Waterhouse FC’s first competitive fixture in eight months ended in defeat, as they lost 3-1 to Haitian club Arcahaie FC in their Concacaf League Round-of-16 match at Stadium East last night.
Goals from Richard Calixte, Wendy Louis-Jean and Jason Pierre Paul sealed advancement for the Haitians to the quarter-finals of the competition and handed Waterhouse an early exit from this year’s competition, after last year’s run to the last eight. Kenroy Howell was the lone goal scorer for Waterhouse.
The coronavirus pandemic impacted the competition, with matches being postponed because of positive cases. While Arcahaie managed to restart play in their local league, Waterhouse were inactive since March, because of the suspension and subsequent cancellation of the previous National Premier League season.
Although Waterhouse looked promising in the early exchanges, it was the visiting Arcahaie that took the lead in the 12th minute with their first shot on target. Calixte unleashed a shot from outside the box and it was initially punched by Waterhouse goalkeeper Akeem Chambers, who could not prevent it from trickling into his net.
Arcahaie doubled their lead in the 31st minute when Louis-Jean executed a great one-time shot from inside the box, which Chambers again could not keep out.
The Haitians controlled the majority of the first half, creating problems for the Waterhouse backline and could have stretched their lead had it not been for a brilliant block on Richardson Thomas’ shot and a subsequent Chambers save from Calixte.
Arcahaie added a third in the 58th minute when Pierre Paul finished from close range after Chambers made the initial save on Clifford Thomas’ long-range effort. Howell reduced the deficit to two in the 81st minute and, despite the late push, Arcahaie managed to hold on for the win.
Arcahaie FC will now face Canadian Premier League champions Forge FC in the quarter-finals.