The DIS high school girls’ soccer team traveled to the International School of Busan (ISB) on May 30 to compete in the South Korean Association of International Schools (SKAIS) tournament. Facing Busan Foreign School (BFS) and host school ISB, DIS entered the tournament determined to build on the progress they had made throughout the year and finish the season on a high note.
Preparation for SKAIS presented multiple turnarounds and challenges. With the team’s regular goalkeeper sidelined due to injury, multiple players were forced to adapt to unfamiliar positions while continuing to build their tactical understanding of the game. “The team spent a lot of time working on positional drills while rotating different players into goalkeeping duties,” player Kaylie Jeong (28) said.
Despite the uncertainty, the players remained focused on supporting the team as a whole. Defender Ellen Cho (0) volunteered to step into the goalkeeper role despite typically playing as a defender. “I felt like I should play goalkeeper because I played goalkeeper in middle school,” Cho (0) said. “As a goalkeeper, you’re the last person to stop the goal, so it was really pressuring. Still, my teammates helped me adjust and kept the defense line strong so that the burden wasn’t completely on one player.”
Drawing from the experience gained during the Korean International Schools Activities Conference (KISAC) tournament earlier in the season, the coaches worked to prepare the players for their strongest match. “We had many triangular games with BFS and DMHS, and that was a good experience to carry on the momentum after KISAC,” Coach Gall said. “Since the players always play with such high intensity, the team could truly become competitive with continuous teamwork building and enjoying the game.”
Their chemistry paid off immediately in the opening game against BFS. DIS controlled possession from the start and continuously broke through the opposition’s defense with quick passing and effective communication. Sarah Cho (19) led the attack with a hat-trick, while Mary Cho (20) added two and senior captain Minori Kojima (9) contributed another in a dominant 6-1 victory.
The convincing result gave the Jets momentum heading into a much tighter contest against ISB. Both teams battled through a physical and defensive match, creating only a handful of scoring opportunities. Mary Cho (20) eventually found the back of the net, securing a hard-fought nil-nil against the hosts of the tournament.
The win set up a championship rematch against ISB with the SKAIS title on the line. While DIS continued to showcase strong chemistry and organized attack, ISB capitalized on key scoring opportunities and secured a 3-1 victory to claim the title.
For many players, the disappointment of the final whistle was heightened by the realization that it marked the end of their final season together. The tournament also served as the final competition for Coach Faille, who will be leaving DIS at the end of the school year.
Throughout the season, Coach Faille worked alongside Coach Gall to develop the program and support players both on and off the field. “I want to thank all the coaches because they showed so much dedication and passion,” Ellen (0) said.
Looking ahead, Coach Gall hopes the success of this season will provide a strong foundation for future teams. “They’ve got to practice before the season starts,” Coach Gall said. “Practice individually, and next year we will jell well with the next generation of players joining the squad. Healthy competition within the team will help continue to raise the standard of DIS sport.”
Although the Jets fell one win short of a championship, the SKAIS tournament became a defining moment of their season. Through hard-fought victories, positional adjustments, and emotional moments, the players continued to support one another and compete with unwavering determination. As the team bids farewell to their seniors and beloved coach, it leaves behind a secure future for the seasons to come.
