In U11 Boys Development action Sunday, both Vernon United teams split their games at Marshall Field.
Roy Cooper’s United #1 bounced Kamloops Blue 2-0 after falling 3-0 to Penticton #1.
Owen Miller scored the winner against Kamloops by heading in a sweet corner by Braeden Cooper.
Steven Benischek added insurance when he converted a great cross from CJ Storey.
Coach Cooper, who just celebrated his 45th birthday, praised Storey and Alex Ogunbiyi for playing with a raised level of intensity.
Benischek earned Player of the Match versus Penticton as United ran into a hot keeper.
Vernon United #2, coached by Kevin Mitchell, posted a 3-1 win over Kelowna United #2 after falling 4-3 to Kelowna #3 on a late 25-yard blast which hit top shelf behind keeper Nick Mitchell.
Perez Vermeulen opened Vernon’s scoring in their victory, off a feed by Ben Purvis. Player of the Match Finn Plummer, from Cody Webb, and Leon Schenker, on a fabulous 30-yard run through two defenders, netted the other goals. Dylan Huber and Braydie Allan were solid in goal.
Against Kelowna #3, Vermeulen took Game MVP with a pair of goals, one on a pass by Joe Eggert, and another on a superb direct kick from a tough angle which found the top corner.
Plummer beautifully one-timed a hard corner by Purvis for Vernon’s 3-3 equalizer.
In U12 Girls action, Vernon #1 tied Kelowna 1-1 and brushed back Kamloops 3-1 Sunday at Salmon Arm Savings & Credit Union Park.
Saige Woodliffe scored in the draw, while Abbey Hughes (2) and Cayleigh Graham handled the offence versus Kamloops.
Vernon #2 fell 6-0 to Kelowna #3 3-0 to Kamloops Orange.
Vernon United U18 girls continued to struggle with a lack of bodies and scoring goals as they dropped a 2-0 decision to host Salmon Arm on Sunday.
Salmon Arm opened the scoring with 15 minutes remaining in the first half after a cross was knocked in. After allowing a goal early in the second half, and despite only having one sub for the second half, Vernon began to carry the play.
The last 15 minutes saw scoring opportunities by Jenna Bowman, Kirman Nijjar and Ashley Krause being thwarted by the Shuswap keeper. Cassandra Otto, with her speed and constant runs up and down the wing, was Vernon’s Player of the Match.
The Vernon United U16 girls gained a scoreless tie Sunday in Salmon Arm.
Emma Tassie and Danielle Jackson had some great runs in the first half and Dory Geelkerken and Isabelle Weber Concannon both took hard shots, but couldn’t finish.
Brianna Thalheimer got great showings from Alex Carter and Kali Wells. The United girls are in the Kamloops tourney this weekend.
In U13 House girls play, the Royal LePage Navy Blue Manrays lost to the Yellow team 1-0.
Both teams played hard through a scoreless opening half.
The Manrays’ keepers Jenna Mulholland and Milana Ivanoff had lots of action with Sierra Brenner-Gordon, Jamieson Mason and Vicky Grahn being strong on the defence.
Midway through the second half, the Yellows converted on a hard shot. The Manrays had lots of scoring chances, but couldn’t finish.
Paige Hason and Kiona Ramsey played well against the strong Yellow defence, while Maddie Powls and Sarah Wiebe were key players in the midfield.
