By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

WITH a slightly different team that played in their first Gold Cup match, head coach Ricqea Bain is confident that the women’s national soccer team will perform much better as they christen the newly renovated field at the Roscoe Davies Developmental Center.

The women’s team, coming off a 0-0 draw to the US Virgin Islands on the road on October 29, will host the US Virgin Islands in a rematch on Wednesday, starting at 3pm in their CONCACAF Road to the World Gold Cup. The match is open free to the general public and Rolle and the rest of the team are encouraging all to come out and support them.

“Despite facing adversities, including a tough loss, a red card and subsequent challenges, our team showcased unweaving determination,” she said. “The journey may not be as fast as we would like, but we are moving in the right direction, establishing a foundation for future success.”

After losing their first game to Grenada, Bain said they have refined the team to help them overcome the deficiencies that they encountered as they look forward to improving on their performances this time around as they elevate themselves and secure positive results on the field.

“At the beginning of our journey on our home turf, we celebrated our inaugural goal, symbolising our strength in familiar settings,” she pointed out. “With the majority of our players under the age of 21, coupled with more exposure and development, our team is poised for continued improvement.”

She thanked the public who came out and supported them against Grenada and she encouraged them to come out and support them in Wednesday’s game against the US Virgin Islands.

Bahamas Football Association’s deputy general secretary Carl Lynch said the game is not just a highlight for women’s soccer in the Bahamas, but a celebration of their team’s participation in the tournament.

“We are excited and we would like to share this moment with you. We would like to see as many of you cheering on our team,” he said. “Just a reminder, the event is a free event, so please come early and get your seat to support our national team as they bring home the victory.”

While the team is playing in League C, the Bahamas would have to finish on top of the standings in order to be promoted to continue play in the Gold Cup next year. But Bain indicated that it’s out of their realm, so the best they can do is finish in second place if they can beat the US Virgin Island on Wednesday.

Named to the team to play against the US Virgin Islands are Rokesia Sands, defender; Dalexis Huyler, defender; Samantha Ramirez, defender; Jada Thelamour, defender; Jade Thelamour, defender; Meaghan Smith, defender; Samina Moss, defender; Karen Wert, defender/midfield; Rachel Rolle, midfield; Janeka Edey, midfield; Kenyonique Thompson, midfield; Hadassah Knowles, midfield; Giselle Laing, forward; Ashya Butler, forward; Demitra Mcclure, forward; Diane Maillis, Forward; Valtinique Simmons, forward; Kyrah Miller, forward; Kendi Outten, goalkeeper and Raynia Russell, goalkeeper.

Rachel Rolle, a 20-year-old student of Allen University in Colombia, South Carolina, said they are going to put their best foot forward. “I think we are all excited to play with each other and we look forward to pulling off the match,” Rolle stated.

Maillis, following in the footsteps of her father George Maillis, who played previously as a teenager for the men’s national team, said at the age of 27, she is excited to play in honour of our country.

“I go into this game, winning on my confidence on and off the ball, movement without the ball ensuring that I get this, I’m on the team for a reason and I just have to make the most of it,” she stated.

Kelsie Johnson-Sills, the director of sports in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, congratulated Team Bahamas.

“Women in sports is truly a good thing and to have a 17-year-old (Maillis) making a national team and talking about some of the things she wants to do in the game, truly gave me some feedback to when I used to play on the national team,” said Johnson-Sills, who excelled as a high jumper and a member of the women’s national volleyball team.

She encouraged the general public to come out and support the team, which is being coached by a young lady. The team, by the way, consists of no player or member of the coaching and management staff over the age of 30.