Shirley, Thompson lift Ja to big win

SAN CRISTOBAL, Dominican Republic (CMC):Shadie Shirley and Shantell Thompson bagged hat-tricks as Jamaica stunned Aruba 9-0 in their opening Group D game of the CONCACAF Under-17 Women's Championship on Thursday.

The 15-year-old Shirley opened the scoring in the second minute and added the second in the 30th, with Shantel Bailey getting the third in the 39th minute and Thompson scoring her first in the 43rd, to give the powerful Jamaicans a 4-0 at half-time.

Shirley completed her hat-trick almost immediately on resumption, paving the way for 15-year-old Thompson to score twice in seven minutes to also record her hat-trick in the 60th minute.

Nicole Broderick then inflicted further pain on Aruba with a brace, netting in the 65th and 68th minutes.

Jamaica and Aruba are joined by hosts Dominican Republic in the three-team group.

The winners will advance to a second group stage from which three teams will qualify for the eight-team CONCACAF finals next year.