The middle school soccer teams traveled to the International School of Busan (ISB) to compete in the South Korea Association of International Schools (SKAIS) finals tournament. The girls’ varsity team finished in second place while the junior varsity concluded the season in third. The boys’ A team wrapped up the season in fifth place, and the B team finished in second. 

Due to a lack of time, the tournament proceeded as a round-robin format without semi-finals or finals. As a result, the team with the most points took the trophy home. Schools received three points for a win, one point for a draw, and none for a loss. 

A few days before the tournament, the A team goalie, Sophia Yoon (number 1) injured her foot. As a result, B team goalie Minju Koo (number 99) played a total of eight games at SKAIS. “I originally told Mr. Faille that I will only play six games but he wanted me to play more, so I played one more full game and another half game. I couldn’t really rest between the games, so it was tiring but still it was very fun,” seventh-grader Minju Koo said. 

Due to the small number of teams in the A and B pool, DIS played each team twice. In the first game, DIS tied ISB 2:2. “I think ISB has good players who are really good at controlling the ball. They had a strong striker, so it was a tough game,” seventh-grader Elly Song (number 11) said. 

However, in the second match against ISB, the Jets faced a close defeat (3:2). Although they scored two goals in the last three minutes of the second half, ISB emerged as the victor. “The toughest game was the third game because we were losing three to zero. Although we could have blocked all three goals, we had a mental breakdown. But we scored in the second half, so I think that’s a good improvement,” seventh-grader Ann Oh (number 12) said. 

The girls also played Busan Foreign School (BFS) twice. In both matches, they took a close victory 1-0. “For BFS, because we played with ISB first, I think we had, comparably, easier games with them. Even though they were stronger physically than us, we also played them at KISAC so we could win,” seventh-grader Chloe Woo (number 3) said. 

With a total of seven points, the A team came in second place. They came close but came in one point behind the champions, ISB. “It was a little disappointing because I was 2nd last year too and it’s also my final year in middle school, but I was still really happy. I assure you, they’re going to win next year. They are such a strong team,” eighth-grader Yul Sakong (number 29) said. 

The girls’ B team played ISB twice and sparred against SKAIS United, a joint team with players from ISB and Gyeongnam International Foreign School (GIFS). They took a double defeat against SKAIS United (3-0 and 2-1), the champions of the B division. “I think SKAIS United was the hardest team I tried defending. I tried goalie for the first time in the game and I was afraid that I would just mess everything up but I think I was really fortunate to have the experience,” Gia Kim (number 13) in seventh grade said.

The Jets faced two different results in their games against ISB. They took a loss 2:0 and tied 2:2 in their rematch. “My favorite moment was when I blocked the ball that was coming straight forward to me. I think it wasn’t against ISB and I blocked it with one hand,” said Koo.

The boys’ A team began with a competitive game against ISB but took a close loss (2:4). “For the first game against ISB, we felt like it was essentially going to be our final. So if we were to win against them, then that would have set us up really nicely for the whole day. But if we lost, as we did, I think the boys found it really, really difficult after that,” boys’ coach Mr. Gall said.

In the next game, they took another defeat against a united team consisting of Atherton International School (AIS) and Gyeongnam International Foreign School (GIFS). However, they managed to come back with a draw (1:1) against Hyundai Foreign School (HFS). “In the second game, we just started chasing the ball and everyone was out of position. In the third game, we lost focus and then we conceded. We had our battle lineup but we couldn’t score,” Charlie Park (number 10) in eighth grade said. 

The Jets claimed a victory in their final match against BFS (4:2). “In our fourth game, we were down one then we did tie but we couldn’t really win the game. Still, my favorite moment was when I just took a shot and scored against BFS,” Park said. 

The B team began the tournament with a defeat against ISB (0:2). But they recovered and crushed BFS (0:5) in their following match. “I think we did really well because we haven’t lost since the 1st game,” Joon Jang (number 99) in eighth grade said.

In their rematch against ISB, the boys improved and tied 2 to 2. They ended the tournament with another victory over BFS (5:2). My favorite game was the last game against BFS. We were losing 2-0 in the first half but in the second half we did much better and we scored five more goals and won 5-2,” Jang said. 

While the season came to an end with mixed results, both teams show huge potential for growth next year. “Next season with middle school girls we will try to win as much as we can and keep improving. Even if we don’t bring any medals, I wouldn’t be disappointed at all. It’s completely the opposite. I just want to see hard work and a good passion for the sport. I want them to just enjoy football and be the best version of themselves both on and off the field,” girls’ coach Mr. Faille said. 

Gallery • 14 Photos

Lily Lee

Chloe Woo (number 3) in seventh grade maneuvers past her opponent with swift dribbles. Her agile footwork leaves the defender trailing behind as she advances up the field.