Morning Star Staff
Vernon United earned a solid 1-1 draw with Kelowna United in Thompson Okanagan Under 14 Boys Rep Soccer League play Sunday at Marshall Field.
Kelowna came out strong and their speedy striker ran on to a through ball and deked keeper Jared Ross before slotting the ball home.
The snipe seemed to revive United and they finished the first half well after missing several great scoring chances.
Brodie Fraser finished off a nice passing play from Tage Kineshanko and William Oort-Bosman, hammering a left footed strike home to level the score.
Aiden Buckley threatened to break through several times. Vernon kept pressing and dominated the remainder of the half. Kelowna’s speedster was a constant threat but defender Mathew Reich shadowed him step for step.
Hayden Catt, Josh McKeown and Saajan Klair were marvellous.
In U15 play, Vernon and host Revelstoke Avalanche ran to a 3-3 draw.
Revy took an early lead, but Bryan Brew equalized off a throw-in from Garrett Van Soest. Taylor Boisvert placed a beautiful pass to the wing where Jacob Baycroft then crossed the ball to Michael Lapp, who buried it for a 2-1 lead.
The Avs tied it with a beautiful shot from right wing. Jacob Baycroft made it 3-2 Vernon off an assist from Reilly Johnson, who sparkled in midfield alongside Ethan Ross.
A quick rush by Revelstoke tied things with 10 minutes remaining. The United boys finished off with an icy swim in the Columbia River before the drive home.
The Tolko United U12 boys played Kelowna teams in their doubleheaders Sunday in K-Town.
Team S split their games as they faced Kamloops teams with Jared Eddy in net as Vernon edged Kamloops H 2-1.
Colby McManaman converted a sweet feed by Carter Leahy to put Vernon on the sheet first. Ben Straight added the insurance goal after some heavy pressure.
A final-second penalty shot against Vernon with seconds left denied Justin Ruscheinsky the shutout.
In Game 2, Vernon lost 3-2 to Kamloops M with Straight starting in net and Nick Noren passing to Alex Kazimer, who tipped it over the keeper for the first strike.
Kamloops equalized just before the half. Levi Korol took on keeper duties for the second half and sent a long ball to Straight, who supplied the go-ahead goal. Kamloops scored on a bar down penalty kick and then netted the winner.
Tolko Team C lost 4-1 to Kamloops M and bowed 4-2 to Kelowna Team A.
Jonah Violini and Liam Collins supported Aidan Winn against marauding Kamloops. Tate Garrod tallied for Vernon.
In Game 2, Zachary Loland put Vernon ahead by connecting on a pass from Declan Hardy. The local boys pressured hard and Owen Challen capitalized on a deflection for the second goal.
The Vernon Venom U11 boys suffered two tough losses, falling 1-0 to Kelowna and then losing 4-3 to Kamloops.
Venom played an exceptional first half versus Kelowna, getting splendid saves by Braxton McDonald and dynamic defence by Mac Sorochuk, Rowan Smith, Kaden O’Connor and Matthew Hill Turner.
Offensive pressure was turned in by Henry Routley, Jentezen Peterson, Josh Donison and Mitchell Bond. Josh Mark was strong both ways.
Game 2 was one of the Venom’s best played games of the season with Kamloops converting early.
Peterson levelled things off of a beauty corner from Donison. Routley’s speed and grit kept the ball in the offensive end and Peterson landed the Venom’s second goal with a bullet one-timer. Bond tied it, assisted by Smith.
The 2005 United Wildcats lost 6-2 to Kamloops D and 4-0 to Kelowna R in Revelstoke. The Cats lessened the margin since their last tangle with both sides.
Lucas Petrone and Lucas Hotlz ran kilometres on defence versus Kamloops.
William Lockwood and Ethan Anderson both produced goals against Kelowna. Ed Wood and Hunter Schindel pressured up the flanks, while Kailen Russell displayed excellent footwork and Austan Van Denbrand demonstrated what it means to be determined no matter the score.
