JAMAICA’s Under-17 girls team will leave on a high following a 1-0 win against Waterhouse in their final game of the Sherwin Williams Women’s Football League at the UWI Mona Bowl before leaving the island tomorrow for the CONCACAF Under-17 Women’s Championship Qualifying tournament in the Dominican Republic.

Shadie Shirley scored on the stroke of half-time to put the young Reggae Girls ahead after several earlier attempts by the green-and-yellow-clad team went fruitless.

Shaquilia Pitterson was foiled in her attempt to slip one past goalkeeper Shantel Graham when her cross instead bounded off the left post.

Remona Hyde made another shot from almost 30 yards after collecting a throw-in from Georgia Bailey.

Under-17 goalkeeper Chris Ann Chambers was made to work hard by the Waterhouse frontline as they tried to put their team ahead.

Olivia Coates came close late in the half after a goal kick was expertly saved by Chambers before the girls got it together in the 45th minute.

Once the game restarted, Waterhouse came out firing. Monique Pryce seemed determined to level the scores after making a 20-yard dash and came within yards, sliding easily to make a left cross along the ground to goal, but had her efforts stopped by Chambers.

Coach Xavier Gilbert told the Sunday Observer that he was impressed.

“A very good performance from the young ladies. They acquitted themselves very well. Three wins before we leave is always a good thing to leave on a winning note and going into a tournament,” he said.

While there were a number of injury concerns, Gilbert wasn’t overly anxious. “We’re just assessing them. We don’t want to take any chances before a tournament. We have them in training and they do well, but for the game situation we don’t want to lose them here and then don’t have them for the tournament,” he explained.

The full squad includes Chris-Ann Chambers, Eula Webber, Shaquillia Pitterson, Imanie Richards, Georgia Bailey, Tiffany Robinson, Jorja Hughes, Khadija Shaw, Shantell Thompson, Shanice McDonald, Nicole Broderick, Shantel Bailey, Shadie Shirley, Jalen Simms, Shashonna Bennett, Remona Hyde, Deneisha Blackwood and Nasheka D’Oyley.

Lurene Scringer will head the delegation which includes coach Vin Blaine, assistant Gilbert, team manager Jean Nelson and Ephraim Ingram.

The Jamaicans will play in Group D in San Cristobal alongside the hosts and Aruba from August 24-27. They play Aruba on August 24 and the hosts on August 28 at the Estadio Panamericano de Futbol.

CONCACAF will send three teams to the U-17 Women’s World Cup in Azerbaijan set for September 12-October 13, 2012.