The St. Mary’s Varsity Soccer Team traveled to Saipan for a five day soccer tour from January 30 to February 4, departing on Friday and returning the following Wednesday. The four night, five day trip featured five matches, and cultural exchanges, making it a memorable experience both on and off the field.
On the first day, the team took part in a coaching and training session with a mixed group of local boys and girls ranging from elementary school to high school age. This session provided a meaningful opportunity for interaction and mentorship, as St. Mary’s players shared their skills. Later that same day, the Titans faced Kanoa FC, one of the strongest clubs on the island. Despite it being their first match upon arrival, St. Mary’s delivered a dominant performance, with a 6-0 victory.
(Mr BW)
The second day was a rest day. The team visited The Grotto, a famous water cave where everyone enjoyed snorkeling. Later, the team took part in a historical tour, visiting the final Japanese command post from World War II, as well as Banzai Cliff and Suicide Cliff.
The Battle of Saipan took place from June 15 to July 9, 1944, and was one of the most significant battles of the war. According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, about 5000 American troops were killed, while over 31,000 Japanese soldiers died. Saipan also had a large civilian population at the time, including Japanese and Okinawan settlers, Korean laborers, and indigenous Chamorro people. Many civilians were killed during the fighting, along with Japanese soldiers, took their own lives out of fear that they would be killed if captured by American forces.
Banzai Cliff received its name from when people yelled “banzai” before jumping down and killing themselves. Visiting these sites gave the team a deeper understanding of the tragic nature of war and served as a reminder of Saipan’s tragic history.
The following day focused on cultural exchange. The Titans visited Saipan International School, where they learned how to make traditional coconut sweets and joined classes, interacting with students throughout the morning. The evening concluded with two matches. St. Mary’s defeated MPU FC by a score of 4-0 and later faced the Northern Mariana Islands girls national team, also emerging victorious with a score of 5-2. The final full day in Saipan featured two more matches. The Titans earned a comfortable 4-0 win against Mantassa FC, followed by a strong 5-1 victory over Saipan Southern High School. With these results, St. Mary’s completed the trip undefeated, winning all five of their matches
The success of the trip would not have been possible without the efforts of Ms. Pam, a Saipan local, who organized the school visit, coordinated the matches in Saipan, and provided constant support from arrival to departure. Special thanks also go to Coach Chan, who organized the entire trip, as well as Mr. BW for his continued support of the team. The Saipan tour was a valuable experience that strengthened the Titans both as players and as individuals.
