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Mamma Mia’s gets first win
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Posted on Nov 02 2006
It took four times to get it right but the Saipan Grand Hotel Mamma Mia’s finally got their first win of the season Wednesday evening when they defeated the Marianas Eye Institute Eye Ballers, 1-0, at the Garapan Elementary School pitch.
There was only one game on the Northern Mariana Islands Football Association Women’s League slate as two of the most spirited teams squared off with a hotly contested affair.
After the teams played to a scoreless draw in the first half, Mamma Mia’s talented kicker Laila Qudsi scored the deciding goal when she found the back of the net late in the second half.
The Mamma Mia’s played their first game without the talents of Grace Villagracia, but coach Nathan Tan shook things up by placing players in new positions and his experimentation worked out well.
On the other side of the ball, Eye Ballers star player Becca Rath threatened from midfield with a laser, but goalkeeper TeMary Gramlich was ready to make the save. She didn’t have to do all of the work by herself as teammates Tomoko Kawakata and Sarah Helbert hung back to stifle the blue crew’s attacks until the final whistle.
League coordinator Brenda Schultz was quick to give praise to the players and volunteers but gave the majority of her thanks to the head official.
“Huge thanks you go out to Arkie Ruesora for doing an outstanding job as referee. He called the game tight and ensured good sportsmanship by all players. Thank you so much for volunteering you time for us. We really appreciate it,” she said.
Schultz also showed her appreciation for the volunteer coaches Jaime Saiki, Nathan Tan, Wesley Bogdan, MD Rokibul, and Soleman Gazi.
“Your endless hours on the field are very much appreciated,” she said.
The regular season is drawing to a close as teams have only two games remaining before the playoffs get underway with the semifinals on Saturday, Dec. 2. All four squads will qualify for the postseason play.
