Morning Star Staff
Vernon Kia and H&L Glass played to a 2-2 draw in youth soccer Under 18 Girls House league action Saturday at Marshall Field.
Excitable Alyssa Pembleton took the field with one thought: attack the net and be rewarded with her first career tally. And that she did.
“She worked hard, kicking, running, shielding and following the ball and still had words of praise for her other teammates,” said Kia head coach Shelly Johnston.
Kate Curtis fed the attacking, tireless Janelle Cole for Kia’s second goal. Kelsey Raber was amazing in the Kia net, stopping many shots and keeping the Kia girls in the game with her fantastic goal kicks.
Strong defence for Kia was turned in by Jennifer Borchert, who never showed she had just completed a 30-hour famine.
Kaylee Barss, fresh from her three-month exchange in Belgium, never showed signs of jet lag. Roadrunner Kristina Thompson won most 50-50 balls, ran her opponents down and stopped several scoring opportunities.
Outside defenders Aliyah Akkurt and Kailee Duggan continually ran down the H&L Glass girls, sending the ball back up the lines with their big kicks and smart soccer techniques.
Workhorse Anna Anderson provided a handful of awesome shots and rushes at the net.
Paige Habertstock, Emma Dolman, Josee Christian, Simi Sidhu and Mackenzie Martin rounded out the Kia squad with key two-way games.
The Red Bulls split the first two games of their U13 Boys House season, falling 2-1 to Team White in their opener.
Shane Pelkey scored the loan Red Bulls’ goal on a nice feed from David Heng. Twin towers Nick Alveberg and Josh Baker were pillars on defence while keeper Jared Bobryk made several outstanding saves.
In their second game, the Red Bulls’ offence was ticking in an entertaining 9-4 win over Team Gold.
Marcelo Suro scored four goals worthy of posting on YouTube to show his parents back in Mexico. Tenacious Connor Johnston scored a pair while Bryce Meausette, Dylan Henry and Kye Fentiman added singles. Fullbacks Gaman Singh and Kieran Webster were stellar.
In late-reported Rep play, Logan Quibell earned his third straight shutout as the Vernon U11 United Boys stopped the visiting Kamloops White 6-0.
Striker Zack Smith (Man of the Match) paced United with a hat trick. Smith opened the scoring by putting away a cross from Liam Glennon, and then followed it up with a breakaway goal assisted by a long punt by Quibell.
Just before the half, Saajan Klair put back a rebound to make it 3-0. The second half saw a beautiful volley by Sheldon Yakura off a cross from Smith to make it 4-0.
“The boys controlled play for most of the game and took advantage of the opportunities presented to them,” said United head coach Sean Smith.
“Our defence and goaltending was rock solid again and they are starting to play better positional soccer.”
