Bermuda defeated Antigua and Barbuda 3-1 in their opening game of the Concacaf Girls’ Under-15 Championship in Florida yesterday.

Che Dowling gave Bermuda the lead in the seventeenth minute with a shot that squeezed past the Antigua goalkeeper.

Marli Butterfield then doubled their lead by capping a mazy dribble by chipping the goalkeeper in the 28th minute.

Antigua pulled a goal back in the 64th minute through Jada Benjamin, but Bermuda restored their two-goal advantage four minutes later when Adia Gibbons converted a one-on-one opportunity.

Bermuda face Barbados in their final group two match today.

The four group winners will advance to the semi-finals on Friday, with the final being held on Sunday.

Danni Watson, the Bermuda captain, believes the championship will be an eye-opening experience for her team-mates.

Watson, who is playing in her second championship, told the Bermuda Football Association website that she is excited to test herself against some of the best players in the region.

“This is my second run at the under-15 championships and it means a lot to me to be able to play again,” the defender said.

“This tournament means a lot to me because it allows me to develop my skills as a young player. Also, it gives me an opportunity to work on my captaining abilities for future tournaments.

“This tournament will open the eyes of other young players. Being able to play in such a tournament will expose them to so many other people who are just as good as they are.

“This can motivate them to push themselves to become better players.”

Katelyn Medeiros is among Bermuda’s 18-strong squad competing at the at IMG Academy in Bradenton. She is also competing at the championship for a second time.

“I’m so proud to be representing Bermuda, especially at such a young age,” Madeiros said. “This competition is going to give me a lot of experience on and off the pitch.

“Football is my passion and playing at this level, against other countries, will push me to play harder and build my confidence. This will help me towards my goal of being a professional player.”

Koa Goodchild, the Bermuda vice-captain, said football has “opened many doors for me”.

She said: “I have made many lifelong memories and friends through football and have had the chance to be on a team with the best team-mates a girl could ask for.

“This tournament is significant to me because I have the opportunity to play with a whole different set of girls who have potential to become something great. I strongly believe this tournament will bring the best out in them and they will, just like I did, fall in love with the sport and continue on with their journey in football.”

Twins Jahni and Jahdé Simmons are delighted to have both been given the chance to impress in Florida.

“Jahdé and I have been playing together for almost seven years,” Jahni said.

“Playing with a sister is like having a coach by your side to encourage you to do your best at good and bad times.

“When I got picked for the national team I was full of joy. But when I heard that my sister got picked I was even happier. We push each other to do better.”

Jahdé added: “Since day one we have been playing with boys so that made us tougher on the field. About a year ago, we began training with the National Academy trying to make it to the under-15 team and we finally did it.

“I felt nervous but excited to get picked for the national team. As soon as I got home I told my whole family. I was happy that my sister got picked to play for the team because she could motivate me to do my best and to never give up on the field.”