MIAMI, Florida – Maristania Mengana scored in second half stoppage time to deliver a dramatic 2-1 victory for Cuba against Saint Lucia to open Group B of League C of the Road To W Gold Cup on Friday evening at the Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in Gros Islet, Saint Lucia.
It was a breathtaking start between the two sides, with Cuba lurching ahead 1-0 in the 4’ through Katheryn Rodriguez. It started with a direct ball over the top into Rodriguez, who then chipped in over Saint Lucia GK Renala Francis for the goal.
Almost right back came Saint Lucia and it was quickly 1-1 in just the 15th minute courtesy of Freegeanne Joseph.
Some nifty dribbling and moves from striker Shamalyn Albert ended with Albert sending a cross in front of goal and Joseph was there at the far post to turn it into net for the equalizer.
Cuba began to reassert their control, especially in the second half as they started to come at the Saint Lucia defense in waves.
A great look at a second goal for Cuba came in the 78’ through Cecil Aldana on a header that appeared goalbound, only to see Saint Lucia back-up GK Kenna Lionel, who replaced the injured Francis midway through the first half, make the fingertip save.
Saint Lucia would have a late shout as well when Albert narrowly missed wide in the 85’, much to the dismal of the home fans.
Instead, it was Mengana deciding things with a blazing run down the right wing and composed finish past Lionel in the waning minutes for the 2-1 victory.
