Trudy Knight (left) of Papine High zand her teammate Jheneil Bruce challenge St. Andrew High's Stephanie Channer (centre) in their ISSA/JHF Under-19 schoolgirls hockey match at Mona recently, which ended 1-1. Both teams will meet in the Under-16 competition's opening game at Mona later. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

Defending champions St. Andrew High will face Papine in today's feature game of Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/Jamaica Hockey Federation (JHF) girls Under-16 competition at the Mona Hockey Turf, starting at 2:00 p.m.

In the day's other games, Alpha oppose St. Hugh's at 4:30 p.m. and Campion College boys tackle Tivoli Gardens at 3:15 p.m.

Experienced team

Andre Thomas, coach of Papine, said she is very confident that her team can beat the champions.

"I am expecting to come out victorious in today's match. I think that I have a more experienced Under-16 team than St. Andrew," said Thomas. "It is the same team that I used to win the Under-19 competition that will be playing in this tournament. I know that St. Andrew have some experienced players coming in from the Under-19 competition, but we are going out there to play some competitive hockey and to win the game."

Thomas said the team will be relying heavily on the likes of Jodian Issacs, Amia Taylor, Tashana Edwards and Trudy Knight, all of whom played vital roles on the Under-19 championship team.

Dr. Michelle Holt, coach of St. Andrew, said: "I am not very confident because we have lost some of our key players, including all of our defence and our goalkeeper, all of whom have moved up into the Under-19 team. However, I think that our strength lies in our attack."

Dr. Holt added that she is expecting good performances from the likes of midfielder Racene Johnson, Yanique Webb, Demi Nicholson, forward Stephanie Channer and defender Trudy Williams.