Third in the open class at the Alberta Indoor Soccer Championships, the Calgary Reign FC appear poised for some outdoor glory as well.
The Reign, formerly known as the Tsunami Blues, registered a threepeat at the 36th annual Vernon National Oldtimers Soccer Tournament by grounding the Edmonton Grasshoppers 6-0 in the ladies 35+ division final Monday afternoon at MacDonald Park.
Liz Kutos and Serena Kerekes, each with deuces, Keltey McColl and Tiff Chester handled the Reign attack with Lee Greico-Savoy posting the shutout.
Calgary earned $500 in expense money, while the Grasshoppers pocketed $300.
“We were able to move the ball around and up the field and pot some goals when we needed them; this is why we come here, to get ready for the outdoor season,” said Reign defender Wendy Lumby, 48, who represented Great Britain in downhill skiing at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics.
The Vernon tourney served as preparation for Greico-Savoy, Jake Hertlein and Michelle Phillips, who will compete in the World Police and Fire Games, June 26-July 5, in Fairfax, Va. There will be 12,000 athletes from 70 countries in Virginia.
The Reign jumpstarted their offence by ambushing the Okanagan FC of Penticton 8-0 Saturday morning at Marshall Field.
They shut down Fresh is Best Amigas of Kamloops 4-0 later Saturday and toppled Squires Four Pub of Vernon 2-0 Sunday in a rematch of last year’s final.
Squires, who lost in penalty kicks in 2014, took third place by edging Okanagan FC 1-0 Monday morning at Marshall.
Erin Scott scored off a feed from Deanna Baker. Lisa Arrotta produced the shutout.
Squires stopped the Calgary Classics 4-0 and dispatched the Grasshoppers 4-1 in their other preliminary matches. There were seven teams in the group.
The Calgary Jaguars Alumni brushed back PoCo 2-1 in Monday’s women’s 40+ final at MacDonald Park, while the Calgary Extreme blanked Calgary Phoenix 6-0 in the consolation final at Marshall Field.
The Jags Alumni opened the tournament by shading the Shooters 2-1 and then battled the Extreme to a scoreless draw and clipped Coquitlam Stingers 2-1.
There were eight teams in the division.
Director Shelly Johnston and her Vernon Liquor Store VQA’s team ran a stellar tournament attended by 53 teams.
Darrell Buckham, Ian Gibson and their crew of referees and linesman – some of whom came in from Vancouver and Willliams Lake – drew big praise.
The VQA’s returned to North Okanagan Women’s Soccer Association play Tuesday night against Rosters Sports Club.
In Division 2 action Thursday night at Marshall Field, the Sir Winston’s Attack go up against Sunsterra Sistas, while the Green Rockets play the Fabulous Four.
Kick-off is 6:45 p.m.
