northern Mariana Islands Football (Soccer) Association began its march on March with its yearend tournament as teams from all five divisions stormed onto the fields of American Memorial Park over the weekend to determine the pitch powers once and for all.
A little rain was not enough to derail the players, coaches, and fans at the Garapan glen, as Fred’s Pizza’s pint-sized pepperonis blinded Marianas Eye Institute, 5-2, and smacked the Siheky out of the Pacific Islands Club team, 5-2, to take the 5-6-year-old division crown.
The action among the 7-8-year-olds proved just as intense as Shirley’s served up wins over Laolao Bay Golf Resort and Saipan Grand Hotel to open the competition, while the little nuggets of Church’s Chicken started the day with a win over Triple J and took their future in their hands by beating Saipan Grand.
The tournament title was decided last night at the American Memorial Park, but results were not available as of press time.
UMDA was the top team among the 9-10-year-old division after scoring back-to-back wins over the Ace Hardware harbingers, 2-1 and 2-0, but the maroon marauders got the tournament off to a rough start.
After suffering a lopsided 4-0 loss to Ace, UMDA rebounded with consecutive wins over Bobby Cadillac’s (1-0), Triple J (3-0) and Marianas Eye Institute (1-0) to force a rematch with Ace in the finals.
Despite its second place finish, the Ace Hardware squad completed the regular season with a flawless record.
Last night the kickers of the 11-12-year-old division as well as their 13-18-year-old counterparts proceeded to wrap up their final games, but the ultimate matches take place this Saturday, March 4.
For more information about NMIFA, or to volunteer your assistance, contact NMIFA secretary general Peter Coleman by calling 483-0771.
