The Gray Monk/Longhorn Impact shaded the Chick Kickers 2-1 in Vernon Women’s Soccer Association Masters Division play Friday night at Marshall Field #2.
The Kickers scored first on a wonderful goal on a full volley in the first half. Michelle Johnson started it off for the Chicks.
Winger Tania Sladen made a rush down the flank, cut into the middle and flipped a pass over the defender’s head to Johnson who, after one bounce, smoked the ball over keeper Derri Ann Cooper’ head. Cooper stood no chance.
Just before the half, Myra McEwan sweetly headed in a corner by Alicia McCreary for the equalizer.
Both teams made numerous runs and through balls and McEwan set up the winner at 65 minutes on a high lofting ball from just past the half line. Looking for the run on, she hit the post and it popped right onto the foot of Bree Pickett for the tap in past Crystal Bergman.
Roadrunners Janelle Smithson and Edeen Ramsey were stellar up front, making it one of the most exciting games to date for the 10-2-3 Impact.
Controllers battle hard with 11
In other action, the Vernon Controllers showed up with 11 players and fell 3-2 to the host Shuswap Merlot.
The Salmon Arm ladies went ahead on an early corner, but Michele Wernicke levelled things with a rocket off the keeper’s fingertips and under the bar.
Krista Copeland was credited with a goal as Wernicke’s corner bounced in off her, Copeland’s first goal in her first game as a forward.
Leading by one at the half, Controllers’ keeper Mickey Templeton could not stop a pinball deflection off a defender on a drive by Merlot’s Janet Beltz.
Minutes later, Val Dessaulles drilled one under the bar from distance for her second of the night for the winner.
It was a hard-fought game from start to finish with the Controllers having the better of the chances and possession.
The back line of Jody Pope, Leah Mulvihill and Brandei Hunter were bold with Hunter being named Lady of the Match playing her best game of the season. Up front, Mandy Frederick, (Lean) Lena Dean and Wernicke were dangerous all night.
The VQA showed up with 10 players and at times, when breast feeding needed to be done, and pulled out a 3-1 win over the Goplen Drillers at Marshall #3.
Sarah Wallace, with a deuce, and Sue Barss provided the offence for the VQA (5-9-2), who got deluxe goalkeeping from one-time hockey calendar girl Karen Benn.
Carly Bibby ran a marathon, while the back line of Penney Crebo-Dolman, Shelly Johnston and Beth Lazar was dynamic. Some splendid attacks were turned in by Ute Kintzel, Carla Gibson and Harmony Crockett.
Kwantes pulls hat trick for Centreline
In Division 2 play, Capri Insurance held off Centreline Attack 5-3 at Marshall #1.
Striker Sarah Kwantes pulled the hat trick for Centreline, who got an excellent half showing in net by Celine Connely after starter Azra Cawley was injured recording a kamikaze diving save.
Peggy Schepp covered the last quarter of the game in goal and was strong as always. The purle squad got a an all-planet performance from Jodi Hawthorne, a truly graceful, hard-kicking, smart-playing machine who can play any position well.
