The North Enderby Timber Celtics are no longer the team everybody beats in the North Okanagan Women’s Soccer Association Division 1.
The ever-improving Celtics, under coach Graham Ross, brushed back the Little Tex Outlaws 3-0 Tuesday night, improving to 4-2-2, good for second place behind idle Dr. Lee Dental Clinic.
Playing a hard, physical game, the Celtics took control early owning possession for most of the first half, only to get shut out by the stubborn Little Tex defence.
The Celtics got a great goal from Southwestern Oklahoma State University Bulldogs scoring star Paige Doherty in the 60th minute. Doherty received a great pass from right midfielder Tori Reid, poked the ball through the back line and calmly slotted it home.
“Paige had a great game; it was only a matter of time before she scored,” said Ross.
The Celtics’ second goal came after some tireless work from the back line all the way to the goal, with Jenn Siegmueller wnning a tough 50/50 ball sending the ball deep into the left corner of the pitch, Jodi Bariesheff, a Crossfit fanatic, showed her wheels streaking to win the ball in the corner and crossed it near post to Heidi Holtmann, who volleyed it short side with her left peg.
NET’s third and final goal came off a great run from Carly Smith, who received a sweet chip pass from Ashley Krause. Smith then knock the ball down between two defenders, outran them and buried a sliding shot as the keeper came charging out.
“Our defensive line gets MVP shout out, shutting down the Outlaws, and making it look easy,” added Ross.
Charmaine Biagioni earned the shutout, owning anything inside the box.
Jordan Mercer had a strong game as sweeper despite many hard hits by the Celtics, getting strong support from Stacey Cover, Kaitlyn Dyck and Jennifer Knop.
Jasmine Whitling had another strong game in the middle, setting up several scoring chances, while Anita Rae was also strong in the middle with many great through balls.
Cover had a few good runs up the channel and delivered some beautiful crosses. Christine Fraser was also strong in the midfield.
The first division game scheduled between the AF Blazers and Glenn Power of Salmon Arm was postponed due to wet fields in the Shuswap.
In Masters Division play, Rosters stuffed Setters Pub of Salmon Arm 3-1 at Marshall Field #4.
Rosters’ first goal was scored by Rene Cooke, who capitalized on the 2-5-1 Setters squad looking for a call from the referee instead of playing the whistle.
Setters were caught flat-footed while badgering the referee when Cooke nailed a shot hard off the crossbar that Becky McLennan headed to the back of the net.
Showing no mercy, Cooke finished off the night with an amazing shot from far right side of the 18-yard box.
Rosters displayed excellent ball control in the middle from Lisa Desjardins, who danced around no fewer than six players on an amazing run up the field. Jen Funk and Denise Bateman also had outstanding games for the sports club crew (3-4-2).
The Vernon Square Liquor Store NOU grounded the Shuswap Kaos 3-0 at Marshall #3.
NOU (4-1-3) converted in the early going on a hard, low toe punt by (Lean) Lena Dean, who fought her way into the goal crease after a beauty pass through the middle by Shelley Henry.
Henry then zigged and zagged her way down the centre for the 2-0 goal. The third goal came off an outstanding, high bullet of a corner kick from Cheryl Roddis, who found the fluffy hair of Charlene McNaught, who tapped in to complete the deed. Dar Wiese registered the shutout.
The powerful Vernon Chick Kickers built up a 5-0 lead at the half and cruised past the shortstaffed Goplen Drillers 9-0 at Marshall #2.
Jenny Garnett (3), Crystal Bergman (2), Tania Sladen, Jen Sorochuck, Michelle Johnson and Mel Jacobs scored for the speedy Kickers (7-1), who got some awesome runs down left wing from Trish Cox.
Sorochuck left the game midway through the first half, requiring seven stitches above her eye after going up for a header.
The Kickers also got sizzling games from Charlene Johnson and Corrie Bauml.
Geri O’Brien and Michelle Connolly had some good opportunities up front for the subless Drillers (2-6-1) while the half line of Aggie Golosinski, Karinda McGraw, Kelly Megyesi and Maura McCarthy had solid two-way games.
The defence line and keeper Shaun Nickoli were extremely busy battling the Kickers forwards. Jodi Peshko, Tracey Hill, Karen Zupp and Krista MacCagno ran tirelessly on the back line.
