CAGAYAN DE ORO -- Ozamiz City in Misamis Occidental is changing its image now slowly becoming a powerhouse in Girls Futsal tournament in Region 10.
Thanks to the efforts of a passionate coach whose love for football is bottomless.
James Dela Vega Jr., a civil engineer, a businessman and an AFC C Licensed coach, has been coaching football in Ozamiz City for a while. But since 2017, after attending the FIFA Futsal coaching course, has focused on Futsal and the Stonefield Damas Football Club.
In three years, under Dela Vega’s guidance, the Girls of Stonefield Football Club have started reaping the dividends when they finished runner-up in the 2018 Northern Mindanao Regional Athletic Association (NMRAA) Meet in Tangub City.
This year, they have collected many titles. They won the CDO Xtreme Five title and were runner-up in the Alicia Futsal, Imelda Futsal, Kinabayo 7-Aside in Capitan and in the Oktoberfest Futsal in Davao.
Last weekend, the Stonefield Damas made up of players from Misamis University and Ozamis City National High School, have gone one step forward capturing the Girls 17 title and finishing third in the Women’s Open category of the Pinay In Action Bulua Fiesta Futsal Festival at the Bulua National High School in Bulua, Cagayan de Oro City.
“These girls were just fresh from elementary when I started training them,” said James after they won the Girls 17 title by beating the Voltz FC of Iligan City, 1-0.
The Volz FC team will also represent Iligan City in the NMRAA.
A lone goal by winger Julia Sabuero in the first half won the title for the Stonefield FC against the Voltz FC. The Voltz team of coach Emmanuel Judith tried to push forward for an equalizer but the strong defense put up by defender Micka Ella Dugaduga and goalkeeper Britzel Polinar saved the day for the Stonefield Girls.
Sabuero for her efforts, won the Best Winger award, while Edna Montecino was named as the Best Forward (pivot) of the tournament and Dugaduga as the Best Defender and Polinar as the Best Goalkeeper. St. Mary’s School-Higala FC top player Chantal Van Ommeren won the Top Scorer award.
Completing the Damas roster for the NMRAA meet are Trexie Alfeche, Mariel Fabriga, Angel Turado, Mae Claire Dela Cruz, Leah Reyes, Carmel Blado, Ma. Carmela Ampalayo, and Eva Joyce Matikas.