The Little Tex Outlaws decided July was a perfect month to end their winless streak.
The struggling Outlaws got a huge effort from everybody as they edged Glenn Power 2-1 in North Okanagan Women’s Soccer Association Division 1 play Tuesday night at Marshall Field #4.
Jordan Mercer and Jenn Knop were tireless as central defenders, getting strong support from Stacey Cover, Lisa Stewart and Kristy Anderson. The Salmon Arm crew’s goal came in the last five minutes.
Kristy Anderson scored Little Tex’s first goal on a long ball that sailed in over the Glenn Power’s keeper’s head.
Stephanie Conti was tireless in the middle with many scoring chances and one that finally paid off with the winner.
Kira Lee had a great game setting up several Outlaw scoring chances. Midfielders Christine Fraser and Eileina Huisken sent many through balls and great crosses to set up forwards Lee and Candace Lipiski.
Keeper Eileen Fox had another strong game for the Outlaws (3-5-1). She came out hard and stopped the few shots the speedy Salmon Arm 2-4-3) forwards registered.
Dr. Lee Dental Clinic remained undefeated with a 3-1 victory over the AF Blazers at Marshall #3.
Veteran striker Krista Ference knocked in a beautiful cross from Carissa Morneau to give the Blazers an early lead as Dr. Lee started with 10 players.
Minutes later, Morneau used some fancy foot work to beat the Dr Lee’s defence, but shot just wide. After Dr Lee’s 11th player arrived, the defensive battle began. Speedy sweeper Amber Maltman excelled for the Blazers while keeper Jeanette Maleska made several brilliant saves.
Andi King, from Jacquie Hansen, equalized five minutes before the half. Both teams were held at bay with great calls from the two linesmen.
With 11 players to start the second half, the Floss crew threatened on numerous occasions only to be turned away by Maleska.
With 14 minutes left, the Blazer defence switched off a few minutes and King set up Ally Dodds, then Dodds returned the favour with a give-and-go which King finished low, corner.
Wendy’s Lady of the Match Stephanie Wilson had her best game of the year, running miles in the midfield, while Margo Fleming, Kim Teichman and Loren Brunelle stayed strong in front of Lisa Arrotta, as the Dental gang improved to 9-0-1.
Kailee Streichert and Marjorie Boisvert had several quality scoring chances for the Blazers (0-7-2).
In Masters Division play, the Controllers shaded the Vernon Square Liquor Store NOU 1-0.
Eleven minutes in, the Controllers’ Felicia O’Gorman cracked one from 22 yards out that keeper Darlene Weiss just got a piece of to knock over the bar at Marshall #2. Michele Wernicke pounded a 25 yarder, off a set play, which Weiss got her foot on to knock it past the post.
At the half, the Controllers lost three defenders to prior commitments but they managed to patch up the back line with some super fit substitutes.
Jenny Currie and Deanna Baker were terrific additions to the back anchored by veteran Brandie Hunter. While Val Percy was off getting her haircut, her replacement Baker fed Ang Durfeld on the right side. Durfeld’s through ball put Emma Louis in alone.
The streaking Louis had no problem beating Weiss, ripping a 20-yarder inside the post with 15 minutes left.
Amy Shupe, Krista Backer, and Michelle Mercer had strong games up front for the 6-2-2 Controllers, while the tandem of Leslie Epp and Wernicke rose to the challenge defensively. Keeper Mickey Templeton had some anxious moments, but for the most part, was very tidy to earn the shutout.
Dawn Lemiski returned from injury to set up two goals as the Longhorn Impact grounded Seasons Sistas 3-0 at Marshall #1.
Lemiski jumpstarted the offence with a nice tap-in pass to Tina Garrison, who buried it top right corner. The second goal was not so pretty as Lemiski miskicked a shot and it landed at Janelle Smithson’s foot. The red-hot Smithson craftly turned and shot low to the right corner.
The third goal came in the final minute after a hand ball was called inside the 18. Minda Chittenden converted the penalty shot.
Longhorn’s most improved player, Reena Leupin ,made several swift runs and intelligent passes, while strong defence was turned in by Suzie Andrews and Jody Hawthorne. The Impact are 4-0-2 going into a make-up game against the Shuswap Merlot tonight.
The Sistas (0-10-1) had several near misses but couldn’t make one count. Ever relentless sweeper Sherry Wiebe foiled Impact attacks again and again. Eddie Ramsey of the Impact was unable to shake Keri Storey for most of the second half.
Breakaways by Becky Birbilis, Kim Sylvester, Shannon Walton, Andrea Zubot and Sacha Schenker resulted in several near misses. Kateri Mills was invaluable with strong throw-ins and free kicks.
Suzyn August keeps showing steadily improvesment in net, while solid showings also came from Lesley Williams, Juanita Garner and Wendy Kowalchuk.
