Undefeated HMS atop girls soccer 

Defending champions Hopwood Middle School Hilitais are still the team to beat this season as they collected their fourth win in their last regular season game of the 2024-2025 NMIFA-PSS Girls Middle School Interscholastic Soccer League at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville.

The Hilitais struck their fourth straight win after they blanked neighbors Francisco M. Sablan Middle School Napu Riders, 11-0, last Tuesday.

HMS established their dominance early with a goal by Princess Gariguez three minutes into the match. That set the tone for the Hilitais as just a minute later, Angel Calayag doubled their lead. She then doubled her tally in the ninth minute for a 3-0 game.

Elyza Brillo followed it up a minute later for a quick 4-0 lead. The Napu Riders then tried to push into HMS territory but came up empty, while HMS took a break from attacking FMS’ keeper. But the reprieve for FMS was short lived as HMS’ Calayag completed her hat-trick in the 19th minute.

Brillo found the net again in the 27th and it was now a 6-0 game. Then, before FMS could even regroup, Gariguez made a fast-break play in the 28th to make it 7-0.

The onslaught continued as Calayag collected two more goals, while Brillo completed her hat-trick in the 36th, followed by a goal by Anica Aquino.

The only blemish in HMS’ record was a draw against last season’s runner up SIS in the first game of the season.

After HMS’ game, Dandan Middle School Tottots took on Saipan International School Lady Geckos and ended in a 2-2 stalemate.

It seemed like the Lady Geckos had the game in the bag after scoring their two goals by the 23rd minute—both by Beatrice Gross. For the Tottots, it was a quiet first half as they tried to penetrate SIS’ defenses to no avail.

Then, they had a pulse in the 42nd when Talina Aguon-McClure found the back of the net to cut the lead in half, 1-2. They rode on that momentum full speed as just three minutes later, Elikristiana Iglecias evened the game up with a clutch goal, 2-2.

Both teams could not get the better of the other as time wound down and it eventually ended in a draw.

In the standings behind HMS’ 4-1-0 win-draw-loss record is SIS at 3-2-0. DMS is at 3-1-1; FMS has a 1-1-3 record; while Tanapag Middle School is at 0-1-3; and Chacha Ocean Middle School haven’t won a game at four losses.

The last day of games in the regular season is today between TMS and COVMS.

The playoffs start on Tuesday, Oct. 15, while the championship and third place game is on Thursday, Oct. 22.