The Polar Bears powered to a 3-0 whitewash of the Cookie Monsters in U12 boys house soccer Saturday at Marshall Field #2.
Colby Eisenhauer broke the ice with a peppery one-timer in the fourth minute. Keaton Dick keyed the Monsters’ counterattack with some deft dribbling, while Cade Dempsey and Evan Bush provided pinpoint passing.
Twice, Quinn Soon looked to have the tying goal on his boot, but keeper Ashton Komaryk stoned him cold.
In the second half, Jonathan Bielski padded the Bears’ lead with two blistering blasts in quick succession, set up by Jace Kisilevich and Quaid Willett.
Still, there was no quit in the Monsters. Liam Heckrodt won balls through pure hustle. Owen Sunderland was a constant threat, making hair-raising runs deep into bear country. Komaryk and Eisenhauer shared the shutout for the polar pack.
A virtuoso performance by Sophie Challen carried the Blue Skittles to a 2-0 triumph over the Red Canadians in U9 girls play Saturday at Creekside Park.
Denied twice on early breakaways, Challen charged through the Canadian line again in the 16th minute and opened the scoring.
At the other end, Erica Lovelace was a revelation in the Skittle net, pulling out all the stops. Twice she shut down Canadians in the clear.
Lauren Cunningham and Sierra Allen ran miles for the blue side, and held sway all over the pitch. Early in the second half, Challen led a 3-on-0, and found the net again with a low kick.
Allen, Aida Dempsey and Jasmine Soon followed with breakaways of their own, but the Canadian keeper held down the fort. With five saves in the second, Ava Wood kept a clean sheet for the Blue Skittles.
The Printech Prowlers Gold brushed off the Fairfield Inn & Suites 2-1 in U13 boys action at Marshall Field.
Fairfield led 1-0 at the recess with their keeper recording several huge saves.
The Prowlers kept up the pressure in the second frame and were rewarded with two goals by Willem Gibson. Assists went to Brad Cramer and Rory Campbell.
Printech got solid midfield work by Emmerson Corduff and a great two-way game by Declan Townes. Teagan Bader took a turn in net and earned the second-half shutout.
Meanwhile, coaches Brett Bandy, James Lockwood and Genevieve Nice watched the Tolko United U13 girls bounce the Kamloops Blaze in Thompson Okanagan Rep League play Sunday at rainy Marshall Field #5
United opened the scoring with Emma Lockwood dangling both centerbacks and surprising the keeper low corner in the 15th minute. Ava McLennan finished a PK after a hand ball inside the 18 just before half.
Ann Cherkowski hit an 18-yard rocket top corner in the second half and Emily Boden slipped one by the keeper on a tough angle at the touch line.
Defenders Rane Smith, Elizabeth Hirschkorn, Marika Ternan and Kelsey Fillion were tough to beat, only allowing a couple of shots on goal.
Midfielders Ann Cherkowski, Ava McLennan, Alexa Gauvin-Nice, Callie Bertram, Ashley Budgen, Emily Boden and Jasana Kunz controlled the midfield and made numerous runs and through balls to the strikers.
Forwards Lanaya Bandy, Emma Lockwood and Taylor Francks kept relentless pressure on the Blaze back line, creating many scoring chances.
Keepers Janelle Barnett and Summer Crosby didn’t get a lot of work but directed traffic and connected on goal kicks. United hosts Kelowna Sunday, 10 a.m., at Marshall #4.
