Bermuda’s hopes of achieving a medal in women’s hockey at the Central American and Caribbean Games have received a blow with defeat to Barbados in their opening group match.

Coach Kovin Moodley had made no secret of his ambition to reach the podium ahead of their first game in the Dominican Republic but his team will now need to show improvement after a 3-2 defeat.

The game was all square at half-time with the teams going in 1-1 after Jennifer Chisnall scored for Bermuda and Nakira Downes netted for Barbados. It was Bermuda’s opponents who came out strongest in the second half with Downes grabbing her second goal of the game to give Barbados the lead.

Ayana Wilson made it 3-1 before Yvonna Osborne pulled one back for Bermuda.

Bermuda may consider themselves unfortunate with the match statistics suggesting the two teams were evenly matched. Bermuda had 49 per cent possession, with the teams having two penalty corners each and Bermuda putting the ball into the attacking circle ten times compared with just eight for their opponents.

Next up for Bermuda is a clash with the Dominican Republic on Thursday, followed by a match against Puerto Rico on Saturday.

The Bermuda women’s team has never finished in the top four in their eight previous attempts at the CAC games, with their best being fifth in 1990 and 1998.