Morning Star Staff
Vernon Tolko United drew 2-2 with the Penticton Pinnacles in Thompson Okanagan Under 15-16 Girls Rep Soccer League play Saturday at Kings Park
Jayden Strachan juked past two defenders and went top cheddar after a feed from Brianna Bobbitt for United’s first goal.
Penticton took the lead before Mariya Blades converted with a long carry and shot to the bottom, left corner. Midfielder Megan Sherwood created a lot of chances for the forward line.
Vernon (U15) lost 2-1 to second-place Kelowna U16s Sunday at Marshall Field #5.
Vernon battled it out evenly with Kelowna registering the first goal before Kelsey Carriere buried a penalty kick to level the score.
Megan Sherwood and Keira Correia worked well together on the right side, while Hailey Yablonski made some incredible saves.
Sydney Gravatt, Sydney Bergman and Kelsey Carriere were dynamite on the back line, while Elena Gaskell, Blades and Danica Ariano were aggressive on offence.
In U13 action, Vernon lost 2-1 to Kamloops Sunday Marshall #5.
Vernon (3-4-1) dominated much of the game and opened the scoring early when Francesca Durfield fed Brooklyn Routley at the edge of the box. Routley found Kate McIntosh on the far side and McIntosh one-timed a lefty.
United kept pressuring and got a quick transition game from Olivia Johnson, Morgan Boisvert and Claire Baycroft in the backfield.
Kassidy Schaper-Kotter stepped up to fill in for injured keeper Brianna Li and rang up some impressive saves before the Blaze counted two quick goals early in the final 35.
Midfielder Megan Henderson was magnificent with strength and tenacity.
United U14s held host Kelowna United S to a 1-1 draw on a hot Saturday morning at Quarry Park.
Kelowna marked a quick goal in the fifth minute with a deep corner cross, finding a striker who one-touched the ball.
Vernon began to step up their defensive skills, winning key 50-50 balls and controlling possession. Vernon faced some pressure with keeper Summer Crosby stopping a howitzer at 45 minutes. A second Kelowna shot sailed over the crossbar.
Alexis Gauvin-Nice connected with a shot which sailed tw0 feet wide of the goal at 60 minutes. Focused defensive effort and effective communication from defenders Rane Smith, Marika Ternan and Kenzie Killingbeck, kept Kelowna scoring chances to a minimum.
Vernon began to apply heavy pressure in the last 10 minutes and were rewarded after a four-touch pass culminating with a cross from Ternan to striker Mekedes Bunn who popped in Vernon’s goal.
Vernon dropped a 2-1 decision to Kelowna J Sunday at Marshall with Kelowna finding thr net at 20 minutes.
Crosby made multiple saves, while to keep Vernon in the game. Lanaya Bandy and Lina Fankhauser covered alot of ground, holding possession in the midfield
Kelowna went up by a deuce early in the second half before Vernon responded with a one-time through ball from Bandy to Nyla Wilford for a gorgeous top-shelf finish.
Janelle Barnett doubled up on her role by holding the ball and pestering the Kelowna centre backs in the first half, then blocking a number of shots as keeper in the second half.
