Eileen Pelliccia recorded her third shutout of the season as the AF Blazers toppled the North Enderby Timber Celtics 5-0 in North Okanagan Women’s Soccer Association Competitive Division action Thursday night at Marshall Field #2.
Delinah Erbenich opened the scoring off a beautiful ball from Amber Maltman. Shortly after, Ally Cummings delivered a great corner to Jenny Hatten to make it 2-0.
Ali Clarke earned her first goal of the season with a nice header. Erbenich netted her second of the night, assisted by Amanda Swales and Chelsea Ricketts.
Erbenich feathered a breakaway ball to Krista Ference, who went around the keeper to score.
Jane Higgins, Amanda Swales and Amber Maltman were solid on defence as the Blazers went to 2-9-3.
In other Competitive play Thursday night, host Salmon Arm TED United and Dr. Lee Dental/Checkers battled to a 2-2 draw at Blackburn Park.
United (11-2-3) jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first 20 minutes, the second goal appearing to hit the cross bar yet called a goal right away by the officials. Dr. Lee (10-4-1) stormed back with Andi King converting a header from Irene Arrotta.
Playing with only 11 bodies, the Pub crew applied pressure throughout the second half, tying the game when Dana Reid, off a free kick, found Kirsten Dodds, who scored with less then two minutes to go.
Dr. Lee had to win in order to have any chance of finishing first overall. United, who finish the regular season with a bye next week, clinched the title.
In Masters Division action Thursday at Marshall #5, the Seasons Sista’s and Okanagan Impact ran to an exciting 4-4 draw.
The Impact converted first on an endless scramble in front of the net, the ball finally managing to ricochet past keeper Pam Zalcik.
Zalcik made an outstanding save on a shot to the high corner but sprained her thumb and was replaced by Nicole Langner.
Shortly after, the Impact notched another on a hard shot that was stopped by Langner, but the rebound found the back of the net.
Sista’s responded with an amazing long high shot over Impact goalie Kate Colbert by Kim Sylvester, playing in her new halfback position.
Forward Helen Clarke was persistent making things happen, but was unable to put one past the Impact keeper.
Fired up after a halftime briefing, the Sista’s started to believe they had a chance to be in this game. After making some great through ball passes by Helen Clarke, Becky Birbillis, and Jaunita Garner, Sylvester scored three unanswered goals to put Sista’s up 4-2.
Late in the half, the Impact made it a one-goal game with a strike from 18 yard box.
One last rush by the Impact (10-3-4) led to a hand ball by Sylvester, drawing a penalty kick which was converted for the equalizer.
Honourable mentions for the (2-11-3) Sista’s went to the defensive line of Michele Niles, Keri Storey, Deb Whitling and Sherry Weibe.
The Vernon Controllers came from behind to register a 3-3 draw with Monashee’s Pub at Marshall #2.
A well-placed drive from 30 yards out gave Monashee the early lead with keeper Michelle Embleton having no chance to stop it.
Jenny Currie equalized in the 20th minute with a 12-yard volley off a sweet cross from Deanna Baker.
A defensive miscue just before the half led to a breakaway, leaving Embleton no chance and giving Monashee the lead again.
Currie and Baker teamed up again, but the ball went from post to post along the line with no one to finish and later an unlucky Jackie Nuyens drove one off the bar from 30 yards out.
The Monashee keeper fumbled a blast from Michele Wernicke and Sue Ghattas was there for a tap in to make it 2-2.
A minute later, the hard-working Monashee side, now 3-11-3, went ahead as Embleton, playing her first game of the season, mishandled a shot and the loose ball found the back of the net.
With time running out, Therese Weber’s clever through ball found Corinne McWhinney and she finished nicely from in close to equalize for the Controllers (9-4-4).
Returning from an eye injury defensive-mid Wernicke was stellar, as was Brandie Hunter, filling in for injured sweeper Jody Pope.
