12-Mar-2006 - Maylee Attin-Johnson does not lack in confidence. As a member of the T&T’s 18 and Under national team, she’s seen soccer at a high level. ... More.

23-Jan-2006 - Trinidad & Tobago defeats Panama 3-1 to claim third in the 2006 CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Final Round qualifiers. T&T striker Maylee Attin-Johnson scored in the sixth, 45th and 69th minutes, respectively, for the soca princesses, while Joan Rodriguez had the only goal for Panama. ... More.

21-Jan-2006 - Canada and the host Mexico secured their berths to the semifinals of the 2006 CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Final Round after defeating Panama and Trinidad & Tobago, respectively, in Group A at the Estadio Luis Pirata Fuentes in Veracruz on Friday. ... More.

19-Jan-2006 - Canada and the host Mexico opened the 2006 CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Final Round with victories over Trinidad & Tobago and Panama, respectively, in Group A at the Estadio Luis Pirata Fuentes in Veracruz on Wednesday. ...More.

12-Jan-2006 - Identical twin Maria and Marissa Mohammed are eager to don the national colours at the 2006 CONCACAF Women’s Under-20 Final Round Qualification in Mexico from January 18-27. ... More.

31-Dec-2005 - A spirited all out second half attack saw Trinidad & Tobago’s  Under 20 Women footballers come away with a 2-0 victory over Venezuela’s Under 20 women’s team in a friendly at the Irigo Brigido Estadio Nacional in Caracas on Friday evening. ... More.

29-Dec-2005 - Trinidad & Tobago’s Under 21 women footballers came from a goal down to draw 1-1 with their Venezuelan Under 20 counterparts in a friendly encounter at the Brigido Iriates National Stadium in Caracas on Wednesday evening. ... More.

20-Dec-2005 - Identical twin-sisters, Marissa and Maria Mohammed are among three newcomers eager to join the T&T national Under-20 Women’s team which will compete in 2006 Concacaf Women’s Under-20 Final Round Qualification competition. ... More.

22-Nov-2005 - Trinidad & Tobago have been grouped with hosts Mexico and defending champions Canada and Panama in Group A for the CONCACAF leg FIFA Under 20 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers to be held in Mexico from 18-27 January 2006. ... More.

18-Nov-2005 - Strikers Maylee Attin-Johnson and Kennya Cordner each scored twice to guide Trinidad and Tobago to a 4-0 trouncing of Suriname in the final match of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Women’s Under-20 series at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Arima on Thursday night. ... More.

17-Nov-2005 - Goals from Kennya Cordner and Stephanie Barrow gave T&T’s Women Warriors their first win of the 2005 Caribbean Football Union Women’s Under-20 Competition as they beat Haiti 3-1 in their second of their three-match programme. ... More.

15-Nov-2005 - The Trinidad and Tobago women's Under-20 team stumbled in their quest to qualify for the CONCACAF round of qualifying for the World Youth Championships when they were beaten 1-0 by Jamaica in Caribbean Football Union qualifying on Sunday night. ... More.

04-Nov-2005 - Twenty three players were selected by national coach Jamaal Shabazz for a week-long camp, ahead of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Under-20 Women’s Final Round qualifiers here in Trinidad. ... More.

28-Sept-2005 - Maylee Attin-Johnson does not lack in confidence. As a member of the T&T’s 18 and Under national team, she’s seen soccer at a high level. ... More.

23-Aug-2005 - T&T Under- 20 women footballers qualified for the final leg of Concacaf’s Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament with a 18-goal to nothing spree over host St. Lucia, at the Mindoo Phillip Park on Sunday. ... More.

21-Aug-2005 - Not even the presence of former T&T men’s coach Zoran Vranes on the opposing team’s bench could stop the T&T Under-20 woman footballers from running rings around the St Vincent and the Grenadines at Mindoo Phillip Park in Castries, St Lucia on Friday afternoon. ... Full Story.

19-Aug-2005 - T&T scored an emphatic 11-0 victory over Grenada in the opening match of the CFU leg Concacaf U-20 Women’s World Cup qualifying tournament, on Wednesday at the Mindoo Phillip ground in Castries, St Lucia. ... Full Story.

17-Aug-2005 - Technical Director of the national women’s football teams Jamaal Shabazz has called for a stronger local women’s league, as a means of enhancing the talent pool. ... Full Story.

19-Jul-2005 - FC Indiana of the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL) defeated visiting Trinidad & Tobago WNT 3-0. ... Full Story.

13-Jul-2005 - T&T’s senior and Under-19 women footballers are scheduled to leave for Gochon, Indianapolis, US at eight o’clock tonight for a tour from tomorrow to July 24. ... Full Story.

MORE NEWS:

Cordner scores five goals in women’s opener.

News: T&T Guardian.
23-Jun-2005 - Kenya Cordner banged in five goals, including a second half hat-trick as Real Dimension kicked off its campaign in the T&T Women’s Football Association League competition with a resounding 13-0 win over UWI at the Ato Boldon Stadium, Couva on Sunday.
Cordner, who is eyeing inclusion in the national women’s team that leave next week for a camp in the USA, got support from Janine Francois and Tyechia John.
In addition to Cordner’s first-half pair, Francois netted a hat-trick and Tyechia John, got two as their team rolled to a 7-0 lead at the interval.
Alania Burgin, a former national striker, also made a winning return to club football after a two-year hiatus, with two second half goals while Tamar Watson added the other.
Earlier on in the day, the 2005 league competition began with a parade of the participating clubs led by Joe Public, the reigning Women’s Premier Division league and FA winners.
The other clubs who will be competing in this year’s Premier Division are last year’s runner-up United Petrotrin and newly promoted Vandykes, winners of last season’s First Division.
Teams competing in the First Division are Rio Claro United, Central United, Arima Ball Masters and Memphis Sports Club.

Tasha St Louis joins Wildcats.

njwildcats.com.
8-Jul-2004 - Trinidad & Tobago Star is Latest International Addition
The New Jersey Wildcats added to their international collection of stars today with the announcement of the signing of Trinidad & Tobago National Team star Tasha St Louis. She arrived in the United States today and will be available for Saturday's game against the Long Island Lady Riders.
The arrival of St Louis - a dangerous attacking player - comes at a good time for the Wildcats, who lost team captain and leading scorer Kelly Smith for the season last week. The England standout suffered a fractured fibula last Friday in a 2-0 victory over the Western Mass Lady Pioneers.
St Louis, 20, has played with the National Team of Trinidad & Tobago for four years since the age of 17. She was named the T&T "Footballer of the Year" in 2002. St Louis has also played for the Caridoc Stingrays club team in Trinidad.
St Louis played a key role for the T&T Under-19 National Team in its attempt to qualify for the FIFA U-19 World Championships. The Soca Princesses fell short in the final round of the CONCACAF qualifying tournament held in Trinidad but St Louis was named to the All-Tournament team for her efforts. The Wildcats host Long Island on Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. in their only appearance of the season at Memorial Stadium in New Brunswick.

The Tasha St Louis file:

Born: December 20, 1983.

Hometown: Port of Spain, Trinidad.

Member of the Trinidad & Tobago National Team for four years since the age of 17.

Named the T&T "Footballer of the Year" in 2002.

Played a key role for the T&T Under-19 National Team in its attempt to qualify for the FIFA U-19 World Championships.

Led the Soca Princesses to the final round of the CONCACAF U-19 qualifying tournament and was named to the All-Tournament team.

Played for the Caridoc Stingrays club team in Trinidad.

Panama, Trinidad & Tobago close out U-19 group play with victories.

02-Jun-2004 - Panama and Trinidad & Tobago closed out their participation at the 2004 CONCACAF Under-19 Women’s Final Round in Canada with victories over Jamaica and Dominican Republic, respectively on Tuesday afternoon.
Panama (1-2-0, 3 Points) topped Jamaica (0-3-0) 2:0 in Group A play, at the Frank Clair Stadium in Ottawa, Ontario in Group A play. Goals by forwards Yohan Rodriguez and Amarelis DeMera in the 36th and 85th minutes, respectively, led the canaleras to the win over the reggae girlz.
In Group B, Trinidad & Tobago (1-2-0, 3 Points) edged Dominican Republic (0-3-0, 0 Points) at the Molson Stadium in Montreal, Quebec.
Midfielder Shurell Burton gave the Soca Princesses a 1:0 lead in the opening 13 minutes of the game, but forward Yohanna Santelis leveled the score (1:1) for the Dominicanas in the 45th minute-mark. Forward Kennya Cordner notched the game-winner for Trinidad & Tobago a few minutes later for the 2:1 final.

TRI: 1-Gail-Ann Thomas – 2-Ayana Russell, 3-Kia Rigsby, 4-Anastasia Prescott, 5-Katrina Meyer, 6-Jemilia Mathlin, 8-Nadia James (46: 7-Niasha Reyes), 9-Maylee Attin-Johnson, 11-Aveann Douglas, 13-Afiya Castle, 16-Shurell Burton (35: 15-Kennya Cordner) (78: 10-Dernell Mascall).

DOM: 1-Heidy Salazar – 2-Jiselly Rodriguez, 4-Ana Diaz, 5-Niurka Hernandez, 9-Yolanda Osana Valerio, 10-Yohanna Santelis, 11-Davilayda Uribe (58: 8-Rainelsa Peralta), 13-Maria Mojica (42: 17-Esmerlyn Garcia), 14-Oliva Santana (31: 15-Leonela Mojica), 19-Yadirsa Fernandez, 20-Ana Brendaly Frias.

Costa Rica humbles U-19 soccer women 4-1.

T&T Guardian Reports.
29-May-2004 - The young women footballers of T&T went under 1-4 to Costa Rica in their CONCACAF Under-19 Women’s World Cup Final Round qualifier, finishing the match with only nine players.
By half-time in yesterday’s tournament Group “B” opener at the Mc Gill University’s Molson Stadium in Montreal, Costa Rica held a comfortable 2-0 advantage over the T&T girls.
By that time also, the T&T team was already depleted to 10 players as experienced play-maker/striker Maylee Attin-Johnson was given marching orders withinin the first 15 minutes, after she retaliated following her being fouled from behind.
On the resumption, a rejuvenated T&T team got a life-line when US-based forward Ahkeela Mollon, who attends Young Harris College, reduced the deficit to 2-1.
But Costa Rica reclaimed a two-goal cushion mid-way in the second-half.
After making three substitutions, stand-in T&T head coach Marlon Charles and his technical staff received another blow when Mollon had to be taken to hospital following a collision with a Canada goalkeeper which left her unconscious.
The speedy Mollon was sent through on a one-on-one with the goalkeeper, who was the better off after the collision, but Mollon was shown the red card for her tackle, further reducing her team. Costa Rica added another goal to complete the 4-1win.
Several of Trinidad and Tobago's "Soca Princesses" have opted to travel to Canada with the national under-19 women's football team rather than take their Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) examinations. Among those putting their future on hold in favour of representing Trinidad and Tobago are Aveann Douglas (St George's College), Nadia James (Malick Senior Comprehensive), Afiya Castle (Malick), Jemilia Mathlin and Niasha Reyes.
In the second match scheduled yesterday in Montreal, host team Canada was to oppose Jamaica in Group “A.”
Over at the Frank Clair Stadium in Ottawa, Mexico handed Central American rivals Panama a 5-1 thrashing after leading 2-1 at the interval in Group “A” while USA was scheduled to meet the Dominican Republic in the night’s final match in Group “B.”
T&T’s next match will be against defending FIFA U-19 World champion team USA tomorrow while Costa Rica will face the Dominican Republic. In Group “A” Jamaica will tackle Mexico and Canada will clash with Panama.
The eight-team tournament will conclude on next week Sunday (June 6) with the top two nations qualifying for the FIFA Under-19 World Championships in Thailand from November 10 to 27.

SQUAD: 1-Ann Thomas – 2-Ayana Russell (13-Afiya Castle 71st) 3-Kia Rigsby, 5-Katrina Meyer, 6-Jemilia Mathlin, 8-Nadia James, 9-Maylee Attin-Johnson, 10-Dernelle Mascall (7-Niasha Rayes 56th), 11-Aveann Douglas, 12-Ahkeela Mollon, 16-Shurell Burton (15-Kennya Cordner 82nd). 

Booked: N. James 41th, Sent off: Attin-Johnson 22th, A. Thomas 86th.

Women footballers get $91,500.

T&T Guardian Reports.
22-May-2004 - This country’s under-19 women’s footballers will participate in the CONCACAF Under-19 Women’s World Cup qualifiers which kick off in Canada on Wednesday. The Ministry of Sport and Youths Affairs came to the team’s assistance with $91,500.
Until Thursday morning it was uncertain wheather the group of 18 players and six officials would been able to make the trip, because there was no confirmation that tickets were bought for the team.
But later that evening, national coach Jamal Shabazz received the good news that the tickets and money for hotel accommodation and meals had been paid for by the Ministry to the sum of $89,000 while an addition $2,500 was provided for departure tax.
The news was a welcome one to the players who have been hard in training for the past five months.
The local girls to be led by Malick Senior Secondary captain, utility player Nadia James will compete in Group “B” with defending FIFA U-19 World champion USA, Costa Rica and Dominican Republic. Host Canada is in Group “A” with Mexico, Panama and Jamaica.
The eight-team tournament kicks off on Friday and will conclude on June 6 with the top two teams qualifying for the FIFA under-19 World Championship in Thailand from November 10 to 27.
The T&T team will start its tournament versus Costa Rica at the Molson Stadium, on Friday and will oppose USA two days later, before completing the preliminary round schedule on June 1 versus the Dominican Republic.

T&T Team: Nadia James (captain), Gail-Ann Thomas, Amy Boisson, Anastasia Prescott, Kia Rigsby, Aveann Douglas, Dernelle Mascall, Ayana Russell, Katrina Meyer, Niasha Reyes, Tandia Taylor, Afiya Castle, Kennya Cordner, Jemilia Mathlin, Shurrell Burton, Maylee-Attin Johnson (vice-captain), Kermica Alexander and Ahkeela Mollon.

Technical Staff: Jamal Shabazz (coach), Marlon Charles (assistant coach), Ross Russell (goalkeeper coach), Kestor Lendor (assistant coach), Izzler Browne (assistant coach), Wayne Lawson (physiotherapist), Ricarda Nelson (manager).

TT advance in U-19 women football.

T&T Newsday Reports.
23-Mar-2004 - Trinidad and Tobago Under-19 women footballers have cemented their place for the final CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers in Canada with a comprehensive 5-0 victory over Suriname in Paramaribo on Sunday. Prolific goal-scorer Maylee-Attin Johnson and Aveann Douglas got two goals each in Sunday’s match, while midfielder Dernelle Mascall got the other. Coach Jamal Shabazz team won the first leg here 2-1, and Suriname needed to win at least 1-0 to advance. Trinidadian goalkeeper Gail Ann Thomas was forced into two vital saves inside the opening 10 minutes, as the Suriname women went goal hunting.
But Attin-Johnson dampened the Surinamese spirit when she collected a pass from Mascall and dribbled past two defenders before smashing her shot past goalkeeper Lorraine Dompig in the 12th minute. This same striker doubled the lead in the 26th minute with a brilliant solo effort, leaving several Suriname defenders in her wake before drilling her shot past a helpless Dompig. Mascall got into the act in the 34th when her swerving free-kick deceived Dompig to put the match way out of the Surinamese reach. Suriname were awarded a 50th minute penalty when defender Kia Rigsby was pulled up for handle ball. Goalkeeper Lorraine Dompig stepped up to take the kick and watched her powerful shot bounce off the bar.
And Suriname fell further behind when skipper Nadia James put striker Douglas through the Suriname defence to score. Douglas scored again five minutes later, this time with a clinical left-footed finish. Trinidad and Tobago scored a sixth time in the 85th minute, but diminutive Tobago striker Kennya Cordner who came on as a substitute for Attin-Johnson had her goal disallowed for off-side. The final CONCACAF Women’s Under-19 Qualifying Tournament will be held in Canada between May 28 and June 6.

TT U-19 girls edge Suriname.

By Joel Bailey.
14-Mar-2004 - Two goals in the space of six minutes gave Trinidad and Tobago Under-19 women footballers a narrow 2-1 win over Suriname in their first leg CONCACAF Under-19 qualifier at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya Road, Tunapuna, yesterday. But a defensive breakdown in the dying seconds gave the Surinamers a vital away goal, which can prove crucial in the return leg in Paramaribo on March 21. The national squad struggled to break down the defensive-minded Suriname team, with Aveann Douglas volleying overbar in the 35th from a right-side centre by Maylee Attin-Johnson.
Attin-Johnson had two chances to open the scoring but failed at both attempts, shooting straight at goalkeeper Lorraine Dompig in the 47th after she was sent clear by playmaker Dernelle Mascall, and sending her left-footed volley over bar from a cross from Douglas. But the introduction of Tobago striker Kenya Cordner on the hour-mark changed the complexion of the match. After she was tackled by defender Ruth Jeso in the 63rd, the pint-sized Cordner got up, received the return ball from Attin-Johnson and shot past Dompig to the delight of the crowd numbering about 500. Attin-Johnson will later double the lead in the 69th, tapping home a right-side free-kick from Ayanna Russell.
But in the 75th , Cordner watched her 20-metre drive smash against a post and rebound into play. The Suriname outfit got their consolation goal in stoppage time, when defender Anastasia Prescott failed to clear a loose ball in the penalty box and Aisa Smit shot home past flat-footed Trinidad and Tobago goalkeeper Gail-Ann Thomas. 

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO: Gail-Ann Thomas; Anastasia Prescott, Katrina Meyer, Kia Rigsby, Jamilia Mathlin (Tandia Taylor 78th); Ayanna Russell, Lindsay Des Lauriers (Kenya Cordner 61st), Nadia James (capt), Dernelle Mascall (Shenelle Warrick 61st); Aveann Douglas, Maylee Attin-Johnson.

SURINAME: Lorraine Dompig; Ruth Jeso, Eleonoor Wish (capt), Rowena Taworae (Xiomara Dompig 85th), Charisse Jahaoemo; Jeffa Plato, Nathalie Benjamin, Onica Tol (Kembely Prias 79th); Aisa Smit, Melissa Sakramo.

T&T Women Defeat Haiti 6-2.

01-Mar-2004 - (CONCACAF) The USA topped Mexico 2:0 to claim the Group B title at the 2004 CONCACAF Women’s Pre-Olympic Tournament at the Estadio Nacional in San Jose, Costa Rica on Sunday.
An own goal by Mexican defender Maria De Jesus Castillo and a tally by USA forward Abby Wambach in the 10th and 26th minutes, respectively, gave the stars & stripes the 2:0 victory and first-place in the Group B standings with nine points (3-0-0), while the tricolor finish second with six points (2-1-0) as both head into the CONCACAF Pre-Olympic Tournament Semifinals scheduled for Wednesday (3 March) at the Estadio Nacional.
Three goals by forward Natalie Des Vignes led Trinidad & Tobago (1-2-0, 3 Points) to a 6:2 victory over Haiti (0-3-0, 0 Points) in an earlier encounter at the Estadio Nacional.
Forward Maylee Attin-Johnson, midfielders Raeann Elder and Leslie Ann James each added a tally for the soca princesses, while defender Fernande Hilaire and midfielder Nadege Deca had the only goals for the haitian squad in the loss. Dispite the win, TnT will however finish third on the final group B standings with Haiti resting at cellar place. (USA 9, Mex 6, TnT 3, Haiti 0).
After the semifinals, tournament concludes on 5 March at Estadio Eladio Rosabal Cordero with the third-place game at 18:00, while the Final is set for 20:00. The finalists will also earn the two CONCACAF berths for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.

TRI: 20-Lisa Jo Ramkissoon – 2-Janelle Noel (4-Sedonna Agard 71st), 3-Raeann Elder, 5-Nadia James (10-Tasha St Louis 62nd), 9-Maylee Attin-Johnson, 12-Ahkeela Mollon, 13-Aveann Douglas, 16-Leslie Ann James-C, 17-Natalie Des Vignes (14-Tanekar Alexander 75th), 18-Terrie Lisa John, 19-Katrina Meyer.

HAI: 1-Gina Montinard-C – 3-Judith Fenelon, 4-Kencia Marseille, 5-Elirose Jean-Louis, 6-Fernande Hilaire, 7-Yvette Felix, 9-Marie Viola Nord (16-Nadege Deca 80th), 10-Sherline Ridore, 13-Pharana Jean-Louis, 14-Natacha Cajuste (8-Myrlande Bien-Aime 46th), 17-Adeline Saintilmond (11-Darline Lundy 73rd).

USA smash Trinidad and Tobago 7-0.

26-Feb-2004 - San Jose, Costa Rica (AP) - Shannon Boxx scored three goals as the United States beat Trinidad and Tobago 7-0 in the opening of 2004 Olympic soccer regional qualifying on Wednesday.
It was the first hat trick as a national team member for Boxx, who also made the all-tournament team in last year's World Cup.
Mia Hamm, soccer's career goals leader, scored twice, and Kristine Lilly and Abby Wambach also had goals.
T&T's best chance came in the 33rd minute when Tasha St Louis dispossessed a U.S. defender in the back and played Jinelle James free into the left side of the penalty area. James shot hard at the near post, but U.S. goalkeeper Briana Scurry, with her only save of the day, coolly pushed the blast away for a corner kick.
``It was a great start to the tournament for us, because the last time we played T&T, they packed it in so deep that we had trouble solving their bunker,'' coach April Heinrichs said. But part of the difference today was that they came out away from their goal and we were just dynamic in the attacking third.''
The Americans dominated despite playing 20 minutes of the second half with only 10 players because Leslie Osborne was sidelined after a collision with a T&T player. Osborne, who knocked heads with a Trinidad defender, returned for the final five minutes.
"The goalkeeper for Trinidad & Tobago was outstanding in the second half," said Heinrichs. "She saved five or six goals just by herself." The U.S. team quickly demonstrated why it is a favorite to take one of the two Olympic slots, scoring six goals in the first half.
Boxx opened the scoring in the 23rd minute. Lilly followed with a goal in the 27th off a pass by Hamm. Then Hamm's corner kick set up a second goal by Boxx.
In the 44th minute, Hamm blasted a shot past goalie Nicole Mitchell into the upper left corner of the net.
In the final two minutes of the half, Wambach put the United States up 5-0 and fired a pass to Hamm, who knocked in her second goal. Boxx scored her third in the 82nd minute on a pass from Aly Wagner.
``I was really just in the right place at the right time today,'' said Boxx. ``Over the next few games I'll continue to work on my defense, and if I get another goal, that's great. But once we built a big lead, one thing we know is never to get comfortable. T&T came at us a few times when we relaxed, and we didn't want that, we wanted the shutout. We wanted to make sure defensively, we stayed solid.''
In the other qualifying game, Patricia Perez scored three goals as Mexico shut out Haiti 5-0, Perez opened the scoring in the sixth minute after a soaring pass left her alone in front of the goal. In the second half, she knocked in goals in the 55th and 63rd minutes. Maribel Dominguez had the other two goals for the Mexicans. Trinidad and Tobago will now face Mexico on Friday and then Haiti on Sunday and, at the conclusion of the first round, the top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals scheduled for 3 March at the Estadio Nacional in San Jose.

USA: 1-Briana Scurry – 3-Christie Pearce, 4-Cat Reddick, 7-Shannon Boxx, 9-Mia Hamm, 11-Julie Foudy-C (10-Aly Wagner 46th), 13-Kristine Lilly, 14-Joy Fawcett, 15-Kate Sobrero, 16-Lindsay Tarpley (5-Leslie Osborne 46th), 20-Abby Wambach (8-Shannon McMillan 71st).

TRI: 1-Nicole Mitchell – 2-Janelle Noel, 5-Nadia James (6-Niasha Reyes 69th), 7-Jinelle James (17-Natalie Des Vignes 71st), 8-Regina McGee, 9-Maylee Attin-Johnson, 10-Tasha St. Louis, 11-Kathy-Ann Nixon-C, 12-Ahkeela Mollon, 16-Leslie Ann James, 18-Terrie Lisa John (3-Raeann Elder 53rd).

T&T Women U-19s distress Anguillans 12-0.

By Mark Pouchet.
16-Feb-2004 - Before the match, the Anguilla team officials claimed to know what to do against Trinidad and Tobago.
In their return game in the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Concacaf Under-19 World Cup qualifying tournament at the Marvin Lee Stadium yesterday, that knowledge was either not put into practice or didn't amount to much as the hosts' under-19 team drubbed Anguilla 12-0.
A brief cut in the electricity supply forced players to sing their national anthems. But the T&T players' dominance over their Caribbean opposition never surged.
The superiority of captain Nadia James T&T team was permanent-technically, strategically and clinically.
For the whole of the first period, Anguilla failed to string together more than two complete passes as T&T keeper Gail Ann Thomas was never forced to make a save or was put under pressure.
Her counterpart Keturah Caines was bombarded.
Striker Aveann Douglas, scorer of one of two hat-tricks, started the rout as early as the 6th minute when an absent Anguillan defence saw her collect the ball and strike past Caines on a one-on-one.
T&T never let up in the period. Their influential midfielder Maylee Attin-Johnson blasted a left-footer home six minutes later as they easily made inroads into the Anguillan defence. Douglas followed with another. Attin-Johnson added two additional items, while Dernelle Mascall and Jamilia Mathlin struck one goal each to send T&T into the interval 7-0 up, putting the result of the match beyond a shadow of a doubt. Anguilla showed more fight in the second period but it could not make up for their lesser ability. Caines saw two own goals from Melissa Carty and Vernessa Bradley go past her, while Douglas completed her hat-trick and substitue Sherva Charles and Ayanna Russell added to the visitors' distress.

T&T Team: 1-Gail Ann Thomas, 5-Ayanna Russell, 3-Katrina Meyer, 6-Jemilia Mathlain, 7-Niasha Reyes (17 Reycine Clarke 57th), 8-Nadia James (capt) (14-Sherva Charles 65th), 9-Maylee Attin-Johnson (16 Kermica Alexander 57th), 10-Dernelle Mascall, 11-Aveann Douglas, 13-Kia Rigsby, 15-Anastasia Prescott.

Anguilla Team: 5-Jaynelle Lake (capt), 3-Denecia Niles (10-Neria Richardson 78th), 7-Vernessa Bradley (16-Tahira Banks 81st), 6- Melesa Anderson, 15-Melissa Carty,2- Cardeena Richardson, 4-Shanella Browne (Audra Rogers 45th), 11-Karisa Lake, 12-Kericia Barry, 1-Keturah Caines, 8-Monique Carty.

Referee: Varnette Laing (Bahamas), assistant referees: Cynette Jeffrey , Nykasu Liverpool (Guyana), fourthe official: Shane De Silva (T&T), commissioner: Patrick John (Dominica).

Goal Scorers: Maylee Attin-Johnson 3, Aveann Douglas 3, Dernelle Mascall, Jemilia Mathlin, Sherva Charles, Ayanna Russell, Melissa Carty (og), Vernessa Bradley (og).

Attin-Johnson scores three against Anguilla in CONCACAF U-19 qualifier.

T&T Guardian Reports.
10-Feb-2004 - Maylee Attin-Johnson scored three goals to lead the Trinidad and Tobago Under-19 women footballers to a convincing 5-0 away first-leg win over Anguilla as they kicked off their Caribbean Football Union CONCACAF Under-19 World Cup qualifying series.
Mucurapo Senior Comprehensive School team’s defender Jemilia Mathlin opened the scoring for T&T in the 18th minute to silence the Webster Park crowd before Diego Martin Government Secondary schoolgirl and Stingrays club striker Attin-Johnson took over the starring role.
Attin-Johnson gave the locals a 2-0 advantage at half-time with her first goal in the 32nd minute.
Two minutes into the second-half, all chances Anguilla (6-0 and 4-0 winners over St Lucia in the previous round) had of clawing back into the match were dashed by Attin-Johnson’s second goal for a 3-0 lead.
St George’s College forward Kermica Alexander made it 4-0 for T&T in the 60th minute with her first goal in national colours, before Attin-Johnson completed the scoring in the 68th minute.
The T&T girls, captained by Nadia James, the Secondary Schools Football League’s “Female Player of the Year” and captain of Malick girls’ team who won the SSFL championship and inter-col knockout series, were due to return home last night.
The return leg match will take place at the Marvin Lee Stadium in Macoya, Tunapuna, on Sunday from 3 pm and striker Ahkeela Mollon, who is studying at Young Harris College in the United States is expected to join the team.
Mollon missed Sunday’s match because of school commitments.
The team winning the T&T/Anguilla tie will meet the surviving side from the Suriname/Dominica play-off , with the winner advancing to the CONCACAF finals in Canada.

Improved TT women hold Canada.

By Joel Bailey - T&T Newsday.
21-Jan-2004 - An improved performance by the Trinidad and Tobago senior women football squad, but the local lasses were held 2-2 by the Canadian Under-19 outfit at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar, Arima on Monday night. The Canadians ended the three-match tour with a record of two wins and one draw during their week-long stay. The visitors went ahead in the seventh minute through Aysha Jamani, but the striker failed to convert in the 35th, when she sent her sliding right-footed attempt wide off the mark. But Trinidad and Tobago did not let those setbacks affect their play, and equalised in the 38th minute. A Tasha St Louis freekick on the left flank was headed by Natalie Des Vignes to the path of co-striker Jinelle James whose follow-up header caught the Canadian defence off-guard.
Both teams went back and forth seeking the go-ahead goal, with the TT women taking the lead in the 56th. St Louis sent a through-ball in the middle to James who, free on the right, sent a low right-footer past the reach of Canadian goalkeeper Stephanie Labbe. Their joy was almost shortlived when, three minutes later, national goalkeeper Nicole Mitchell-Thomas was forced to intercept an attempt from Lisa Collison, who collected a loose ball on the right. Mitchell-Thomas turned from hero to villain when the Canadians levelled the scoring in the 85th. Stephanie Gibson, who entered the field two minutes earlier, got a through ball on the right and, after sprinting past defender Terri-Lisa John, she was given the easy option by the TT goalie to slot home into the near (left-side) corner of the net.
Collison was also involved in a one-on-one try with Mitchell-Thomas in the 87th but her attempt went wide of the mark while, in the dying seconds, substitute strikers Maylee Attin-Johnson and Tanekar Alexander failed to convert during a goalmouth scramble. In related news, national midfielder Leslie-Ann James, who suffered neck injuries during Saturday’s encounter at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Tunapuna was also among the crowd at Monday’s match. James, who turned 23 yesterday, revealed that her injuries were not as severe as it looked but will have to miss two weeks of football as well as her duties with the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). But the Joe Public playmaker is hopeful to recover fully to resume training with the team ahead of the CONCACAF Women’s Olympic qualifiers in Mexico next month.

Canada whip TT women 3-2.

By Joel Bailey - T&T Newsday.
19-Jan-2004 - National midfielder Leslie-Ann James was hospitalised after she was struck with a ball on her neck from close range, during Saturday’s women friendly international football against Canada Under-19s at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya, Tunapuna.
But the visitors won their second match of their three-game tour on a muddy outfield, by a 3-2 margin. Striker Aysha Jamani (10th and 14th) and midfielder Lisa Collison (35th) were the scorers for the Canadians while Natalie Des Vignes (20th) and captain Kathy-Ann Nixon (63rd) replied for TT. James’ injury occurred in the 78th minute and, after being attended to by newly-appointed TT men’s senior team physio Zephyrinus Nicholas, team doctor Terrence Babwah and members of the Canadian medical staff, the 22-year-old was rushed to the Medical Associates Hospital, St Joseph.
Assistant coach Marlon Charles said yesterday that “she has a few aches and pains but no damage to her neck and spine,” adding that the team’s vice-captain was discharged that same night and is expected to make a full recovery. Commenting on the match, coach Jamaal Shabazz admitted: “We let in too many soft goals.” “We controlled the midfield and we had more possession, but it proved to be ineffective because we didn’t convert it into chances,” he continued. “They, on the other hand, played very direct and capitalised on the loose marking by our team in and around the (penalty) box.”
Both teams will meet today from 7 pm at the Larry Gomes Stadium, Arima. But, in addition to James’ injury-forced absence, the local lasses will feature two changes with Under-19 players Aveann Douglas and Katrina Meyer replacing Rae-Ann Elder and Regina McGhee, who both returned to the US.

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO: Nicole Mitchell-Thomas; Janelle Noel (Regina McGhee 73rd), Terrie-Lisa John, Kathy-Ann Nixon (capt), Nadia James (Tanekar Alexander 52nd); Leslie-Ann James (Terri-Lisa Abdool 90th), Jinelle James (Rae-Ann Elder 62nd), Nyasha Reyes, Tasha St Louis; Maylee Attin-Johnson (Sedonna Agard 15th), Natalie Des Vignes (Dawn-Marie Alfred 62nd).

CANADA: Stacey Vanboxmeer (Stephanie Labbe 46th); Katie Radchuck, Marie Parrault-Mercier, Stephanie Gibson, Emilly Zurrer; Kate Bazos, Selenia Iacchelli, Veronique Maranda, Lisa Collison; Katie Thorlakson (capt) (Sari Raber 46th), Aysha Jamani (Josse Belaner 15th).

Ghost of Marvin Lee.

By Ian Prescott - T&T Express.
19-Jan-2004 - Jamaal Shabazz, Trinidad and Tobago's women's national football coach commented that he saw the ghost of Marvin Lee when defender Leslie Ann James lay sprawled on the field nearing the end of T&T's match against the visiting Canada Under-19 team Saturday at Marvin Lee Stadium, Macoya.
James, who is known to team-mates as "Lady Roberto Carlos", fell heavily and sustained a neck injury after being felled by the full impact of the ball which struck her hard in the face as she tried to prevent a cross from a Canadian attacker.
What looked initially like a routine injury soon turned into a panicked situation as the game was stopped for 15 minutes to allow attention to be given to the female footballer.
Initially, James was attended to by the local technical staff. But when T&T captain Kathy Ann Nixon ran cross-field to summon the female doctor attached to the Canadian squad, those on hand started to realise it was a more serious situation than it first appeared.
The Canadian doctor raced towards James and after examining the player for a few minutes she told coach Shabazz that the injured player should be taken to hospital. Shabazz raced in the other direction to summon an ambulance to take Leslie Ann to hospital.
Wayne Cunning-ham, a T&T Pro League Match Commis-sioner and announcer on the night, commented that the last time Shabazz ran, he probably was a teenager--so the situation had to be serious.
Yesterday, Shabazz said James reported Leslie Ann had suffered a concussion and a neck injury. Shabazz, also explained that Dr. Terence Babwah, who is attached to the T&T team, was on duty at the San Fernando General Hospital, but had made arrangements with the Canadian doctor in case there was a medical emergency.
"My mind ran on Marvin Lee one time. It was a situation of panic, We thank God it was not a repeat of that situation, I saw the ghost of Marvin Lee," Shabazz said.
Marvin Lee sustained a neck injury on March 20, 2001 after running head first into American Landon Donovan during a CONCACAF Under-20 qualifier at the Centre of Excellence ground at Macoya which was later re-named after him. An MRI scan showed that a neck bone had been fragmented, leaving Lee with permanent neck and spinal injuries which ultimately led to his death two years later due to complications. Lee later became an inspiration to all in Trinidad and Tobago because of his undying will to live and his undiminished hope for the miracle of a full recovery. His positive outlook also touched Sepp Blatter, president of football's governing body (FIFA), who awarded him the FIFA President's Award in September 2001.
The good news is that Leslie Ann is up and about and returned home after being taken to Medical Associates, where she was attended to. A precautionary x-ray proved that nothing was wrong with the T&T defender. James was given an injection to revive her and was informed by the attending physician than she had strained a ligament and that she will have to return for a check-up tomorrow.
James yesterday described to the Express the horrifying moments when she lay on the ground, when both the medical professional from the Canadian team and national coach Shabazz were racing around to get her treatment.
"I get hit direct in my face. My lips were swollen and my neck flick back (from the impact of the ball). As I fell down, I felt something sharp in my neck. When I was on the ground I was hyperventilating...and I was going to sleep and waking up all the time. They had me on the ground for a long time."
As a result of the injury, James is out of today's return match between the Canadian Under-19 team and the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic squad. That match will be played from 5 p.m. at Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar, Arima. James has been told that she needs to rest and build up the muscles in her neck. The Canadians won Saturday night's match 3-2.

Canada women blank Under-19s.

By Joel Bailey - T&T Newsday.
17-Jan-2004 - Canada Under-19 team began their three-match tour of Trinidad on a winning note on Thursday, defeating the national Under-19 squad 3-1 at the Marvin Lee Stadium, Tunapuna.
The match, used by the Trinidad and Tobago lasses as a warm-up ahead of the forthcoming Caribbean Football Union (CFU) qualifiers, proved crucial as it showed the advances made as well as the amount of work needed in the weeks ahead. The local girls were noticeably tentative and overawed in the first half, as they struggled to make any headway against a clearly fitter and well-meshed Canadian outfit. But the TT squad showed great heart in the second stanza, as the valiantly took the fight to the visitors. A moderate-sized crowd of 1,000 did not even settle in to their seats when the Canadians went ahead after seven minutes, with midfielder Veronique Maranda driving her 25-metre attempt past TT goalkeeper Lisa-Jo Ramkissoon. The three-player back-line of captain Nadia James, Kia Rigsby and Katrina Meyer, in addition to defensive midfielders Nyasha Reyes and Dernelle Mascall, seemed unprepared for the quick-moving Canadian attacks, led by captain Katie Thorlakson and Aysha Jamani.
Constantly catching the TT defence with a series of short passes and movement off the ball, the visitors went two goals up in the 17th. A quickly-taken freekick by Kate Bazos found Jamani on the right and, after getting the better of Rigsby (who had a torrid time on the left), slotted home past a flat-footed Ramkissoon. Striker Maylee Attin-Johnson worked hard up front for the local girls, and was involved in the first meaningful attack in the 39th, with a left-side pass finding Aveann Douglas clear on the right but her half-volley sailed overbar. A minute later, Trinidad and Tobago earned a penalty when tiny Tobagonian striker Kenya Cordner was brought down in the box by Emilly Zurrer. But James’ spotkick was held, on the rebound, by goalie Stacey Vanboxmeer. Ramkissoon’s tendency of sending the ball out to her defenders instead of clear up-field was prone to error, and it backfired in the 51st, when substitute striker Josse Belaner outfoxed Meyer on the right and, after racing clear of the defender, rolled the ball under the dive of the TT keeper and into the back of the net. TT’s two most energetic and enterprising players, Attin-Johnson and Russell, teamed up for the team’s lone item in the 70th, with Attin-Johnson’s audacious right-side lob from a Russell throw catching Vanboxmeer off-guard.

Trinidad and Tobago: Lisa-Jo Ramkissoon (Gail-Ann Thomas 83rd); Nadia James (capt), Katrina Meyer (Christine Rose 78th), Kia Rigsby (Anastasia Prescott 52nd); Ayanna Russell, Nyasha Reyes, Jamilia Mathlin, Dernelle Mascall (Tandia Taylor 68th), Aveann Douglas (Stephanie Barrow 83rd); Kenya Cordner (Kermica Alexander 52nd), Maylee Attin-Johnson (Joseann Boyce 86th).

Canada: Stacey Vanboxmeer; Emily Zurrer, Marie Parrault-Merrier, Stephanie Gibson, Katie Radchuck; Kate Bazos (Amanda Ciccinni 59th), Veronique Maranda, Lisa Collison, Sari Raber (Selennia Iacchelli 37th); Aysha Jamani (Josse Belaner 46th), Katie Thorlakson (capt).

Warner presents late Christmas gifts to Women footballers.

By: Shaun Fuentes.
07-Jan-2004 - Members of the Trinidad and Tobago's women senior and under 19 teams were a thankful bunch on Tuesday evening after they received a late Christmas presents courtesy of FIFA.
FIFA Vice President Jack Warner was on hand to present over $30,000 worth of Adidas uniforms and equipment to the players to assist in their preparation for upcoming 2004 Olympic qualifying matches and World Under 19 qualifiers.
According to Richard Braithwaite, CONCACAF Director of Development, the gear was a contribution from the FIFA Women's Division after they conducted a course for women coaches at the CONCACAF Centre of Excellence last year. The course was conducted by Tatjana Haenni of the FIFA Women's Division and Hope Powell, FIFA instructor and England coach who also held sessions with the T&T side.
Warner was most pleased on the kind gesture of the FIFA which he admitted that he had some input in and promised the players that this "was just the beginning of things to come" after he also agreed to cover the out of pocket expenses for the entire team.
"Never before have I seen a bunch of players as dedicated and committed as you are and also as neglected as you are," Warner told the members of the team.
He spoke of how he was simply giving a helping hand and revealed how on request of the Canadian Association to hold meetings with their Government officials for the construction of a stadium, the result was the completion of a 30,000 seater venue which officials there thanked him for. Warner said in return he requested some friendly matches between the Canadians and T&T and the result is three friendlies here later this month with all expenses covered by the visitors. Canadian coach Ian Bridge also held a session with the T&T side and was all for the friendlies.
"When President Blatter said that the future of football of feminine he was in fact correct because it is easier for you to raise the flag of this country in football than it is for the men," said Warner.
When T&T coach Jamal Shabaaz revealed that he was "it would bring a lot of joy to their hearts" referring to Warner's agreement to cover all traveling allowances for the team, the Ken Galt Room at the Centre was filled with cheers and smiles from the enthusiastic Soca Princess'.
Warner will also present another $30,000 worth of equipment to the teams in due course.
The Women's senior team is preparing for the final round of 2004 Olympic qualifying action in Costa Rica next month and will play two games against the visiting Canadian Under 19 team on January 17 and 19 at the Marvin Lee Stadium and Larry Gomes Stadium respectively . T&T's Under 19 team will also face the same Canadians in one game on January 15 at the Marvin Lee Stadium.

T&T Women Advance to 2004 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Finals.

CONCACAF NEWS.
13-Nov-2003 - Trinidad & Tobago advanced to the Final Round of CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualification next in Costa Rica, after eliminating the host Suriname in a preliminary round series 6:2 on aggregate on Wednesday.
After taking the first-leg 2:0 on 9 November, Trinidad & Tobago completed the sweep of the series with a 4:2 victory over Suriname in the second-leg at the Andres Kamperveen Stadium in Paramaribo on 12 November.
Maylee Johnson got Trinidad & Tobago on the board first with a goal in the opening nine minutes of the match, but Denia Uliet leved the score 1:1 for Suriname with a tally in the 18th minute-mark.
Natalie Des Vignes scored twice in a span of four minutes (34th, 38th) to increase Trinidad & Tobago’s lead to 3:1, but Uliet got her second score for Suriname with four minute remaining before halftime to cut the deficit to 3:2.
Johnson would score her second goal of the game for Trinidad & Tobago in the 74th minute of the second half in the 4:2 final.
Trinidad & Tobago joins Haiti and the USA in Group B at the Final Round of the CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualification in San José, Costa Rica from 25 February – 7 March 2004. Canada and Costa Rica are in Group A in the Final Round that will qualify two CONCACAF teams to the Summer Games in Athens, Greece.

Trinidad & Tobago wins 6:2 on aggregate.

T&T Women Take Opening Leg Over Suriname 2:0.

CONCACAF NEWS.
10-Nov-2003 - The CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualification Preliminary Round continued over the weekend with Trinidad & Tobago posting a 2:0 victory over the host Suriname in the opening leg of the two-game series at the Andres Kamperveen Stadium in Parmaribo on Sunday.
After a scoreless first half (0:0), the Trinidad & Tobago got on the board in the 79th minute of the second stanza via an own goal by Suriname’s Glenoor Wilson.
Tasha St. Louis closed out the scoring for Trinidad & Tobago with two minutes remaining in the encounter for the 2:0 final.
Both will meet again in the second-leg set for Wednesday (12 November) at the Andres Kamperveen Stadium in Parmaribo at 19:00.
The winner joins Canada, Haiti, USA and the host Costa Rica in the Final Round of the CONCACAF Women’s Olympic Qualification from 25 February – 7 March 2004 in San José. The eight-team tournament will qualify two nations to the Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.

SUR: Daniella Laurence – Raquel Ziegelaar, Glenoor Wilson, Jolanda Saling, Vanessa Asami, Deborah Jeso (Rachel Righters 78th), Aisa Smith (Ethel Fraser 85th), Manuelloa Ruperti, Jennifer Buyne, Demia Vliet, Kimberly Pinas (Begnitte Righters 65th).

Suriname TD: Percy BENDT.

TRI: Nicole Mitchell – Kathy-Ann Nixon (capt), Leslie-Ann James, Terrie Lisa John, Natalie Des Vignes (Sedonna Agard 68th), Tasha St.Louis, Jenelle Nedd, Maylee Attin-Johnson (Nadia James 84th), Kia Rigsby, Aveann Douglas (Tanekar Alexander 68th), Niasha Reyes.

TnT TD: Jamaal SHABAZZ.

R: Esther Paez ALVAREZ (CUB).

Lady Roberto Carlos of TnT.

By Ian Prescott.
15-May-2003 - Her build and her pronounced thighs make Leslie Ann James stand out. So much so that her Trinidad and Tobago national team-mate, goal-keeper Lisa Jo Ramkissoon, calls her the female Roberto Carlos.
James, 22, is hoping in some measure to emulate the play of the hard-kicking Brazilian.
Two weeks ago, members of the Oakville Vipers from Canada might have thought they were facing the Brazilian himself when James ran in five consecutive goals in the Trinidad and Tobago women team’s 6-0 whipping of the Canadians at Larry Gomes Stadium, Malabar.
Able to kick with both feet, James used power and speed to overcome the stunned visitors.
Like the powerful Roberto Carlos, James also proved her prowess at the free-kick. Spotting the ball near the corner flag, she beat Canadian goal-keeper Anna Violu all ends up.
She would also emulate the Real Madrid defender by scoring twice with her left foot, the first coming when she dribbled two defenders and hit home with her left and the other coming when she met a pass with a first time drive.
James would also score from the penalty spot as she rounded off an excellent day’s work.
She considers her five-goal performance her best showing in a national team jersey.
Hailing from Chaguanas, James began playing football as a 13-year-old with Central United. There she linked with sister Stacey James, cousin Marva James and Keisha Brown in an up-and-coming Central United squad who were attracting the attention of top clubs Petrotrin, Rossi Potentials and Vandykes.
It was her love of running which first attracted her to football.
“Football had a lot of running in it,” she said. “That is why I started playing football.”
When the Central club started to fall apart two years ago, James made the move to Eastern Lions Joe Public, where she notched 18 goals and was named Most Valuable Player last season.
James has also done well at senior level. A national player for the last four years, she made her debut as an 18-year-old at the Pan American Under-21 Championships.
She has also had stints with the Trinidad and Tobago senior national team at consecutive CONCACAF Women’s Gold Cups in 2000 and 2002.
The last Gold Cup was a bitter-sweet memory for James.
Like the rest of Trinidad and Tobago, James felt that T&T had scored a victory of sorts when holding world champions, the United States, to a 3-0 scoreline.
“The game with the United States showed that we had narrowed the gap. The United States beat us 3-0... when we played them in 2000, they beat us by 11 goals.”
But after the opening high, James’ tournament crashed in the worst possible way when she was sent off in Trinidad and Tobago’s 4-2 loss to Panama.
The infringement, she explained, was an accident.
“It happened because she was so small. When I raised my hand, my elbow accidentally struck her in the face and I was sent off. I cried,” she confessed. “It hurt me bad.”
The Gold Cup expulsion was not the only disappointment that James has had to deal with in recent times.
She was on top of the world when earning a scholarship to Iowa Central Community College, USA. However, the scholarship was just a partial one and after playing one semester of football, James had to return to Trinidad because of financial difficulties.
But in the time she was in the United States, she made enough of an impression to convince Mississippi State University to promise her a full scholarship, once she finished her two years of study at the community college.
While in Iowa, James scored 25 goals that season, was selected to the First Regional team and was nominated for the All-American squad.
She was particularly pleased by the response of the Americans to women’s football and the interest shown by scouts.
Despite the setback, she is not brokenhearted by not having the financial means to continue her studies.
“I am still grateful for the experience. I hope to get another scholarship so that I can go back to school to learn electrical engineering and physical education.”
In the meantime, James has enlisted in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) programme, while continuing to train with the senior national team.
James is also an avid football fan and is often seen at Trinidad and Tobago Pro League matches, where she tries to pick up a few tips from the top players.
She admires the work rate of W.Connection midfielder Reynold Carrington and, on the international scene, is overawed by the silky skills of French midfielder Zinadine Zidane.
Like Zidane, she has also achieved a little celebrity of her own after her five-goal feat against the Canadian Vipers.
“Everyone had been congratulating me... telling me ‘good work, keep it up’. It’s nice to get this kind of support from friends, neighbours and even people you don’t know.”
James says it has spurred her on towards a greater goal.
“I want to be the best player in the national team, but I have to work harder to achieve that. One thing I want everyone to know is that scoring the five goals will not be going to my head... I’m not so.”

Alania Burgin eyes US scholarship.

By Joel Bailey.
17-Jan-2003 - National senior and junior midfielder Alania Burgin is eyeing a scholarship in the United States and a professional contract in the near future.
Burgin made this disclosure after copping the girls’ Player of the Year accolade at the 2002 British Gas Secondary Schools Football League (SSFL) awards ceremony at the Barataria Junior Secondary School on Wednesday.
The 17-year-old scored a record 42 goals for Malick Secondary Comprehensive, who won all the major titles in the girls division — the Under-19 Championship, the RBTT InterCol and the Under-19 league and knockout. So convincing were Malick in the girls Championship Division that they amassed a whopping 116 goals against all opponents.
The petite Burgin, who also doubles as a striker for her school and club Real Dimension, said that her season was “quite well”, adding that her stint with the national women youth and senior outfits proved vital in her preparation for the recently-concluded league season.
Lone girl in a family of nine children, the Morvant resident admitted, “I never thought about winning the award, but I’m glad that I eventually did win it.”
Another utility player, national Under-20 captain and Team 2001 defender Kenwyne Jones, won his second successive MVP title on the evening.
The 18-year-old plays as a midfielder for the “Westmoorings Tigers” St Anthony’s, and netted 17 goals during their sensational season, where they won the SSFL North Zone, Big 5, RBTT Intercol North Zonal and national crowns.
The All-Star teams in both boys and girls divisions were announced on the evening, with the Tigers fielding eight players in the Top 17 boys — Jones, fellow Team 2001 players Michael Jan-Williams, Julius James and Roderick Anthony; as well as Kevon Neaves, Steve Sealey, Ian McAuley and national U-20 midfielder Keeron Benito.
Other national youth players in the Top 17 include Princes Town goalkeeper Marvin Phillip and the Naparima pair of Wendell Joseph and Jerol Forbes, the season’s leading goalscorer with 26. And six members of the national women squad were among the girls All Star unit — Burgin, fellow Malick players Niasha Reyes and Nadia James; Ahkeela Mollon of Union/Claxton Bay, St George’s Avionne Douglas and Diego Martin’s Maylee Attin-Johnson.

All-Star Teams —

Boys: Goalkeepers —  Jan-Michael Williams (St Anthony’s), Marvin Phillip (Princes Town);

Defenders — Julius James, Kevon Neaves, Roderick Anthony (St Anthony’s), Dennison Scipio (St Benedict’s), Selvin Duncan (Scarborough);

Midfielders — Keeron Benito, Kenwyne Jones (St Anthony’s), Michael Carrington (Scarborough), Andre Pacheco (Princes Town), Wendell Joseph (Naparima);

Strikers — Steve Sealey, Ian McAuley (St Anthony’s); Jerol Forbes (Naparima), Dwight Lewis (Arima), Linsie Sherwood (Princes Town);

Top Five — Steve Sealey, Kenwyne Jones, Jerol Forbes, Michael Carrington, Marvin Phillip.

Girls: Goalkeepers — Jisele Sabeeney (Maple Leaf), Kadisha Winford (St George’s);

Defenders — Natalie George, Karen Wickham (St George’s), Michelle Reyes (St Augustine Girls), Nadia James (Malick), Alana Lum York (Providence);

Midfielders — Tanekar Alexander, Afiya Castle, Niasha Reyes (Malick); Kenya Cordner (Roxborough), Avionne Douglas (St George’s);

Strikers — Ahkeela Mollon (Union/Claxton Bay), Alania Burgin (Malick), Maylee Attin-Johnson (Diego Martin Secondary), Jamilla Mathlin (Mucurapo Senior), Linsey Murray (Providence);

Top Five — Ahkeela Mollon, Alania Burgin, Karen Wickham, Nadia James, Jisele Sabeeney.

Tasha St Louis is T&T woman footballer of 2002.

By Keith Clement.
28-Dec-2002 - Talented midfielder Tasha St Louis, 18, was selected as woman "Footballer of the Year” 2002. Tasha was a key part of the national Under-19 women’s team which was vying for a place in the FIFA Under-19 World Championships.
In its quest, St Louis scored against Panama in a 3-3 draw and against Mexico in a 1-5 defeat. T&T whipped Jamaica 2-1.
She scored two goals against Roetbal Bond of Suriname and a hattrick against Suriname in a match T&T won 6-0. The Carenage native was also netted against Panama in the First Women’s Gold Cup in the United States, where a place in the FIFA Women’s World Championship was again at stake. However, her team went down 2-4 to Panama and also lost to the USA 3-0 and 2-0 to Mexico.
Despite losing all three matches, the teenager together with goalkeeper Lisa Jo Ramkissoon came in for high commendation from FIFA vice-president Austin Jack Warner, her coach Jamaal Shabazz and other sports enthusiasts.
St Louis also led her club Caridoc Stingrays to the national women’s knockout finals with two goals in a 5-1 triumph over United Petrotrin.
England-based striker, Stern John, have also been selected as male “Footballer of the Year” 2002.
The duo was nominated by the Executive Committee of the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation (TTFF) two weeks ago, and will represent the sport at the Witco “Sportsman and Sportswomen of the Year” awards in March.

US coaches scouting for talent.

By Jamaal Shabazz.
27-Nov-2002 - Football coaches Joe Bartlinski and Bill Elliot from the University of West Florida (UWF) in Pensacola, USA, are visiting Trinidad and Tobago, hoping to offer soccer scholarships to talented male and female players.
Both coaches are on their second visit to this country, but unlike the first occasion they came with a list of the players at whom they want to have a closer look.
Bartlinski is coach of the UWF women’s soccer team which already has two T&T national female players in Tricia Cooper and Tobagonian Mauricia Nicholson. He is no stranger to T&T’s female football talent, having coached Dawn Marie Alfred, Keisha Prescott and Teleshia Joseph during his stint as head coach of Brevard College in North Carolina.
Bartlinski won two national titles during his 13 years at Brevard and, Keisha Prescott and Tricia Cooper, who were with in that team at the team shared in the glory.
He’s particularly interested in national under-19 and senior team speedster Ahkeela “Darcell” Mollon whom he has been monitoring since the CONCACAF Under-19 Championships.
“I think that Darcell will be a great asset to our programme. She has good touches, dribbling skills and her speed is exceptional.
“I would like to see her work ethic now because we are looking for an all round player,” said Bartlinski, who is into his second season as head coach of UWF.
Bartlinski is also taking a close look at Malick Senior Comprehensive striker Alania Burgin whom he saw in tapes of the CFU Gold Cup qualifying tournament in T&T’s matches against Dominica and Suriname.
“Burgin is a finisher and her passion for the game reminds me of Keisha Prescott. She is definitely a player we are looking at for the future,” added Bartlinski.
Men’s coach Bill Elliot is entering his ninth season with UWF. He has coached against teams who had T&T players like the late Mickey Trotman, Glen Benjamin, goalkeeper Rayshun Mars and Marlon Grant. He recruited former Malick Senior Comprehensive defender Okang Nkosi last season.
“I am very impressed with the T&T players that I have seen in the past and I have heard and followed the progress of quite a few others,” said Elliot.
Among the players Elliot has expressed an interest in are St Anthony’s goalkeeper Jan Michael Williams and Julius James, Joe Public’s Jeremy Delpino and Caledonia AIA’s striker Ellis Dyette.
“I have also heard from Mauricia Nicholson about Kerron Phillips and Michael Carrington, so in the next couple days I will be kept busy checking out these players, he said.
Both coaches stressed the importance of good academic work to compliment the players’ athletic abilities. They leave Trinidad this weekend.

Lisa Jo-Ramkissoon & Tasha St Louis on Gold Cup All Star team.

TnT women on Gold Cup All Star team.
TnT Newsday Reporting.
13-Nov-2002 - Two Trinidad and Tobago players have been named among the substitutes of an All Star team selected after the CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup.
Midfielder Tasha St Louis and goalkeeper Lisa-Jo Ramkissoon are the Trinidadians to make it as substitutes.
Also making it on the subs bench was Haitian striker Marie-Denise Giles, giving Caribbean countries three picks. The Gold Cup ended on Saturday night with United States edging Canada 2-1 in the final at the Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California, with a sudden-death extra-time goal by star striker Mia Hamm.

Tiffany Milbrett was named Most Valuable Player of the Gold Cup, while Costa Rica were named Fair Play Trophy winners.

BEST XI - Gold Keeper - Jennifer Molina (Mexico): Defence - Candace Chapman (Canada); Joy Fawcett (USA); Brandi Chastain (USA); Monica Gonzalez (Mexico); Midfielders - Shirley Cruz (C/Rica); Aly Wagner (USA); Christine Sinclair (Canada); Strikers - Shannon MacMillan (USA); Tiffeny Milbrett (USA); Charmaine Hooper (Canada).

Substitutes: Goalkeeper - Lisa-Jo Ramkissoon (TT); Defence -: Gabriela Trujillo (C/Rica); Midfielder - Tasha St Louis (TT); Strikers -: Marie-Denise Giles (Haiti); Maribel Dominguez (Mexico); Kara Lang (Canada); Cindy Parlow (USA).

Award winners for the 2002 FC Women's Gold Cup: MOST VALUABLE PLAYER as selected by media Tiffeny Milbrett (USA).

GOLDEN BOOT: 7 - goals - Christine Sinclair (Canada), Tiffeny Milbrett (USA); Charmaine Hooper (Canada).

TOP GOALKEEPER (as selected by Women's Gold Cup Technical Study Group) - Jennifer Molina (Mexico). FAIR PLAY TROPHY: Costa Rica.

PREVIEW: Trinidad & Tobago 2002 Gold Cup Squad.

CONCACAF - 26-Oct-2002 - Trinidad & Tobago has taken the lead in development of women’s football throughout the Caribbean. A finalist in every CONCACAF women’s championship thus far, the country has for years had a very active women’s league.
The development has also started to show with the number of Trinidadian players earning scholarships to U.S. colleges. No fewer than nine players in the preliminary WGC roster either currently play at or have played for U.S. universities, many at the Division I level.

SUCCESSES

One of only two countries to participate in every Confederation women’s championship (along with Canada), T&T has had the most success of any Caribbean nation. In fact, the Trinidad & Tobago women were ever so close to becoming the first team ever from the twin-island republic to qualify for a FIFA World Championship in 1999 Women’s World Cup qualifying.

In Canada, they opened with a victory against Haiti, then drew with Mexico. But a 1:3 reverse to Costa Rica kept T&T out of the semifinal round – even more disheartening when Mexico reached the final, then eventually the Women’s World Cup itself. Trinidad & Tobago took third place in the inaugural CONCACAF Women’s Championship in 1991, then finished fourth in the 1994 event which was also Women’s World Cup qualifying, defeating Jamaica and drawing with Mexico along the way.

In the inaugural Under-19 women’s championship, Trinidad & Tobago again saw their hopes dashed by Mexico on home soil. After a victory against Jamaica confirmed Caribbean supremacy and sent the Soca Princesses into a winner-take-all match against Mexico, the Tricolores ran out 5:1 victors to qualify for Canada 2002.

GOLD CUP BUILDUP

Trinidad & Tobago eased home as the first Caribbean nation to qualify for the Women’s Gold Cup. At home for both legs of the opening series against Dominica, T&T won on aggregate 22:0, with squad comprised almost entirely of under-19 players.

In the group final against Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago faced more of an uphill battle, with both matches played in Paramaribo due to financial considerations. But many of the overseas-based Soca Divas were called into the squad to ensure passage to the WGC finals. Two goals from Maylee Attin-Johnson gave T&T a 3:1 first-leg victory, then they endured a rugged 2:1 victory in the second match, abandoned after 86 minutes when three red cards and injuries left Suriname with just six players.

WOMEN WHO MATTER

Ricarda NELSON (34, Petrotrin): Midfielder who is one of four Trinidad & Tobago national teamers who played with Asheville Splash in the USA’s W-League this season. Also the assistant coach for the U-19 national team. Has appeared in four previous Confederation women’s championships.

Izler BROWNE (33, Petrotrin): Central defender who played in every match for Asheville Splash this season. Began her career as a goal-scoring forward, now sweeper and captain of the national side. Made her national team debut at age 16; the only player to have appeared in every CONCACAF women’s championship.

Akheela MOLLON (17, Petrotrin): Quick, intelligent midfielder who earned the nickname “Lady Latapy” at U-19 level because her incredible work rate in the midfield reminds many of former men’s national team player Russell Latapy. Despite her diminutive stature, covers ground quickly and wreaks havoc on opponents’ defences. A natural goal scorer who also possesses superb passing skills that make her doubly dangerous.

Alania BURGIN (16, Real Dimensions): Wide midfielder who often uses her great speed and creativity to ignite the T&T attack, creating chances for herself and others. Another product of the U-19 side, she contributed a great deal to the full side in qualifying to the Women’s Gold Cup, seeing action in every match and scoring five goals.

Maylee ATTIN-JOHNSON (16, Caridoc Stingrays): A fiery competitor who is always looking to get under her rivals’ skin, she led T&T with seven goals in WGC qualifying. Together with Mollon, comprises a dynamic, formidable one-two scoring punch.

Girl soccer midfielder wins scholarship.

By Danielle Martin.
7-Sept-2002 - Krista Santos, star mid-fielder for St Joseph's Convent, Port-of-Spain, has dispelled the myth that sport and studies don't mix. The vibrant 18-year-old was on Thursday awarded an Open Scholarship in Modern Studies and leaves in October to attend the University of Oxford to pursue Law. Since Form Four, Santos has been playing football, a sport she fell in love with in childhood.
"I was a real tomboy," she said. "I did the tennis and ballet thing, but football was really me," Santos said. Her ability on the field is unquestionable and she was instrumental in getting the team, which was managed by her father, Stephen, into the semi-finals of the Royal Bank Schools Girls Intercol Series in 2001.
"Never mind the fact that we got a good licking by the Malick girls," her mother Morella laughingly revealed. Although a keen footballer, Santos said when the Intercol competition was over she plunged even more feverishly into her studies. She was aiming for three As, the entry requirement for the British universities she had applied to, and on learning that she had gotten four As and a national scholarship, Santos was in a state of ecstasy.
"When I wrote my exams I was not thinking of a scholarship. The teachers, however, told me to try, but I always thought the idea to be a dream," she admitted, adding that if she had not won she would not have been devastated. Her parents learned of their daughter's success while reading Newsday at 5 am Friday. Elated but sceptical, they waited to call the school principal Elizabeth Crouch for confirmation before sharing the news with her. Both had secretly hoped their daughter would win a scholarship.
"In my heart of hearts I know she deserved it," commented her mother. Right now the family is showering Santos with love and gifts. Even her older brother, who is studying at Guelph University, Canada, was impressed with her news. Santos feels anyone has the potential to win a scholarship, and advises students to pay extreme attention when in class and always strive for the best.