CNMI training matches in Guam worth the trip

The CNMI’s Gillian Villagomez, right, receives a pass during their training match against Guam last Monday at the Guam Football Association National Training Center in Dededo. (Guam Football Association)

The CNMI training pool’s trip to Guam was worth it, as the group got what it wanted from the series of matches it played in four days.

“It was a great learning experience for our group. We were able to play against players whose skill level is high. There’s not much of competition here on Saipan and the teams that we faced in Guam gave us the tough matches we need in preparation for upcoming off-island tournaments this year,” said Gabrielle Race, who was designated captain of the 25-player CNMI training pool that suited up in four matches against club teams in Guam and the host’s own U14 training crew at the Guam Football Association National Training Center in Dededo.

The visiting group first squared off against Bud Light Women’s Soccer League Fall Season champion Quality Distributors FC last Friday and dropped a close match, 1-2. Jeralyn Castillo scored the lone goal for the Commonwealth, while April Talledo nailed the brace for the winning team.

Up next for the CNMI bets were the Women’s GFA Cup 2015 champions Personal Finance Center Lady Crushers, which eked out a tough 3-2 win. Gillian Villagomez stood up for the Commonwealth, while the Crushers got the three goals from Kimberly Sherman, Koharu Minato, and Talledo.

For their penultimate match, the Commonwealth players were pitted against the Lady Rovers, who handed the visiting team a 3-1 defeat. Sarah Allen registered the CNMI’s lone goal, while Anjelica Perez, Courtney Salgado, and Kelly Hogan-Morphy hit the board for the Lady Rovers.

The CNMI training pool’s U14 players then closed out for the visiting squad last Monday, challenging their Guam counterparts and holding their ground on defense in the second half for a 1-1 draw. The Commonwealth scored first off Jerlyn Castillo’s goal before Jinae Teria made the equalizer for the host.

“We may have lost three matches and got one draw, but I believe we showed some potential out there. We were able to respond to the challenge and develop some chemistry,” Race said.

Katrina Costales, one of the U14 players on the pool, said the training matches in Guam gave them a perspective on what they should do to keep up with Guam’s level of play.

“As a player, I learned what areas in my game/skills I need to improve on to be able to reach their level of play. The training matches help me understand that I have to work harder every game to help my team become a better squad,” Costales said.

“The experience was really worth the trip as the competition was tough since other than the youth team, most Guam players are bigger and playing in adult leagues, while only about 6 of our players are over 15. Guam was an excellent host and the friendly matches also drew some spectators,” said Northern Mariana Islands Football Association general secretary Ross Zapanta, who joined the group in Guam.