Courtesy: Saipan Tribune


Independents, Matansa U18 win futsal debuts

by Roselyn Monroyo

The 2010 NMIFA Women's Futsal Fall League opened shop last Monday with Independents Football Club A and Matansa U18 prevailing in their separate debut games at the JP Center Basketball Court.

Independents A played in the curtain raiser and edged MP United A in the competitive division, 3-2.

Independents A got off to a good start, scoring three goals in the first set. MP United A failed to make it to the scoreboard in the first before Melody Matson hit back-to-back goals midway in the second half.

Sam Babauta also had two goals for Independents A, breaking the ice in the first half and then finding the back of the net again a few minutes before the 25-minute playing time lapsed. Independents A's third goal was courtesy of Terra Allen.

Besides Independents A and MPU A, two other teams are vying for the competitive division championship: Independents B and Paire Football Club. The two other squads entered in the competitive division will play today at 9am at the Marianas High School Gymnasium.

In the recreational league, Matansa U18 topped newcomer Shirley's Coffee Shop, 6-3.

Matansa U18 scored three goals apiece in the first and second half, while Shirley's made all its goals in the last 25 minutes of the match.

Elisa Fejeran had twin goals for Matansa U18, drilling one in the first half and the other in the second. Also scoring for Matansa U18 in the first half were Jacque Wonenberg and Jeralyn Castillo.

In the second half, goalie Rima Halaby moved to midfield and scored the first goal for Matansa U18 in that period. Fejeran then got her second goal, while a certain Raylynn gave Matansa U18 its last goal in the match.

Eight teams will be battling for the recreational division championship. Joining Shirley's and Matansa U18 in the field are MP United 1 and 2, Tan Holdings, Paire, Matansa, and MHS U18.

Paire will face Matansa in today's recreational game at 10am, while sister teams MP United 1 and 2 will collide at 11am.

This year's futsal league is the third for Northern Mariana Islands Football Association and is open to players in the 15-and-above players. Each game is played in 25-minute halves and a five-aside match. Games are played every Monday and Wednesday at the JP Center Basketball Court, while Saturday matches are set for the MHS Gym.


Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com