Guyana Women’s National Hockey Team

Alysa Xavier

Goalkeeper:  Alysa is one of the most gifted players on the team and is a player with great potential.  Having had success at several sport disciplines, and possessing the ability to play with equal effectiveness in or out of the goal, the team will benefit greatly in having her between the bars where she chose to make her career.

Amanda Garnett

Striker:  Amanda is the life of the team.  She is a natural ballplayer who works hard every time out.  Amanda possesses good speed and control which makes her one of the team’s top strikers.

Ashley DeGroot

Striker:  Ashley is a relative newcomer who is making her debut in Rio.  What she lacks in experience, Ashley makes up for with an astute game sense of where her teammates are.  A player with lots of potential, Ashley is likely to develop into one of the best passers in the game.  Her role in the team however currently remains creating goal scoring opportunities on the front line.

Avonda James

Striker:  Avonda is one of the fastest and most dedicated players on the team.  Her pace gives her the unique opportunity of beating her marker to the vital scoring spot to score or set up a teammate.  She works hard on defence also, a rare quality in a striker.

Chantelle Fernandes

Striker:  Chantelle has been made captain of the team this year as she remains one of the more influential players who enjoys a good rapport with the entire team.  She is one of the more exposed players having played for a few years abroad and with her good stick work, it shows in her game.  While Chantelle was the central midfield figure on the team last year, she has been moved into the forward line in the hope of producing more goals which has been one of the team’s shortcomings in the past.

Dominique DeGroot

Striker:  Dominique is a busy player who sticks to her assigned task.  She is a graduate from the junior indoor ranks who is making a name and permanent place for herself on the senior side. She is strong on the ball and can also play some minutes in the midfield.

Gabriella Xavier

Midfield:  Gabriella has developed into a strong attacking force with her ability to control the ball at pace.  She is a tireless worker and will contribute at both ends of the pitch.  Gabriella also plays on the forward line in addition to her critical attacking midfield position.

Jonelle Webster

Goalkeeper:  Coming from a football background, Jonelle is a natural athlete with good leg coordination.  She is relatively new to the game but is a fast learner who has finally managed to break into the team in this, her debut tournament.

Kerensa Fernandes

Striker:  Kerensa has been the country’s most prolific scorer over the past few years both internationally and in the local league.  Possessing a natural swing with great timing, she is also the penalty corner striker of the team.  A lot of the team’s offense will ride on her shoulders.

Leigh Sandison

Center Midfield:  Easily the most experienced player in the side, Leigh has played all of her hockey overseas.  She is clearly one of the strongest players and, apart from her contribution with the ball, Leigh will play a critical role in directing the team from her central area.

Maria Munroe

Right midfield:  With the heart of a warrior, much is expected of Maria Munroe in the competition.  She is a genuine leader who is strong on the ball and is sure to play a major role in the team’s attack.  Maria missed the 2010 competition to have her baby girl but is back and already in good physical condition to resume her role in midfield.

Marisha Rodrigues

Left midfield:  Although Marisha has always been one of the more talented ballplayers on the side, this could possibly be one of her strongest tournaments as she has made a significant effort to improve her match fitness.  An intelligent player who is quick to improvise, she will play a vital midfield role during the competition.

Marzana Fiedtkou

Left Back:  Despite being the youngest player on the side, Marzana is already a permanent starter and has established herself as one of the team’s most reliable players.  A good defender with strong possession skills Marzana is one of the more technically correct players in the side, having learned the game from a young age and has a bright future ahead.

Talia Fiedtkou

Full Back:  Having made a good name for herself on the indoor version of the game, Talia has improved her game and finally made the breakthrough into the national side.  She is a strong defender who plays a tough brand of hockey.  Talia possesses a powerful push and hit which enables her to generate a counterattack from difficult situations.

Tiffany Solomon

Full back:  Tiffany brings maturity and strength to the central defence.  She is a powerful and intelligent player who rises to the occasion on the international stage.  Tiffany will be assigned the tough marking responsibilities in the central defence area.

Trisha Woodroffe

Right back:  Although being used on the right side, Trisha Woodroffe is a solid defender who possesses good reverse skills.  A smooth striker of the ball with good possession skills she is a well balanced player who can also lend support to the midfield whenever the need arises.

Ulrica Sutherland

Full Back:  Ulrica is one of the most valuable players on the team and is the fastest defender in the side.  After beginning her career on the forward line, she has now been moved to the defence to capitalize on her fearless and determined attitude which makes her the player with the most match time of the team.

Vashema Bourne

Wing back:  With her lengthy stride, Vashema is deceptively quick and has a good sense of timing for the attack.  A dedicated player who is dependable to get back and disrupt the opposing attacks, Vashema’s speed and conditioning will play a major role in the competition.

By Philip Fernandes

Guyana draws 1-1 with host Brazil in PAHF Challenge

Trisha Woodroffe
Trisha Woodroffe

Guyana came from behind for the second time in as many matches in the Pan-American Hockey Federation (PAHF) Challenge to draw with hosts Brazil on one goal apiece.  After a 2-1 victory against Paraguay in their opening encounter, the John Deere sponsored Guyanese would have to settle for a hard-fought draw with the hosts who routed Bermuda by 3-0 in their opening match.  Brazil began the match looking purposeful and enjoyed the lion’s share of possession in the opening minutes, but Guyana settled and changed the momentum of the game as the half wore on.  With Guyana seemingly enjoying the better run, it was Brazil who would score first in the 28th minute.  A well executed penalty corner by Brazil saw their lead midfielder Patricia Boos deflecting the ball into the net after it had crossed the goal too far ahead of Alysa Xavier in goal.

Guyana would hold their nerve and make several good runs to threaten the Brazil goal and their efforts paid off in the final minute of the half when Trisha Woodroffe was first onto the rebound from a penalty corner shot.  Woodroffe settled the ball in a split second and flicked it powerfully high in the net and over the diving Brazilian goalkeeper for the equalizer.

Guyana Female Hockey Team
Guyana Female Hockey Team

The second half would see end-to-end action with chances for both sides but as the game entered the closing minutes it was Brazil who seemed to gain the edge and pressed into the Guyana half for the win.  Fine defending from Guyana sweeper, Ulrica Sutherland and goalkeeping from Alysa Xavier however shut out the Brazilians leaving the game drawn at full time.  Coach of the Guyana team, Philip Fernandes, expressed satisfaction at his team’s performance indicating that the last time the two teams met, which was in 2005, Guyana lost 0-5.  Fernandes indicated that inexperience caused his team to lose focus and structure in the dying minutes and that they would need to improve in that area.

Guyana and Brazil are now tied on top of the pool with 4 points each from two matches followed by Uruguay with 3 points from one match while Paraguay and Bermuda are yet to secure points.  Matches continue today (August 3rd) with Uruguay taking on Paraguay at 10:00hrs and Guyana facing Bermuda at 12:00hrs.

By Philip Fernandes