Women’s National Team tops Shirley’s

The CNMI Women’s National Team’s Jeralyn Castillo, right, uses her arm to ward off the defense of Shirley’s FC’s Muneaki Arai during the second half of their Division 2 game in the M-League last Sunday at the Oleai Sports Complex Field. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The CNMI Women’s National Team won the opening game in the spring season of the 2016 M-League after downing Shirley’s Football Club, 3-2, last Sunday at the Oleai Sports Complex Field.

The Commonwealth’s women’s crew registered two early goals to gain cushion against Shirley’s en route to start its bid in Division 2 on a positive note. Jeralyn Castillo recorded WNT’s first goal as she found the back of the net in the eighth minute, while Irish Pagarao handed the team its second goal seven minutes later. Shirley’s FC also hit the board in the first half, courtesy of Jack Phan’s shot in the 20th minute.

In the second half, Castillo scored anew for the insurance, while Rodwealth Espana sliced the deficit to one again with his goal in the last three minutes of the match. Castillo and company hung in there, challenging a couple of attempts from Shirley’s in the closing minutes of the game.

In other Division 2 results, the Thundercats shut down World Resort, 2-0.

Peter Oh and Brand Ohng nailed one goal apiece for the Thundercats with the former scoring in the 38th minute and the latter in the 46th.

There are two more teams entered in Division 2 with idle Kanoa FC and Sun Palace joining the Thundercats, World Resort, Women’s National Team, and Shirley’s FC.

Kanoa will have its season debut this Saturday when it faces Shirley’s at 4:30pm. Sun Palace will also play its first game of the seasom this weekend when it taks on World Resort on Sunday at 4:30pm. One more Division 2 match will be played this Sunday with WNT battling the Thundercats at 1:30pm.

Meanwhile, Paire FC/Inter Godfather’s had a rousing start in the lone Division 1 game last weekend as it crushed Matansa, 7-1.

Yogesh Singh starred in the easy win after making a hat-trick, which came in succession in the second half. Chris Nelson, Ajani Burrel, William Dunn, and Dave Bush chipped in one goal apiece. Young Ha Hwang tallied the lone goal for Matansa.

Three other squads will be playing in Division 1 with MP United, Tan Holdings, and Korean Football Association on Saipan completing the list.

MP United will see action for the first time this season against Paire on Sunday afternoon, while KFAS will collide against Matansa in the other Division 1 match this Sunday at 3pm. Tan Holdings has a bye in Week 2 of the league and will have its first game on Feb. 21 versus Matansa at 3pm.