By Roselyn B. Monroyo
Variety News Staff

THE NMI Women’s National Football Team stood its ground against Guam in the first 42 minutes of their game in the inaugural Marianas Football Cup, before folding up helping Guam nailed a 7-0 shutout win last Sunday at the GFA Complex and Training Facility Field in Harmon.
Despite going up against a much quicker, younger and experienced Guam Women’s National Team, the NMI squad seemed ready to battle the host neck and neck.
It took Diedre Weekly to break the NMI’s defense, as the Guam forward received a pass from midfielder Joi Abarintos and made a goal in the 43rd minute using her chest.
After Weekly’s goal, the NMI regrouped to again play tough defense, as goalie Rebecca Newman blocked Victoria Shimizu.
But Guam kept on attacking the NMI’s defense and their relentless efforts were rewarded with another goal from Weekly in the 45th minute.
Shimizu then succeeded in her three tries in the second half nailing a hat trick in the 51 st, 78th and 83 rd.
Guam’s two other goals came from Abarintos in the 57th minute and Gebra Naburn in the 67th minute.
Despite failing to score a single goal in their first official game, NMI coach Jeff “Ziggy” Korytoski said he is proud of what his players accomplished.
“What can I say is, they played good defense in almost the entire first half. They allowed Guam to score only in the last two minutes of the first half,” Korytoski.
“That is a worthy feat for a team which was formed only a few months ago and with players who just learned to play the sport for the past few months,” he added.
“Guam is definitely a much younger, quicker and experienced team, but our players showed them they can play a good game too and will be better next year if given more time to train,” Korytoski said.
The NMI Women’ Team is composed of 17 players. The squad is a mix of high school students and working gals. Joining Newman on the team are Allison Livingston, Lindsay Davis, Patricia Coleman, Sarah Helbert, Elisa Long, Sharma Divya, Rebecca Rath, Emily Gries, Angela Shryack, Morgan Pool, Irma Halaby-Morales, Zoe Jewell, Camryn Mosley, Melissa Halaby and Francine Sablan.
With the win, Guam was awarded the 50-pound trophy made from Chinese Eagle Wood.
“The reason we made the trophy so heavy is we know that it will stay here on Guam,” said Guam Football Association president Richard Lai.
The first Marianas Cup was conceptualized by GFA and the Northern Marianas Islands Football Association to boost the women’s soccer program in the two neighbor islands.
The next Marianas Cup will be hosted by Saipan.
Guam is preparing for the qualifying tournament for the East Asian Football Federation Championships next year. It will host the preliminary tournament from July 8 to 12 at the Leo Palace Resort.
(With a report from Kyle Terwilliger)