UPDATE: VI edged by Suriname in crucial game of CFU Girls Challenge Series
The breakthrough came in the 42nd minute when Cherice Samuel delivered a well-placed ball into the box, finding an unmarked Jervia Omzigtig who calmly slotted it past the goalkeeper to give Suriname the lead.
Shelton responds
The Virgin Islands responded shortly when Kiyah-Starr Shelton stepped up to convert from the penalty spot in the 50th minute after her initial free kick struck a defender’s hand in the box, leveling the score at 1–1.
Suriname retook the lead just six minutes later when Captain Arissa Madhar displayed great skill and composure, manoeuvring past two defenders before placing a low shot to the far post, out of the goalkeeper's reach.
Moments later, Sherany Becker added a third following a poor clearance by VI goalkeeper Stella Strutton as the ball rebounded off Becker’s chest. She controlled it just inside the area and lofted a shot over the keeper and under the crossbar, making it 3–1.
Shelton scores again!
The VI pulled one back in the 69th minute when Shelton notched her second goal of the match after spotting the keeper off her line. She struck a powerful long-range free kick that sailed into the net.
Time; however, ran out on Shelton and the VI.
Suriname will advance to the next round as the best overall second place across the three groups.
French Guiana topped Group B and also advance.
The VI players, who should be holding their heads high for a commendable effort in the tournament, return home today.
See previous article published August 19, 2025
Kiyah-Starr Shelton leads VI to 2-1 win over Barbados in CFU U14 Girls Challenge Series
The Virgin Islands (VI), thanks to another star performance from Kiyah-Starr Shelton, kept hopes of qualifying for the semi-finals of the Caribbean Football Union (CF) U-14 Girls Challenge Series in Trinidad and Tobago alive when they came from behind to beat Barbados 2-1 on Monday, August 18, 2025.
Playing at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva in Tier II Group B, Shelton came to the rescue for the Virgin Islands after they conceded in the 16th minute when Katelia Browne squeezed a shot past Stella Strutton from inside the penalty area, after receiving the ball from a corner kick.
VI fight back
The dangerous Shelton began to put the Bajan defense under pressure with decisive run-ins behind, but she was denied on multiple occasions by Roshauna Massiah in goal.
An own goal by Kefarrah David in the 27th minute eventually drew the teams level; however, Shelton had a “foot” in it as it was her shot from a freekick that deflected off David.
Shelton, who was later named Player of the Match, kept the Bajan defense on their heels, and eventually got what proved to be the game-winner in the 34th minute.
The fast-paced leftie raced on to a through ball by Lily Carey before slotting past Massiah on the near post.
Shelton now has 6 goals from 3 games, and is among the leading goal-scorers in the competition.
The VI play their final group game, against Suriname, from 10:00 AM, Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at the Ato Bolton Stadium.
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