WSR 1, SIS, GES teams in soccer semis

William S. Reyes Elementary School Kingfishers 1 upset defending champions Koblerville Elementary School Umangs 1 in a thrilling shootout for a semis spot, while Saipan International School Geckos and both teams of Garapan Elementary School Mallards punched their tickets into the semis as well in the 2024-2025 NMIFA-PSS Interscholastic Elementary School Soccer League.

The Kingfishers stood their ground against the Umangs and came away with the win in dramatic fashion—1-0 in a shootout—after a 3-3 regulation last Wednesday at the NMI Soccer Training Center in Koblerville.

Both teams were tied, 2-2, by the 23rd minute after WSR’s Liam Palacios found the back of the net. But KobES’ Darshwana Chhetri completed the hat-trick and put them in the lead again just three minutes later, 3-2.

Silence reigned in the second half until WSR’s Andrey Ray doubled his goal count and tied up the match again in the 40th minute. From there, regulation expired and the winner was determined on a PK—which KobES failed to score, while WSR netted the winning goal.

In the first game of the day, GES 1 blanked Saipan Community School Guardians, 7-0.

It was a one-sided game from the get-go as Keanu Pangelinan drew first blood just two minutes in. That set the pace for the Mallards to go on a tear with two back-to-back goals—one by Evan Poole, and the other by Athitaya Sawikan by the 9th minute for a 3-0 game.

The first half then went quietly, but GES 1 picked it up once again with a goal by Jacob Borja in the 36th minute. Sawikan then put them up, 5-0 a minute later. Poole doubled his goal with another in the 42nd, then Pangelinan followed his lead just a minute later too for the eventual 7-0 final.

The other Garapan team won in a much closer game, 2-1 over San Vicente Elementary School Canaries 2.

Although the Canaries’ Amica Hornilla struck first in the seventh, GES 2 had the last say as Pritam Roy tied it up in the 19th. Then, Adrian Mercado took the one-goal lead in the 25th which held as the Canaries failed to produce more as time expired.

As for SIS, they beat Kagman Elementary School Blue Marlins, 3-1.

The Geckos scored their three goals before the Blue Marlins even scored their lone goal. SIS’ Kaylen Taflinger put the first goal on the board in the 19th minute, followed by silence. The next goal was made in the 36th by Gabriel Walsh, then the third was slotted in the 44th by Guy Pudney.

The lone goal by the Blue Marlins dribbled in just a minute later in the 45th as they avoided being shutout, but settled for the loss when their offense still fell short.

The semis are set for today at 4pm. The championship and third place game are scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 17.