Morning Star Staff
Vernon Kal Tire smothered the North Country Appraisals Kickers 3-0 in Okanagan Men’s 55+ Soccer League action Thursday night at Mission Sports Field #10.
The struggling Tiremen (9-8-2) put together their finest match in months by creating opportunities through short passes, triangles and tenacity.
North Country fouled Kal Tire players three times, and Kal Tire was awarded three penalty shots.
On the first spot shot, Terry Lowe was fouled by keeper Pat Arneri, who attempted a slide tackle and stopped Lowe’s goal attempt. Lowe’s penalty shot sailed off into the stars.
Penalty shot No. 2 was taken after a North Country player was called for a hand ball inside the 18. Rob Hulstein – just back from a month of Ajax soccer camp in Holland – cooly fired the shot with the side of his foot into the right corner.
The third penalty also went to Hulstein, but Arneri deflected the shot and Hulstein caught the rebound on his toe and buried the shot. Hulstein was named the KPMG Man of the Match.
Bob Fleming and Mark DeVolder combined to set up Gary Dill for the other Vernon goal. The Kickers dipped to 9-7-3.
Pete (The Heat) Richter made a handful of dazzling stops for the shutout.
Vernon Silver Stars gave up two late goals and settled for a 2-2 draw with Lake Country at MacDonald Park.
Nigel Clack and Keith Chancellor scored for the Stars (13-5-1). The Lakers are 6-12-1.
Peniticton TC Auto and Westside drew 2-2 under the lights at Kings Park in Penticton.
Tony Munoz scored both goals for second-place Penticton (16-2-2), while Chris Butlin and Darryl Hazel replied for first-place Westside (18-0-3).
