The SCISAC soccer tournament in Nanjing this year was a much anticipated one. The TIS Jr Boys Soccer team had won this tournament one year ago and were eager to show everyone that they were still the team to beat. The girls finished 3rd at this event one year ago and they were more motivated than ever to climb to the top.

After round robin, the girls had placed 3rd for the playoffs and faced rivals YCIS-CQ. An early goal by the opponents put the TIS in the chase for most of the game. A late goal by keeper Oriana wasn’t enough as the girls lost the semi-finals 2-1. This meant that they had to earn their bronze trophy again, this time against a formidable team from host school NIS. Asiaanna opened the scoring from a free kick late in the first half and Anya Benham cemented the victory with a breakaway goal in the dying minutes.

On the boys size, it was business as usual as the Tigers dusted off the opponents one by one, finishing round robin undefeated and seeded #1 for the playoffs. The semi was also relatively smooth against a young team from XIS. But the championship match against HKA, a team they had tied in round robin, was intense and close. Matthew Capuano opened up the scoring with a beauty of a strike, but HKA soon tied it up amidst chaos in the box. The Tigers were dreading the prospect of another overtime game, but Matthew again put the game to rest with a breakaway winner in the second half.

What a fantastic performance by both our teams and a huge congratulations to all players and coaches. Well done Tigers!!!