Honduras' Elexa Bahr (pictured) has scored three goals in the 2015 CONCACAF Under-20 Women's Championship thus far. (Photo: Mexsport)
SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras -- Elexa Bahr has made quite an impression in her first couple games with host Honduras at the 2015 CONCACAF Under-20 Championship.
She scored both of the Catrachas’ goals as they twice took the lead before settling for a 2-2 draw with Jamaica on Thursday and added another to her tally Sunday in a 2-0 win over Trinidad & Tobago.
Though it’s been short, it has also been a great ride for the American-born Bahr, who opted to join the Honduran program and is now helping the growth of the game in the Central American country.
“It’s a dream come true, it really is,” said the 17-year-old, sporting a mile-wide grin. “I thought I would see myself with USA, but you take every opportunity you get. It’s still great here.”
Bahr’s three goals put her on top of the tournament goal-scoring charts along with Taylor Pryce (Canada) as well as Mallory Pugh and Jessie Scarpa (both USA).
As fortune would have it, Bahr and Pryce will go head-head on Tuesday in the last Group A game. Not only will Bahr be chasing more goals, she’ll also hope to guide her team into the CU20W semifinals for the first-ever time.
After failing to get out of the group stage in its only previous tournament appearance in January 2014, Honduras (1W-1D-0L, 4 points) could finish in first place in the group with a win over Canada (2W-0D-0L, 6 points). Personal achievements are all well and good, but for Bahr, team success is the priority.
“I couldn’t do it without my team and it feels great,” Bahr finished. “Every bit of strength that we have and being able to focus and working as a team. We’re not as skilled or as qualified as they are, but what we have is heart and we never give up.”
The game against Canada and Honduras closes a doubleheader that will start with an encounter between previously-eliminated Trinidad & Tobago (0W-0D-2L, 0 points) and Jamaica (0W-1D-1L, 1 point). If the Jamaicans draw or lose, Honduras will automatically gain a place in the final four.