VILLA BEACH, St Vincent and the Grenadines — After not conceding any goals in their 10-0 victory over St Kitts and Nevis in the CONCACAF Caribbean Football Union (CFU) Qualifiers last Friday, Jamaica’s Under-17 Reggae Girlz goalkeeper Shereece Young said the aim was to keep the a clean sheet going against the host nation on Sunday.

So said, so done.

The Young Reggae Girlz swamped hosts St Vincent and the Grenadines 7-0 at the Arnos Vale sports complex in Kingstown on Sunday to keep that clean sheet going into the next phase of the CFU Qualifiers next month.

“First of all, it really means a lot to me to represent my country at the international level, and whenever I am representing my country I always try to do my best.

“We came here with the intention of winning those two games to move on to the next round of matches in Haiti, and we did just that. Every goalkeeper’s aim at the end of every match is to have a clean sheet,” said Young.

Though she did not keep in the first match, Young got her chance in the second, and the pressure was on to maintain what her fellow goaltender had started.

“After that 10-0 win against St Kitts and Nevis with Chelisa Schloss keeping and not conceding any goals, my aim was do the same when I got my chance in the goal against the host nation St Vincent and the Grenadines.

“And I just did that and I am happy with everything. The team played well for that 7-0 victory and I am pleased with how everything went,” Young shared with the Jamaica Observer.

Having not conceded a goal by any means meant Young was on holidays between the sticks.

The 16-year-old St Elizabeth Technical High School student had to pull off two saves in order to keep the clean sheet.

In the 37th minute, the Jamaican backline fell asleep and let the ball through, with the hosts’ Arriel Delpeche chasing. but Young was equal to the task, diving to snatch the ball before Delpeche could get a shot off.

Young was tested again in the 71st minute when Nelisia Cromwell took a shot at the Jamaica goal from 30 yards, but Young made a fine save of it.

“I had a fairly good game, but I was pretty much comfortable in the game, and that was important. To truly be a goalkeeper and achieve the success in the game, one needs the proper attitude and strong commitment towards the game in order to succeed.

“You must have good concentration, determination, and, as my coach always says, you have to be bold, brave, and daring-and I think that I possess all those qualities.

“Players are going to take shots at your goal and so you have to be focus and ready for everything. The game was a good game, the team performed really well, and I am happy,” ended Young.

— Ruddy Allen