In a display of remarkable defensive resilience, Saint Lucia’s under-17 women’s football team achieved their first competitive point in Group C of the 2026 Concacaf Women’s Under-17 Qualifiers. The historic goalless draw against Guatemala unfolded on Thursday evening at Willemstad’s Stadion Rignaal Jean Francisca in Curaçao, marking a significant milestone for the Caribbean squad.
Facing considerable adversity, the Piton Girlz were compelled to implement strategic adjustments following Ivana Marshall’s suspension due to a red card received during Tuesday’s match against Haiti. Coach Emmanuel deployed forward Amaya Emmanuel in an unaccustomed defensive role, orchestrating a tactical shift to a 4-3-3 formation that saw Nyeesha Antoine spearheading the attacking line.
The match dynamics heavily favored Guatemala, who entered the contest with momentum from consecutive victories against The Cayman Islands (1-0) and Antigua and Barbuda (5-0). The Central American team launched an offensive onslaught from the opening whistle, testing Saint Lucian goalkeeper Alyssa Flavius with multiple attempts within the initial ten minutes.
Guatemala’s dominance manifested through overwhelming statistical advantages: 24 attempted shots compared to Saint Lucia’s mere two, coupled with 67.9% possession control. The match’s pivotal moment arrived in the 38th minute when Guatemala earned a penalty after Hayla Samuel fouled Lourdes López within the penalty area. However, Emery Aguilar’s subsequent shot veered wide, preserving the deadlock.
Saint Lucia’s defensive organization proved impregnable throughout the contest, with the backline demonstrating exceptional composure against a Guatemalan squad featuring three United States-based players. The introduction of substitute Joyceline Neptune following Antoine’s injury provided fresh energy during the second half.
The team now prepares for their crucial Saturday encounter against group bottom-dwellers Antigua and Barbuda, who have conceded 15 goals across their previous three matches.