Playing for gold was within reach for the Pinnacles FC under-18 girls team.
The squad needed just one point against rivals Kelowna United in Surrey to play for a provincial championship and were a minute from earning a draw. Kelowna United put an end to that hope by scoring to earn a 1-0 decision.
The loss resulted in the Pinnacles being pitted against the Burnaby Girls Impact, for fifth/sixth place. The Pinnacles won 3-2 in penalty kicks. They had a 2-0 lead heading into the final 10 minutes, when the Impact mounted a comeback with penalty kicks. Pinnacles scorers were Nadia Campagnaro and Savanna Yamamoto.
“I thought the girls played extremely well with a limited bench,” said Pinnacles coach Carlos Mendonca, who missed four players to a graduation trip and had another sustain an injury during the championships.
The Pinnacles received strong goalkeeping from Elena Selles, who surrendered five goals in four games.
“I’m over the moon the way she played,” said Mendonca.
The under-18 girls team won two of their three round robin games, opening with a 3-0 shutout of the Comox Valley Blaze and defeating the Prince George Timberwolves 3-2. The Pinnacles came home with the Fair Play Award.
Related: Pinns FC U18 keeper comes up big in golden victory
The under-14 boys team defeated the Campbell River Strikers 2-0 in the fifth/sixth place game at Vernon’s Marshall Fields in the Les Sinnott Memorial Boys Provincial Cup. The team finished round robin play with three ties. They managed two goals in the round robin.
The under-16 girls team earned a win in three games in round robin play.
That victory came 4-0 over Gorge FC/Lakehill in their final round robin game. They easily defeated Nelson 5-0 in the fifth/sixth place game.
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