Saint Lucia had one of their best Concacaf Nations League wins on Monday night at Daren Sammy Cricket Ground, beating Bermuda 5-2 thanks to a first-half hat-trick from Kegan Caull. Nearly 1,000 fans watched as coach Rajesh Latchoo celebrated his first win.
The coaches made three changes from the team that lost 2-0 to Barbados on Friday. Arkell Jude-Boyd made his home debut, Caull made his sixth senior appearance, and Shaquan Nelson played his eighth.
Bermuda, missing two players after red cards in their Friday loss to Guadeloupe, still started the match well. They are ranked two spots above the Piton Boyz in the Concacaf men’s rankings, created good chances around the box, and kept goalkeeper Vino Barclett busy.
Just 15 minutes in, Caull earned a corner that was well taken by Kurt Frederick. The ball reached the far post, and Caull scored his first international goal. Three minutes later, the 22-year-old scored again after a pass from Caniggia Elva. By the 35th minute, he had completed his hat-trick.
The last time a Saint Lucian scored three goals in a senior men’s match was Dominic Poleon’s hat-trick against Sint Maarten in 2023. Before that, Jamil Joseph did it in 2011.
Saint Lucia conceded in first-half stoppage time to go into the second period up 3-1, with the crowd in high spirits. Shevon Byron broke through to make it 5-1 in the 53rd, and Kurt Frederick netted in the 68th.
That score matched Saint Lucia’s biggest-ever CNL margin, 5-1 against St Maarten. Two minutes later, though, Bermuda scored again to make it 5-2.
This win also tied their second-biggest tournament victory, a 3-0 win away against Antigua & Barbuda. It was also their biggest CNL home win, beating their 3-1 result over Dominica.
Saint Lucia move up to third in the group, just one point behind Barbados and Guadeloupe, who are tied on four. Latchoo and the Piton Boyz will play their next two matches next weekend in Barbados against the Gwada Boys.
