Rain didn’t slow down the Penticton Pinnacles under-21 men’s team or their offensive skills against Chilliwack FC at King’s Park Sunday.
The Pinnacles enjoyed a balanced attack in a 5-0 victory in the Pacific Coast Soccer League Reserve Division play opener. James Fraser led with a pair of goals. Randy Hubber, Brett Depner and Enzo Paal each scored once. Pinnacles coach Wyatt Seddon-Johnstone liked his team’s start as they attacked in the first 10 minutes, leading to a goal.
“I would have liked to have seen a little bit more ball possession in the first half,” he said. “Hung on 1-0 where the game could have gone either way.”
They pushed hard to start the second half and continued it to the end spending most of their time in Chilliwack’s zone.
“We dominated 90 per cent of the game,” said Hubber, adding that Chilliwack was a weaker opponent. “Played a pretty good possession game.”
Hubber loved their start and said the young players performed well. He said it’s a great start to the season. Seddon-Johnstone said it was an important win, especially with a new squad that hasn’t been together too much. He believes the teams’ strength is their attacking.
“We’ve got a lot of really good, quick young players,” he said, adding that their offensive threat is exciting. Find full story at www.pentictonwesternnews.com.
Before their next game, May 24 in Victoria against the Mid Isle Highlanders, the Pinnacles will work on their defensive structure.
Under-21 women’s team
Heading into last weekend with a shortened roster, coach Ray Hintz said he’d be happy to get a few points from their first three games.
After opening with a 1-0 loss to the Peninsula Co-Op Highlanders from Victoria on May 3, the Pinnacles had a strong performance to defeat TSS Academy Red 3-0.
LaDawn Latawiec, Kelsey Williams and Mary McMillan scored.
“We played smart and our communication was better,” said Hintz, adding that Mila Miller and Alana Parker brought leadership in the back end.
Hintz said the Pinnacles were strong defensively and did a good job taking the middle away from TSS Academy Red. He liked his players’ effort, but feels they can improve with creating chances. Fitness levels need to improve and confidence can be higher.
Over the weekend, the Pinnacles had Jill Lommer and Gabby Levesque go down to injury. Lommer is out for four to six weeks with a knee injury.
This weekend the Pinnacles host TSS Academy Black at 2 p.m. at King’s Park. Hintz plans on working on systems and intends to use Saturday’s game as an exhibition, but still hopes they can improve their record to 2-1 in the Reserve Division.
Former Pinnacle Jana Yates is joining Hintz’s coaching staff and may play this season.
