The crucial win sees them end Samoana’s three year reign as Junior Varsity champions, as anything less would have given the Sharks their fourth straight title.
Samoana had earlier won their match against the Leone Lions by forfeit and closed out the season just one point off the Vikings.
It was an edge-of-the-seat match when the Vikings took on Tafuna with the two sides locked at 1-1 at the end of the first half.
In the end they won out when their constant pressure forced a goalkeeper error allowing the Vikings to slip into the lead.
Julianne Mano blasted a shot from inside the penalty box that went straight to Warriors goalkeeper and the ball rolled through her hands into the back of the net for the Vikings game winner.
Faga’itua’s coach Vaimili Tyrell was assisted this season by Lalomilo Mano and the school principal Elvis Liufau was on hand to watch the game and congratulate the side on their heroic performance.
Faga’itua close out the season with a division-best 14 points and a 4-2-0 record. Samoana slot into second with 13 points and a 4-1-1 record, followed by Leone in third with four points on 1-1-4, while Tafuna round out the table with three points and a 1-0-5 record.
The first meeting between the Vikings and the Sharks earlier in the year ended in a 1-1 draw.
In the Varsity division Fa’asao-Marist Cougars and Samoana Sharks will face-off in one final encounter on Tuesday, 25 February as both hope to be crowned champions.
Both sides won through to the final after coming out on top in their semi-finals.
It was a relatively breezy encounter for Fa’asao-Marist Cougars against Nu’uuli Voc-Tec Wildcats as they eased to a 7-0 victory.
The Wildcats played the first half with just eight players, though the Cougars could only put three past them. With a full squad in the second they couldn’t contain the Cougars attack force as the determined side netted four more times.
Alyssa Willis, Jennifer Sasala and Nikki Tolmie all scored two goals apeice to ensure the Cougars progress to the final.
It proved a little more difficult for the defending champions Samoana Sharks in their semi-final as the Kanana Fou Stallions were equally determined to progress.
Deidra Maalona scored the first goal minutes into the opening half but missed two clear shots which if converted would have given her side a comfortable lead to end the game in regulation time.
Samoan also missed a penalty kick in the first half that could have seen them go two goals clear.
The Stallions for their part put on a resiliant performance and slowly turned the momentum in their favour.
Mid-way through the second period it was Elisa Luani who beat Samoana’s defenders to the ball off a free kick before expertly placing away from the keeper and into the back of the net for the equaliser.
Locked at 1-1 at the end of the half, the 10 minutes of extra time wasn’t enough to split these two sides apart forcing the game into a penalty shootout, with Samoana edging into the final with a 2-1 win.
The final of the ASHSAA Girl’s Soccer Varsity league will be held on Tuesday, 25 February 2014.
For more on American Samoa football go to www.ffas.as

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