St. Kitts, Curacao start Women’s Under 17 with wins

Both St. Kitts and Nevis and Curacao started CONCACAF Women’s Under-17 Championship Qualifying on a winning note with victories to open play on Wednesday, Oct. 20 at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fl.

CONCACAF said St. Kitts and Nevis sit atop Group A at the end of the first day following a 4-1 win over the US Virgin Islands (USVI).

First half goals from Sharema Blake (15’) and Mikayla Gumbs (25’) had St. Kitts and Nevis in control with a 2-0 halftime lead, CONCACAF said.

“The USVI would make things interesting though, as a Malaika Rouse own goal (56’) made for a compelling final half-hour of play,” it said.

“However, in the end, goals from Trisha Nisbett (77’) and Jahzara Claxton (90+4’) sealed the 4-1 triumph for St. Kitts and Nevis,” it added.

CONCACAF said Curacao also collected three points to open their campaign in Group B with a 3-1 victory against Belize.

“It looked like the teams would arrive into halftime scoreless, but Curacao duo Draynishaina (44’) and Julainy Thielman (45+2’) had other ideas and struck three minutes apart to make it 2-0 to Curacao at intermission,” CONCACAF said.

“Belize would battle back in the second half and cut the deficit to 2-1, with Khalydia Velasquez (52’) getting her name on the scoresheet, but a late insurance goal from Draynishaina (90+2’) completed the 3-1 scoreline for Curacao,” it added.