The undefeated Garapan Elementary School Mallards 1 clipped William S. Reyes Elementary School Kingfisher 1\u2019s wings after a 1-0 win in the championship of the 2024-2025 NMIFA-PSS Interscholastic Elementary School Soccer League last Thursday at the NMI Soccer Training in Koblerville.<\/p>\n
In a captivating, edge-of-your seat final with supporters of both teams cheering on their young soccer players, the Mallards and Kingfishers soared to great heights in the much anticipated championship showdown.<\/p>\n
The Mallards were the top team in Group B during the regular season with an undefeated record of five wins, took that momentum into the playoffs, and came out on top still unscathed.<\/p>\n
They faced off against a formidable Kingfishers team that upset Saipan International School Geckos in the semifinals\u2014who were the top seed in Group A in the regular season.<\/p>\n
Both the Mallards and the Kingfishers played their hearts out as they tried to get the advantage first, but their defenses held steadfast. After back-and-forth action with no goal in sight yet for either team, GES\u2019 Evan Poole found an opening in the 11th minute to put them up, 1-0.<\/p>\n
The action didn\u2019t stop there as the Kingfishers tried to regroup and get something going in their favor, but GES\u2019 keeper, Peter Okaruru didn\u2019t let his guard down and defended the goal like his life depended on it.<\/p>\n
There were several instances when the Kingfishers pushed into GES territory, but to no avail as GES\u2019 defensive pressure had a chokehold on the pitch. With just a couple minutes left, WSR made some rushed plays towards Okaruru to try and tie it up and force a shootout, but they failed to convert and handed the trophy to the Mallards.<\/p>\n
The MVP of the finals went to Poole who scored the lone goal of the finals.<\/p>\n
The Golden Boot Award was a two-way tie between GES 2\u2019s Pritam Roy and SIS\u2019 Guy Pudney with 20 goals each in the season.<\/p>\n
With Okaruru and Poole were Jacob Borja, Leo Li, Harper Loken, Rheann Macalinao, Bolei Mendez, Keanu Pangelinan, Athitaya Sawikan, Berlena Dela Cruz, and Skyler Leon Guerrero.<\/p>\n
WSR\u2019s roster included Ramon Camacho, Darshwana Chhetri, Zane Fujihara, Ryan Ichihara, Hazel Kim, Damien Leon Guerrero, Destiny Palacios, Rex Rivera, Raynold Saka, Jayboy Taitano, and Ayesha Tenorio.<\/p>\n
GES\u2019 coach Peter Loken said of their win after the championships, \u201cIt\u2019s great. They played so hard. WSR did a great job too. It\u2019s something that we\u2019ve been working toward all season and it\u2019s great that it finally paid off.\u201d<\/p>\n
The strengths of their team, said the 15-year veteran coach, was, \u201cWe play very balanced soccer. I think we pass well, we communicate well, and we work together. We try to move as a unit and score as a unit too.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added, \u201cThis team is very skilled, but also unselfish. They were willing to pass the ball even though they could maybe shoot. They were willing to put in the extra effort. Wew practiced a lot and they showed it. They were ready to play.\u201d<\/p>\n
Third place went to Saipan International School Geckos over GES 2, 3-2.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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