LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN FINE DEBUT FOR WOMEN'S PRO FOOTBALL.

Byline: Gerry Gittelson Staff Writer

On their first play on defense, the Los Angeles Lasers were flagged for roughing the passer.

Professional football returned to L.A. on Saturday night, and it was hard-hitting, fast-paced, crisp and entertaining. And this is a women's professional football league.

The San Fernando Valley-based L.A. Lasers of the new Women's American Football League put on a surprisingly competitive performance in front of about 700 at Taft High in Woodland Hills. Surprising, not because these were women playing football. Surprising because their execution was excellent for any team opening a season.

``I don't have a girl's body. I've been waiting to do this all my life,'' said lineman Kay Luke, 38, a 5-foot-9, 255-pound Mission Viejo mother of two who played for the opposing Long Beach-based California Quake. ``There just aren't a lot of women's sports that reward size and strength. I'm so excited, and my kids, especially my 9-year-old daughter, think this is very cool.''

The Lasers jumped to an early 14-point lead and won 22-14.

``I think this league has a pretty good chance to succeed,'' said Lasers quarterback Heidi Barron, a 27-year-old medical transcriptionist from Fullerton. ``I was absolutely excited before the game but a little scared because I didn't want to get hurt.''

Barron has been practicing with her 40 teammates since August. On Saturday, the Lasers got off to a wobbly start: They were penalized for delay of game on their first offensive play.

But Barron orchestrated an eight-play, 72-yard touchdown drive on the Lasers' first possession, capped by Tiffany Maxwell's 9-yard touchdown run. Three series later, Barron hit Diane Dodd on a 23-yard touchdown pass to give the Lasers a 14-0 lead. Maxwell scored again in the third quarter on a 50-yard run.

Lasers coach David Perez is a former North Hollywood High assistant. Offensive coordinator Bobby San Jose played football at UCLA in the late 1980s.

``I've got two or three players who I think are really good athletes,'' said San Jose. ``They could play high school football and be pretty good. A lot of the ladies played rugby or soccer, so they execute well. Physically they can hold their own better than people would think.''

General manager Chuck Masterson, the dean of students at North Hollywood High and a former Chico State player, said he bought the franchise with a group of investors for $20,000. He's seen women's professional football leagues fail in the past but believes high-quality football, instead of flashy promotional schemes, will be the league's biggest selling point. Teams follow NFL rules.

``I think we have better athletes in this league than the others,'' Masterson said. ``All the players and all the owners are more serious. We're not going to go away. We're looking at this as a long-term investment. We've got to be patient as we grow and not outrun ourselves. It's one step at a time.''

Masterson said he's made a deal with players and coaches to share 30 percent of the profit after the season - if there is a profit.

As for the women, they had more important things on their minds. Most were playing tackle football for the first time.

The Lasers return to Taft on Saturday to play host to the San Diego SunFire at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $10; children 12 and under are free.