Gerritsen’s late goal rescues draw for Sint Maarten vs. USVI

WILLEMSTAD, Curaçao – Sint Maarten earned their first ever Concacaf Nations League result on Friday after a 1-1 draw with the United States Virgin Islands in Group A of League C at the Stadion Rignaal Jean Francisca in Willemstad, Curacao.

It was James Mack III who opened the scoring for USVI in the eighth minute, making a fine move and a clean finish to put the US Virgin Islands ahead 1-0.

Sint Maarten looked to get back on level terms and the ever-dangerous Gerwin Lake earned a free kick in the 30th minute and very nearly equalized, but his shot was tipped over the bar by US Virgin Islands GK Lionel Brown.

Sint Maarten GK Gikay Croes was just as good at the other end, poking away a curling effort from Mack III in the 39th minute to keep the deficit at 1-0 heading into the break.

While it looked like the US Virgin Islands would walk away with three points for much of the second half, Sint Maarten captain Kay Gerritsen leveled things up at 1-1 in the 83rd minute, pouncing on a pinballed free kick.

From the equalizer onwards, momentum completely shifted to Sint Maarten, but there was ultimately no further scoring. 

Sint Maarten will face Bonaire next, while the US Virgin Islands head home to host the Turks and Caicos Islands. Both matches are scheduled for June 6.