Meet Cheyra Bell . . . Lady Cougars? latest goal-scoring sensation.

Having emerged from beneath the shadow of the prolific Chevonne Furbert, Bell continues to carve a niche for herself at the Den ? banging in goals as if they were the flavour of the month.

Just last Sunday, Bell, daughter of the late Hotels, North Village and Bermuda international Derek, netted a rare double hat-trick to take her season tally to 32 goals during Lady Cougars? 18-0 romp of Prospect.

The late Bell died in a freak boating accident in St.George?s in 2003. However, his football legacy lives on in daughter Cheyra and son Tahj, 14, who is registered at PHC.

Football actually runs deep in the family as cousins Keith, Peter and Coolridge enjoyed successful playing stints at Hotels International, BAA and Somerset Trojans. Bell?s other cousin, Anthony Thomas, currently plays for Dandy Town, while great uncle Shorty Spencer was also a well-respected local cricket umpire.

Cheyra, who would like to see Cougars take a clean sweep of top honours all in the same season, was a member of Bermuda?s women?s national football team that won a bronze medal at last year?s Small Island Games held in the Shetland Islands.

Bell, the recipient of last season?s Most Valuable Player Award, has also participated in football camps overseas in North America under the direction of local coaches David Bascome and Derek (Rocky) Bean.

Currently in her senior year of studies at Bermuda Institute, Bell has already caught the eye of several US college scouts.

And later this month the naturally gifted goal-poacher will get a golden opportunity to showcase her talents on the bigger stage when she competes at the Orange Classic Soccer Tournament in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

?Physically I?m ready for the task but now it?s just a case of taking care of the mental aspect,? said Bell, who will pass up the cassava pie to kick it up in the sunshine state over the Christmas holidays.

?I?ll be participating in the Orange Classic where over 350 college scouts will also be present, including those from some of the colleges that have expressed interest in me. So hopefully I can give a good account of myself.?

Although Bell has long held a passion for the game, she has only been an active participant for the past six years.

?My father (Derek) had a big influence on my career. I would always be present at his matches watching him play and we spent a lot of time together kicking the ball about,? added Bell, who lists Domico Coddington, Vernon Tankard, Naqita Dill, Tschana Wade and Renieka Bean as her favourite male and female local footballers.

Bell also relishes lacing up for a Lady Cougars side currently in possession of the league championship, Charity, Konica and FA Cups.

?I really enjoy it. Everyone understands their roles and loves playing the game. And things only tend to get difficult if we allow them to get out of hand,? said Bell, who harbours dreams of playing professionally in the future.

?The camaraderie at Cougars is great and I enjoy playing with my team-mates.?

Bell?s goal-scoring ability has received top marks from coach Paulos, uncle of Cougars dynamo Heys Wolfe.

?Cheyra certainly knows where the goal is and has good instincts around the box,? he said. ?Her awareness around goal is exceptional.?