Evans earns Bahamas draw against T&T
CONCACAF.com
Goalkeeper Sheryl Evans made several dramatic saves and gave the Bahamas a 0-0 draw with Caribbean rival Trinidad & Tobago on Monday, sending both teams home from the CONCACAF Under-17 Women's Championship with a point each.
Evans, who replaced Cori Strachan at halftime of the Bahamas' 6-0 loss to Mexico on Saturday and allowed only one goal, was active throughout with her team on the defensive for most of the match.
But she charged off her line to block Donika Murray in the 32nd minute, tipped Diarra Simmons' drive over the bar in the 63rd and then thwarted Khadidra Debesette at the left post in the 66th to preserve the shutout after the Bahamas had surrendered 16 goals in their first two games.
Trinidad still finished third in Group B on goal difference ahead of the Bahamas, which was playing in the CONCACAF finals for the first time at any level. Neither teams scored a goal in their three matches.
The match was an improvement for the Bahamas, which lost to Trinidad 3-0 in Caribbean qualifying on January 12.
The Soca Princesses were playing after losing a second player to a broken nose in the tournament. After Victoria Swift suffered her injury in the third minute of Trinidad's loss to Mexico in their opener on Wednesday, Khadisha Debesette was struck with a shot by American Andi Sullivan in the 55th minute of Saturday's defeat to the United States.
Offensively, Bahamas produced little. Clayre Saunders was able to get a touch to a ball in the Trinidad area before it was cleared in the 20th and Saunders hit the outside of the net in the 55th.
Otherwise it was largely Trinidad's game.
Anique Walker, Shanisa Camejo and Jonelle Warrick all had shots before Murray was sent in alone on a ball out othe back. Bahamian defender Taj Dorsett missed her tackle but Evans came off her line to the middle of the area to deny Murray.
After Evans used both hands to push Simmons' right-footed drive from 30 meters up and over and then thwarted Khadira Debesette after she had beaten Dorsett and Raunice Butler on the left side of the area.
She then got low to stop two shots in consecutive minutes, the last stretching to her right to get a hand to Zoe Swift's skipping shot and then leaping on the loose ball.
Teams
Trinidad and Tobago: - Lebrisca Phillip, Jonelle Warrick, Adeka Spence, Marlique Asson, Shanisa Camejo (Zoe Swift 46th), Nikkia Billouin, Diarra Simmons, Naomie Guerra (Emma Abdul 90th), Khadidra Debesette, Anique Walker (capt) (Rhonda Guiseppi 88th), Donika Murray.
Coach: - Even Pellerud.
Bahamas: - Sheryl Evans, Shelby Carbin-Green, Taj Dorsett, Lindsay Seymour, Raunice Butler, Lauren Haven, Dena Ingraham, Kennadi Green, Tate Cuffy (Amari Bethel 65th), Clayre Saunders, Akwah Thompson (Keisha McCartney 74th).
Coach: - Daria Adderley.
Referee: - Cardella Samuels (Jamaica).
