Girls’ U-15 national team take CONCACAF opener
Girls’ U-15 National Team (standing, L-R) Shayana Windsor, Hannah Scott, Satiah Miller, Alexia Bromfield, Chloe Bentick-Lalli and Molly Kehoe; (kneeling, L-R) Lilly Powery, Kayla Bradley, Artemis Deslandes-Hydes, Katriona Williams and Ethana Villalobos
(CNS Local Life): The Cayman Islands Girls’ Under 15 National Football Team defeated the Bahamas 4-1 in their opening Group E game Monday, 6 August at the CONCACAF Girls’ Under 15 Championships at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. The team raced to a commanding 3-0 lead by halftime courtesy of goals from Chloe Bentick-Lalli in the 12th minute, Alexia Bromfield in the 16th minute and Molly Kehoe in the 33rd minute.
The score could have been significantly higher as the team had numerous opportunities to add to their lead including a missed penalty in the sixth minute, stated a CIFA press release. The Bahamas played the majority of the game with 10 players as defender Brianna Capron was given her marching orders after committing the foul which presented the Cayman Islands with the penalty early in the match.
Despite being down a player, the Bahamas struck in the 40th minute just as the second half resumed to make the score 3-1 as Gabrielle Simms grabbed what would be the Bahamians only goal.
Kehoe scored again in the 66th minute to restore the three-goal cushion for the Cayman Islands.
With the intense heat playing a major factor in the pace of the game, a rash of changes were made by head coach Alex Gonzales-Garces and assistant coach Shakeina Bush, which would pay dividends in keeping the lead.
In the 58th minute, Riley Doyle replaced Kayla Bradley; in the 62nd minute, Kasey Golding came in for Ethana Villalobos; in the 68th minute, Nassaria Williams entered the fray for Lilly Powery and in the 69th minute, Kalie Ebanks replaced Shayana Windsor.
Commenting on the win, Bush, who also serves as chairperson of the CIFA women’s committee said, “This victory was very important as it gave the girls the opportunity to rid themselves of any nerves they may had coming into the tournament. Our second half was not as strong as the first, but the 93 degree heat definitely played a part in that.
“We had a number of opportunities in front of goal but for some reason, we couldn’t finish. With the win and the performance, the girls are in good spirits for tomorrow’s (7 August) game against Guyana.”
She added, “It is refreshing to see many leaders emerge from the team and take responsibility for keeping the girls together, focused and unified, often using the hashtag and slogan “One Team, One Goal.”
The Cayman Islands face Guyana today (7 August), and round off Group E play with a game against St Lucia on Thursday, 9 August. The winners of Group E will face the winners of Group D in the semifinals on Friday, 10 August for a place in the final on Sunday, 12 August.
In other Group E action, Guyana defeated St Lucia 3-1.
St Lucia beat Guyana 3:1 on Monday. Cayman beat Guyana 2:0 today and face St Lucia on Thursday.
http://www.concacaf.com/en/under-15-girls/schedule-results#tab_team=rounds