Mexico's Katty Martinez (pictured) celebrates after scoring against Haiti in the CONCACAF Under-20 Women's Championship on December 7, 2015, in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. (Photo: Mexsport)

SAN PEDRO SULA, Honduras – Katty Martinez and Maria Sanchez scored two goals each as Mexico (1W-1D-0L, 4 points) posted a 5-0 win over Haiti (1W-0D-1L, 3 points) in the 2015 CONCACAF Under-20 Women’s Championship at the Escuela Internacional Sampedrana on Monday. 

The victory provisionally lifted the Tricolor into sole possession of first place in Group B, pending the result of an encounter between Panama (0W-0D-1L, 0 points) and the United States (0W-1D-0L, 1 point) later in the day. 

Mexico enjoyed some early periods of possession to go ahead 1-0 in the 12th minute. An attempted headed clearance by Catrina Lamour went directly to Martinez, who chested the ball down before striking a perfectly placed right-footed shot past the outstretched hands of goalkeeper Jonie Gabriel. 

Sanchez netted her first in the 31st minute with the type of individual flair that would be a top-goal contender at any competition. The 19-year-old midfielder appeared to be well defended in the left side of the box by Lamour. Instinctively and skillfully, however, she executed a backheel turn to create space. Then, from a severe angle, Sanchez fired a left-footed shot into the far-side netting. 

Haiti managed to create a few chances of its own and Batcheba Louis nearly got her second goal of the tournament, spinning an effort wide of the post from in front of the net. 

Despite giving up a pair of goals in the first half, Gabriel made some quality saves to keep her side in the game following the break. 

On one occasion, the recently-turned 18-year-old got down well to stop an on-rushing Kiana Palacios and on another she just got fingertips to a chip from Sanchez. 

With just under 15 minutes remaining, though, Sanchez would once again find the back of the net. After winning space on the left side, she raced into the box and drilled an authoritative left-footer from 15-yards out over the leaping Gabriel to extend the lead. 

Prior to Martinez completing the scoreline from eight yards off a neat Rebecca Bernal feed with two minutes remaining in normal time, Bernal converted from the penalty spot in the 84th minute to make it 4-0. 

Mexico will return to action on Wednesday against Panama, while Haiti takes on the USA. 

NOTES: 

  • Mexico improved to 8W-0D-0L in the second game of a CU20W competition.