HMS, SIS, DMS, TMS in girls soccer semis

The playoffs stage is set with defending champions Hopwood Middle School Hilitais, Saipan International School Geckos, Dandan Middle School Tottots, and Tanapag Middle School Tatagas as the Final Four teams in the 2024-2025 NMIFA-PSS Girls Middle School Interscholastic Soccer League.

The Tatagas punched the last semis ticket after their win over Chacha Ocean View Middle School Lancherus, 4-2, last Thursday at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville.

The Lancherus struck first, surprising the Tatagas with a goal just five minutes into the game by Rica Taitano. This gave the Lancherus the confidence and drive but it was short lived as just four minutes later, the Tatagas’ Chelsea Santos responded swiftly to equalize it, 1-1.

As the game progressed, the Lancherus defense showed signs of strain. The Tatagas then seized control in the 25th minute when Santos once again fired a shot past the Lancherus’ keeper—giving them a 2-1 advantage.

It wasn’t over yet as the Lancherus’ slotted an equalizer in the 29th and it was still anybody’s game.

However, just a minute later, the Tatagas’ Prescilla Ruak recorded their third goal for a 3-2 advantage. Then, the struggle for possession ensued as both teams tried to get the best of the other and notch the win.

The Lancherus fought hard, but another open chance that TMS’ Jade Pascual took advantage of in the 46th minute proved to be the deathblow as they now led, 4-2. Despite COVMS’ best efforts, they couldn’t put up the tying or lead-taking numbers as the Tatagas celebrated their advancement to the semifinals after time expired.

In the finals standings, HMS led with a 4-1-0 win-draw-loss record; SIS was at 3-2-0; DMS was at 3-1-1; TMS and Francisco M. Sablan Middle School had a 1-1-3 record each, but TMS scored more goals at eight to FMS’ five; and Chacha Ocean Middle School lost all five of their games.

Catch the action tomorrow at the NMISTC as the semis start between HMS and TMS at 4pm, while SIS takes on DMS at 5:10pm. The championship game is at 5:30pm, and the third place game is at 4pm on Thursday, Oct. 22.