Bermuda Under-20 women’s players Dashae Darrell and Micah Pond helping Brookhaven College clinch a maiden Region 5 MAC Conference Championship.

Brookhaven took advantage of Eastfield College’s upset of leaders Richland College by beating North Lake 4-0 to earn the Texas-based school to their first Conference title.

Darrell, who scored two goals in as many minutes, claimed the Conference’s Golden Boot award with 14 goals.

She netted her first goal in the 27th minute with a sublime finish after being played through by Taylor Reyes. Darrell’s second arrived in the 29th minute with another good finish after linking up with fellow forward Julie Ortega. Savanna Hernandez and Reyes netted the Lady Bears other goals.

Darrell and Pond are not the only Bermudians involved in their school’s women’s football programme, as assistant coach Robert Williams is also a fellow countryman.

“It was really exciting for me to bring in Micah Pond and Deshae Darrell to play for Brookhaven and help us to achieve big things,” said Williams, a former Devonshire Colts player and youth coach.

“Darrell has been the most prolific striker in conference while Pond has been, without a doubt, the Lady Bears most solid and influential midfield player.

“I searched all over North Texas for three nights a week, going to high school games to scout players. We brought in some really good talent, but I was always going to search in Bermuda.

“The whole team has been great. We’ve had our ups and downs since we started pre-season training, but it has all been worth it because we are now Conference Champions for the first time in the school’s history.”

Pond played in goal for Bermuda at the Concacaf Caribbean Women’s Under-20 qualifiers at the National Stadium but has demonstrated her versatility as a midfielder for the Lady Bears, who have now turned their attentions to defending their Regional Tournament title which they won for the first time last season.

The Lady Bears have secured a semi-final berth with their first placed finish.

“Our aim is to win it again like we did last year and play at the National Tournament in Dryden, New York,” Williams said. “I believe that the girls are focused and ready.

“We will be training very hard this week to focus on tactics and speed of play. I’m hoping to do Brookhaven and Bermuda proud by winning the tournament.”