BAJAN GIRLS FALL TO GUYANA

Despite putting in a much-improved performance, Barbados’ junior women’s hockey team slumped to their second successive loss at the Junior Pan American Hockey Championships today.
After being humiliated 20-0 by Chile on Tuesday, the Bajan girls had a better showing but still went down 3-0 to Guyana at the Hockey Centre this afternoon.
The loss ended the home side’s hopes of securing a spot in the knockout stage of the competition.
With just one more game remaining against Canada, they are firmly rooted at the bottom of Pool B.
An appreciative crowd was once again on hand at the Astro Turf to cheer on the home side in today’s must-win encounter.
The Bajans didn’t start too brightly, however, as Guyana was awarded a penalty corner within the first two minutes of the game.
Following that corner, Guyana was subsequently awarded a penalty and Abosaide Cadogan stepped up to the spot to fire a powerful shot to the right of Barbados’ goalkeeper Ysobel Jones, who stood no chance.
Cadogan, who was a constant threat, almost doubled her side’s lead minutes later but her shot went narrowly wide.
Guyana was not to be denied though, and their second goal was one of beauty.
Sarah Klautky dribbled past two Barbadian defenders just past the halfway line before sending a powerful and precise pass that picked out Cadogan just outside the box.
The crafty forward then weaved her way inside the box and laid off the ball to Georgiana Fernandes in front of goal who slotted it past a hapless Jones to make it 2-0 in the eighth minute.
Klautky fired a shot just wide of the target as Guyana continued to push forward, and Jones was called into action, kicking away a long-range effort seconds later.
Barbados’ defense was constantly under pressure and Guyana was awarded several penalty corners which they failed to convert.
The score remained 2-0 at the half, but soon after the resumption Guyana missed a perfect opportunity to extend their lead but Cadogan unbelievably missed from point-blank range with just the keeper to beat.
In the third quarter Barbados had its best opportunity of the game to score when they were awarded a penalty corner. However, they were not able to properly execute and Guyana’s defense cleared the danger.
Cadogan eventually made amends for her miss, grabbing her second goal after Klautky unselfishly sent her through on goal in the 47th minute to make it 3-0 and put the contest to bed.
In women’s action from Pool A, Argentina defeated USA 2-0 to remain unbeaten and top the group.
Among the men, Canada defeated USA 4-0 to jump to the top of Pool B with six points, while Chile beat Brazil 2-0 in Pool A to record their first win of the competition.
(RB)