The Vernon United U14 boys stretched their unbeaten streak to nine games Sunday with a 2-0 Thompson-Okanagan Youth Rep Soccer League win over Revelstoke.
Zac Kronbauer, from Lucas Ross and Jorden Dewing, opened the scoring at the eight-minute mark to give Vernon the early lead.
Midway through the first half, Cameron Hitch fired a bullet off the crossbar on a free kick from 20 yards out, but Revelstoke was able to clear the rebound. It was 1-0 Vernon at the half.
Just into the second half, Kronbauer banged another shot off the crossbar on a great individual effort. His tenacity was rewarded just 10 minutes later when he scored his second of the game on a great cross from fireball Matthew Kreutz.
United got strong games from midfielders Kody Glinsbockel and Brandon Melbourne, as well as from defenders Shayne Groeneveld and Chase Larsen.
Back-up keeper Bryce Dyck earned the shutout.
Vernon travels to Couer d’Alene, Idaho to play in the 20th Annual Bill Eisenwinter Hot Shot Tournament this weekend.
n The U12 rep development Silver Star Mountain Lions #1 showed a lot of grit and determination Sunday in Kamloops, posting a 2-2 tie against Kelowna #1 and a 4-1 win over Kamloops Orange.
In their first match of the day, Kelowna United took a 2-0 first-half lead over the Lions. However, the Vernon side stormed back shortly after their keeper, Shane Pelkey, had to leave the game after suffering an injury while bravely stopping a Kelowna breakaway.
Malcolm Wiens started the comeback after he found Jared Quibell on the right side of the pitch, with a through ball. Quibell fended off a Kelowna defender and then beat the United keeper with a low shot to the left.
Inspired by their goal, the Mountain Lions kept the pressure on and were rewarded for their efforts with only two minutes left in the game, as Reed Cashato slotted the ball just inside the post after a goal-mouth scramble.
Connor London and Quibell had their initial shots blocked, but Cashato was not denied, tying the game.
“It was a great effort by the boys,” said Mountain Lions #1 coach Rolf Hirschkorn. “It would have been easy for the boys to fold after being down 2-0, but they played with fire in their bellies and rallied for a deserved tie.”
Langdon Kersey was noted for his strong midfield play, as was Wilson Stewart. Charis Ondrik was praised for his outstanding defence and for filling in as goalie for the remainder of the match, making several key saves.
In their second match of the day against Kamloops Orange, it was the Quibell Show. Ondrik’s monster goal kick found Quibell just past centre. Quibell then raced past the Kamloops defender and beat the Orange keeper to the left, scoring only seconds into the second half. Quibell then added his second goal of the match one minute later, when Mees Geelkerken sent Quibell in on a semi breakaway. Quibell fended off the Kamloops defender and found the right side of the net. After 20 minutes of back and forth soccer, Peter Hirschkorn sent Quibell in on a through ball that Quibell one-timed and ripped the ball past the Kamloops keeper.
In the 56th minute, Reece Schroeder set Quibell free once again on the right side of the pitch. Quibell drew the Orange defence to him and then skillfully slotted the ball across the 18-yard box to Geelkerken, who finished clinically to give Vernon a 4-0 lead. Silver Star keeper Ondrik was finally beaten with only two minutes to go.
“Charis (Ondrik) was amazing in net”, said coach Hirschkorn.
Peter Hirschkorn, Schroeder and London were also praised for their strong defensive play, as were Cashato and Geelkerken for their tireless play in midfield.
n The Silver Star Mountain Lions U12 #2 squad extended their winning streak with a 3-0 win over Penticton in a game played in Kamloops.
Malcolm Wiens scored early in the first half off a corner from Owen Burnet to give the Lions a 1-0 lead, which keeper Wyatt Carter preserved in the second half when he stopped a penalty kick.
Kenzel Aarts and Wiens added second half goals for United, whose winning streak was stopped later in the day by Kamloops.
Morgan Nichols, Aaron Botterill and Josh Hyer played strong games in defence against Penticton. Liam Hennig and Kevin Thibault controlled the midfield. MVP Carter earned the shutout.
n Vernon United U13 suffered a 4-1 setback in Kelowna on Mother’s Day.
United started out strong, putting pressure on the hosts and pursuing the ball with determination.
The hard work was rewarded early as United earned a corner, taken by Nick Klymchyk whose cross was met by the head of Justin Haverkamp. The ball then pinballed off off Cole Benjaminsen and a Kelowna defender before going in.
Vernon almost made it 2-0 as Bryn Bedard’s shot clanged off the post.
Vernon played some of its best soccer of the year as they pressed with many through balls to speedsters Gage Kopp and Benjaminsen. Defenders Daniel Aspenlieder, Logan Imrich, Jeremy Purvis and Troy Atkinson held a strong line throughout the first half. Midfielder Ben Moss showed some nice touches and Haverkamp showed a lot of hustle.
Kelowna equalized just before the break, and added three more goals in the second half, including the last goal that deflected off a United defender and handcuffed keeper Austin White.
n The Vernon United U18 girls gave a gutsy effort in a 3-0 loss against Kelowna.
Playing without any subs, the girls kept Kelowna in check for most of the first half, but the rain and wet grass created some difficulty for keeper Cassandra Otto as the ball skipped between her hands for the only goal of the first half.
The Vernon girls continued their intensity and had their chances to tie it up in the second half but the Kelowna goalie was up to the task. With only 15 minutes remaining, United lost a player due to work commitments and had to finish the game with only 10. Kelowna scored their other two goals in the final 10 minutes.
The Vernon defence, led by centre back Cayla Brown, who had an outstanding game, continued to turn back the Kelowna team.
n Vernon United U12 girls’ weekend results fluctuated like the weather.
United#1 and United #2 each had a loss and a tie in four games in Kamloops.
Vernon #1 tied Kelowna 2-2 with Kendra Ostafie scoring on a free kick. Maddie Findlay-Proctor added the second goal in front of Caleb Pope.
United then lost 4-1 to Kamloops. Cayleigh Graham scored Vernon’s lone goal.
United #2 suffered a 4-0 setback to Kamloops White, and tied Kamloops Blue 1-1 in a game Vernon led until 50 minutes in. Rowie Dunlop had Vernon’s only marker.
n Vernon United bowed 4-0 in U16 girls action to host Kelowna.
Rookie keepers Danika Damini and Danielle Butler worked hard but could not stop the strong kelowna team. Marisa Berg, Kendall Tomiak, Emma Tassie and Dory Geelkerken put in solid showings.
