The South Pacific Academy Dolphins are champions in a comeback win of a thrilling, 3- 2 finish against the Samoana Sharks in the championship game of the ASHSAA boys’ 2015-2016 soccer season.
Tuva Tubui of SPA had played like an MVP all year long and during the title match on April 26, 2016 at Pago Park Soccer Stadium, he performed like one as he provided the spark while coming off the bench in the second half with his team down 2-1.
Tubui zig-zagged his way through the defense to equalize the match, 2-2, 10 minutes into the second half and then provided the game winner just five minutes later to put a stamp to their No. 1 ranking in the standings all year long.
Samoana dominated possession of the ball in the first half, but it was SPA that scored first on a lob shot by James Wang off of the side of his cleats from just outside the 6-yard box.
The Sharks finally, after missing many a shot at goal in the first half, got on the scoreboard when Heston Lameta converted on a penalty kick.
In the second half Tufue Peario gave Samoana the lead after kneeing in a rebound off of SPA goalie Cody McMoore. It was the only blemish on the day for McMoore as he made great saves against a relentless attack by the Sharks.
SPA was able to hold on during the last 10 minutes of the game despite playing with only 10 players after defender Andrew Misioka drew a red card.
Eduardo Nunez of SPA was named MVP of the varsity season and their headman, Julius Lauvao, was named varsity coach of the year.
Samoana’s Elliot was named MVP for the junior varsity division and Siavao Iese coach of the year for that division after guiding his team to the title.
This is the second straight year a private high school has won the ASHSAA boys varsity soccer championship, and the second year in a row that the private schools have swept both the boys’ and girls’ titles. Fa’asao-Marist Cougars won the girls’ high school soccer title for this year.
