Cayman Islands put 4 past Suriname
(CIFA): The Cayman Islands under 20 Women’s Team opened their CFU World Cup Qualifying campaign with an impressive 4:0 win over the hosts Suriname. An excited crowd was on hand at the Essed Stadium in Paramaribo, Suriname, to witness Cayman take on the home country. The first half of game did not live up to the billing as both young teams showed signs of nerves and seemed to be overwhelmed by the occasion. The Cayman Islands were fielding a very young team — eight of Cayman's starting eleven were 18 years old or younger. Cayman managed to create a number of half chances in the first half but were unable to convert and went into the dressing room at half time 0:0. The second half saw Cayman take the ascendancy, the girls came out firing on all cylinders and opened the scoring in the 48th minute from a set play.
Shanice Monteith bent in an inviting cross that was converted by Courtisha Ebanks, who managed to rise above the Suriname defenders and power home her header. Two minutes later Cayman doubled their lead with a superb 25 yard lob from Brianna Hydes, who caught the Suriname keeper off her line. Brianna’s goal seemed to push Cayman into overdrive as they came with wave after wave of attack. Suriname’s resistance was breached again in the 60th minute when Marrisa McLaughlin latched onto a cross from Jetena Bodden, who worked tirelessly all game.
The rout was completed in the 75th minute when Shanice Monteith manufactured a goal out of nothing; Cayman Captain Jessica Ebanks found Monteith in space on the half way line, who then ran 45 yards with the ball before calmly slotting home Cayman’s fourth.
Head Coach Eric Dobrzanski was very satisfied with his team's second half performance and result. Dobrzanski said, “The team played an inspired second half and proved that they wanted to make a statement in this round of Qualifiers. They realized the adjustments that needed to be made and capitalized. I could not be more proud of every single one of the girls who was wearing a Cayman jersey tonight.”
Cayman Islands Striker Shanelle Frederick from the Cayman Brac, who is only 15 years old, was a constant threat in attack and instrumental in everything that Cayman had to offer going forward. Shanelle said, “It’s an honour to put on the Cayman Shirt and play with these girls. They are all my sisters and we are a family. I should have had a few goals tonight but the main thing is that the team won and now we focus on Trinidad and Tobago.”
The Cayman Islands Under 20 National Team will play Trinidad and Tobago Thursday 20 October in their final Qualification game of the first round. Kick off is 5pm Cayman time. For updates, highlights and information please visit www.facebook.com/caymanfootball
Cayman Islands Women’s Under 20 Squad: Emily Kelly, Brittany Bodden, Giselle Johnson, Brianna Hydes, Marissa McLaughlin, Jessica Ebanks, Courtisha Ebanks, Shanice Monteith, Jetena Bodden, Brittany Mobley, Brittni Ebanks, Kimberly Rivers, Chelsea Greene, Somali Hall, Kaela Ebanks, Tacita Berry, Shanelle Frederick, Chelsea Brown, Janel Ebanks, Neesah Godet.
See game highlights:
Goal 1: Courtisha Ebanks: Watch video
Goal 2: Brianna Hydes: Watch video
Goal 3: MarissaMcLauglin: Watch video
Goal 4: Shanice Monteith: Watch video
Category: Sports
Well done girls…..
Congrats girls! YOu should play the mens team in a friendly and shame them into training. lol
Congrats to the girls and the entire team. Girls, aim for your goals not only in football but all your goals in life. Brittni Ebanks, you have a dad that is VERY proud of you. Follow your dream.
Those girls have substance. They work hard and have pride in themselves. Thiago Cunha has a genuine concern for their future. He wants to see them excel. He is exceptional. Most of the time, a good team has a good coach. Hats off to him. Keep going girls. Each step has value. Cayman is proud of you.
Yes Girls! This is what Caymanian women are about. Fighting for success. Two thumbs up to Thiago Cunha. He has EXCEPTIONAL COACHING TALENT. He genuinely wants the best for those girls. Some are on overseas soccer scholarships while others are exceling at home.Keep it up Coach. Cayman appreciates your dedication.
Look like the girls schooling the men's team on how to work through World cup qualifying.
MASSIVE KUDOS to these young Caymanians. Stay the course and keep the ball going in the right direction!
Ok, can we give the girls at least the same opportunities as the boys now?
Awesome and keep it up, you amke us all proud. The Cayman boys/mens teams could learn from our girls teams. Thiago and coach Eric have instilled discipline and confidence in them and thanks to all the parents and supporters.
if our guys trained as hard as our ladies they would get the same results. Trust me they practice about 6 days a week, I have the gas bill from taking my daughter to prove it.
Congrats all, and a extra huge congrats to Shanelle Frederick. Show um what us Brackas are made of!
Congrats to Shanelle and all the Girls….you all are great players! A job well done!
Awesome!!
Hard to decide my favorite goal! gosh!
ok, courtisha's headerwas great work getting space from several defenders –
brianna chipping the keeper showed great vision
marissa's finish was clinical and
shanice's goal showed she is a real striker -creating oppourtunities and finishing
wow, wow, wow and wow
YOU GO GIRLS
They are all great goals but I got goose bumps watching Hydes control in an very difficult placement.
OUTSTANDING for all. Well done to coach Martha who is like a second mom to all these girls.
Big hail up to the Cayman females who have proven that training,motivation love of country and discipline can equal success. We pray that your lives are touched by this your moment in history and that you will not only continue to excell but that you will also endeavor to pass it on to those who come behind you. Hail Up again and may God continue to Bless you and these beloved Cayman Isles.
Good foot work and congratulations on your win! Just continue to work hard and stay focused. We are proud of you.
Well done girls!! We are very proud of you. It makes such a wonderful change to read this positive story and the one about the Fraser brothers' accomplishments at the Pan Am games. Congratulations to all the parents and coaches for their dedication over the years to reach these goals, and for the hard work and fortitude of the athletes. I've heard it suggested that all Cayman students be required to take part in organised sport during their school years. This would certainly help their fitness levels and perhaps we could be reading only positive stories about our children instead of all the depressing gangster shooting stories of children who have not been guided in a proper way.
Congratulations, you girls and your support team are making Cayman so proud.
Congrats to our ladies! Great job.
The success of sports brings joy and unity to a country,Cayman is badly wounded at this moment and we call all do well with some good news,congrats to our U-20 womens national team and god Bless.
Congrats, these ladies really "run things" in sports for the Cayman Islands !!!
Boat Captain, what we need to do now is to make sure that these girls are well taken care of at home. Making sure they have all the necessary to practice, good food, and relaxed home invironment. These are our girls of tomorrow and we love you. Con grats.
CONGRATS on a job well done…………………….
Girlpwer! Way to go girls, keep up the good work!
CONGRATS GIRLS. You all make us proud. XXXX
Well done girls!
Congrats! Job well done girls!
Congratulations and well done to all!
These girls are performing very well, we hope Thiago Cunha will not be thrown out like Bobby McFarlane was after their 2009 success. We pray that no coach will be fired after this success.
Terrific!! What a great day for Cayman sports — individual (Frasers) and team (girls fball)!
Well done all
I am very proud of you all! Keep up the good work!
Congrats to all the players. Your accomplishment is absolutely fantastic news. Furthermore, I would like to say thank you to all the coaches and parents who dedicate their time and efforts towards building a stronger national team program.