Dom Rep, St. Lucia score important wins in effort to top their group

In a remarkable display of skill and determination, the Dominican Republic's Mía Asenjo and Lucia Marte each scored twice, propelling their team to a commanding 7-1 victory over the hosts, Barbados, in the CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup qualifiers held on Friday.

Simultaneously, Krysan St Louis secured a hat-trick for St. Lucia, while Arnicka Louis added a brace, as the hosts outplayed Guadeloupe with a resounding 5-1 triumph.

At the Wildey Turf Stadium, the Dominican Republic produced a second-half masterclass, securing their fourth consecutive win and positioning themselves second in Group C of League B with 12 points. They now stand only one point behind the group leaders, Bermuda, who received three points due to St. Vincent & the Grenadines' decision to withdraw from their scheduled match in Hamilton.

The match remained a genuine contest at halftime, with the visitors leading 2-1. Mia Asenjo opened the scoring in the 21st minute, connecting with a pass over the top to beat Barbados goalkeeper Rhea Holder. She followed up with a header in the 33rd minute. In between, Acacia Small managed to score for Barbados in the 32nd minute after a brilliant solo effort, dribbling past a Dominican Republic defender and finishing with a lobbed attempt from outside the box.

Well-placed strike at the left post

Lucia Marte extended the lead for the Dominican Republic in the 48th minute with a well-placed strike at the left post, assisted by Kathrynn Gonzalez. The visitors then unleashed a goal-scoring spree in the final 25 minutes to quell any hopes of a Barbados comeback.

Alyssa Oviedo added the fourth goal for the Dominican Republic with a right-footed shot from inside the box in the 68th minute, and Gonzalez contributed to the tally with a free-kick that eluded Holder's reach in the 77th minute, making it five.

Winibian Peralta put the finishing touch on a well-constructed move from the right flank, assisted by Jazmin Jackson, in the 82nd minute. Marte sealed the emphatic victory with a curling free-kick goal in the 87th minute.

The Dominican Republic is now set to host Bermuda in the final group decider on Tuesday at the Felix Sanchez Olympic Stadium in Santo Domingo.

A chance to clinch the group's top spot

Meanwhile, at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, St. Lucia's victory brought them within three points of the group leaders, Cuba. St. Lucia now has a chance to clinch the group's top spot by defeating Cuba in the group finale, scheduled for Tuesday at the Antonio Maceo Stadium in Santiago de Cuba.

Arnicka Louis initiated the scoring for St. Lucia in the seventh minute during a chaotic scramble in front of the goal, capitalizing on a deflection that had struck the post. She added another goal in the 21st minute. Krysan St Louis then joined the scoring spree with a delicate chip into the net in the 39th minute, giving the hosts a commanding 3-0 lead at halftime.

In the second half, St. Louis showcased her skills once again, splitting a pair of defenders and finishing past Guadeloupe goalkeeper Maina Mornal in the 57th minute. Guadeloupe managed to pull one back in the 89th minute when Sydjalhia Garriba found the net with a right-footed shot. However, St. Louis promptly restored St. Lucia's advantage with a stoppage-time strike.