SAIPAN — The Northern Mariana Islands women’s national team dropped both of its matches against Taiwan at the Women’s EAFF E-1 Football Championship preliminary competition on Guam, falling 5-0 and 13-0 in back-to-back games.
The NMI was drawn into a two-team Group B with Taiwan, facing the higher-ranked side twice in the preliminary tournament held June 3 to 9 at the Guam Football Association National Training Center. Though overmatched on the scoreboard, the squad carried the Commonwealth’s flag on the regional stage.
The tournament features national teams from Guam, Korea Republic, Taiwan, Macau and the NMI competing for a place in the next EAFF E-1 Championship. The top team from each group advances to a final to decide which side moves on.
The NMI roster: Mia Abuan, Aubrey White, Orica George, Dianne Pablo, Khristelle Itaas, Joselynn Atalig, Summer Manahane, Jannah Casarino, Jerlyn Castillo, Kaithlyn Chavez, Aubrey Castro, Deseha Mendiola, Julie Chavez, Rizza Relucio, Sophia Quintos, Bernadette Horey, Gabrielle Race, Christina Atalig, Alyssa Borlongan and Hailey Benavente.