02 Jan Women’s Intermediate Soccer Promotes Fitness, Fun
The promotion of fitness may have attracted many women to play in Guam Football Association’s Women’s Intermediate 7-A-Side Recreational League, but other aspects of the sport keep them playing weekly at the GFA National Training Center.
“Most of us are part of the U.S. Air Force Reserve, where we emphasize fitness and playing the sport is a part of our fitness,” said Sonic Boom’s Corine Benavente. “I started playing in the GFA Soccer Moms League last year and this is my second intermediate league. From playing in all those leagues, I’ve developed a strong liking to the sport.
“Sometimes it’s difficult to commit to every practice session as many of us are parents with full-time jobs, but my kids keep my motivated,” added Benavente, whose 7-year-old daughter Hana Flores plays in the Triple J Auto Group Robbie Webber Youth Soccer League with the ASC Trust Islanders.
In Week 3 of the intermediate league, Sonic Boom played against the Heat Wave in close battle from start to finish.
“Since we committed to play in this league, it’s been a work in progress with the players,” said James Pangindian, Sonic Boom coach. “We just need a little more practice for the women to improve their skills and also for better results. During training sessions, I focus on basic fundamentals of the sport and application of basic skills during matches.”
Pangindian, an eight-year soccer coach, volunteers his time on Tuesdays and Thursdays to coach the Sonic Boom team.
Week 3 matches also featured Femme Fatale against the Queen Cobras and Pika Soccer Club against the Lady Bombers.
The women return to the pitch Sunday with the Queen Cobras playing against the Heat Wave in all-southern showdown at 4:15 p.m. on United Airlines Field 2A. Sonic Boom will face the Lady Bombers on the adjacent field also at 4:15 p.m. The Island Eye Specialists/LASIK Lady Eye-Landers will take on Femme Fatale on United Airlines Field 3, also kicking off at 4:15 p.m.
Sonic Boom’s Corine Benavente looks for a way to get through the Heat Wave defense during a Week 3 Guam Football Association Women’s Intermediate 7-A-Side Recreational League match at the GFA National Training Center Sunday.
The Heat Wave’s Darla Topasna sprints to the goal facing defensive pressure from Sonic Boom’s Corine Benavente during a Week 3 Guam Football Association Women’s Intermediate 7-A-Side Recreational League match at the GFA National Training Center Sunday.
Femme Fatale’s Annette Roberto moves to get past the defense of Queen Cobras’ Angel Dydasco during a Week 3 Guam Football Association Women’s Intermediate 7-A-Side Recreational League match at the GFA National Training Center Sunday.
Pika Soccer Club’s Arlene Pestanas looks over her shoulder before maneuvering around the defense of the Lady Bombers’ Christina Lary during a Week 3 Guam Football Association Women’s Intermediate 7-A-Side Recreational League match at the GFA National Training Center Sunday.
The Queen Cobras’ Cierra Borja races to the goal with the ball during a Week 3 Guam Football Association Women’s Intermediate 7-A-Side Recreational League match against Femme Fatale at the GFA National Training Center Sunday.
The Lady Bombers’ Melissa Albalos runs in to try to kick the ball away from Pika Soccer Club’s Susan Lupola during a Week 3 Guam Football Association Women’s Intermediate 7-A-Side Recreational League match at the GFA National Training Center Sunday.