The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas suffered a heartbreaking loss yesterday and remained winless at the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Girls' Under-15 Championship.

The Bahamas surrendered a second-half lead to Guyana in a 3-2 loss as they closed out group play at the tournament, hosted at the IMG Academy campus in Bradenton, Florida.

Gabrielle Simms got the brace for Team Bahamas with goals in the 15th and 33rd minute of the game.

Simms got Team Bahamas on the board early and capitalised on the miscommunication by several Guyanese defenders with her first goal of the game.

Guyana had several fast-break opportunities but went offsides on five separate occasions throughout the first half.

Bahamas goalkeeper Alexis Deveaux made an aggressive move on a corner kick to keep Guyana scoreless on one of their better scoring opportunities of the first half.

A lapse in defensive judgment allowed Guyana's Kersti Thomas to score the equaliser in the 24th minute.

The Bahamas would regain the lead late when the Guyanese goalkeeper attempted to clear the ball, but Simms made a fantastic individual effort.

Simms was in an opportune position to deflect the kick and converted an empty net goal from deep with the keeper out of position.

The Bahamas took a 2-1 lead at the half.

Guyana's Jenea Knight drew a penalty in the box, and converted on a penalty kick in the 70th minute to tie the game at 2-2.

Shacaylah Williams would score the go-ahead goal at 1:49 in extra time to give Guyana their first win of the tournament.

Team Bahamas includes Simms, Shabrea Davis, Kendi Outten, Chante Bain, Takiyah Holbert, Kaitlyn Davies, Angel Williams, Asia Williams, Daniella Gomez, Charlotte Fernie, Julia Raine, Paige Smith, Chane Rodriquez, Hadassah Knowles, Amelia Fernie, Rachel Rolle, Brianna Capron and Janeka Edey.

The team is managed by Daria Adderley and coached by Kevin Davies.

Billed as the largest CONCACAF tournament ever for female participants, the tournament includes the participation of a record amount of the organisation's Member Associations and two invited teams from UEFA.

"This year's Girls' Under-15 Championship exemplifies CONCACAF's commitment to providing access to world-class playing environments for more of our young players from across the region," said CONCACAF general secretary Philippe Moggio.

"We're pleased to return to IMG Academy, and we're especially excited to see so many young women from across the region get the chance to experience a top-level CONCACAF competition. This event will be a positive influence for these girls in both their playing careers and young lives."

As part of a year of women's football in CONCACAF that includes the CONCACAF Women's Championship, and the Women's Under-17 and Under-20 Championship, the expanded Girls' Under-15 Championship will provide access to international football for over 500 girls from across the CONCACAF region, enhancing opportunity for long-term development and growth of the women's game in the region.