Playing a rare Thursday night game, the Vernon Controllers scrambled enough of their team to earn a 5-1 win over Goplen Drillers in North Okanagan Women’s Soccer Association Masters Division action on Marshall Field #4.
Neither team had a full roster for the 6:30 kickoff, but the Controllers’ Jenny Currie made up for her late appearance with a perfect through ball to Danielle Dunsmore for an easy finish.
Corinne McWhinney sent Deana Baker to the corner where McWhinney drove a 25-yarder under the bar to make it 2-0 just before the half.
Short players and losing one who tried to comeback early from an injury, the Drillers kept pressing, with Tina Garrison forcing keeper Leslie Epp to make a great save on a blast from fifteen yards out.
McWhinney set up Jackie Nuyens for the Controllers’ third strike early in the second half. Baker then had a corner deflect off a defender and onto the foot of Shaun Yargeau, who drove it top left corner past keeper Shaun Nickoli, who had no chance.
Minutes later, Nickoli made a stellar save with her fingertips as Baker sent a 30-yard laser looking for top corner.
Drillers (4-6-3) were awarded a penalty shot, but Epp made a great save to keep the Drillers off the score sheet. Shelley Zupp, on a feed from Lena Urquart, spoiled Epp’s shutout bid after some relentless pressure.
Baker, taking a beautiful cross from Dunsmore without breaking stride, buried a 20-yard rocket to complete the scoring as the Controllers improved to 8-3-2.
The Drillers, with only nine players, suffered a fatigue setback late in the second half and had trouble covering the full force of the Controllers attack.
Defenders Nancy Nickoli, Tracey Hill and Karen Zupp were outstanding despite the score. Jodi Peshko, Tina Garrison and Stephanie Curtis were a force at midfield.
Bosman crew blanks Toyota
Meanwhile, in a Okanagan Oldtimers 35+ League makeup game, Bosman Accounting used a second-half barrage to bury Vernon Toyota 4-0 Thursday at Marshall #5.
Playing against strong winds in the first half, Bosman (3-9-0) struggled to generate offence. Toyota (5-6) hit a post.
In the second half, the accountants came out on the attack, earning a quick goal by winger Ian Murphy, who connected on a 25-yarder.
Minutes later, Bosman midfielder Glenn Wilson and forward Steve Smith clicked on the left wing, with Wilson serving Smith for an 18-yard strike to the lower left corner.
Midway through the second half, left winger Carl McLennan went on a solo run, scampering in from the left side and finishing perfectly in the right corner.
Bosman was awarded a free kick when Simon Woodward, after a long pass from Mike Barrajon, was taken down between two carmen. Smith curled the ball in for final goal.
The Bosman defence was rock-solid, with Sean Wiebe, Mike Gilman, Nathan Bartel and Greg Sol patrolling the backline. Keeper Guy Paulsen earned the shutout.
