Speedy Kim Sylvester delivered a hat trick to help Season’s Sistas ground Salmon Arm Kaos 3-1 for their first North Okanagan Women’s Soccer Association Masters Division win Tuesday night at Marshall Field #2.
Starting the game two girls short and battling the heat, the Sistas, now 1-9-1, got off to an ideal start as Andrea Zubot took possession off the opening kickoff and fed a gorgeous through ball to the roadrunner Sylvester, who made no mistake burying a shot past the Salmon Arm keeper.
Sistas never slowed down and continued great passing, while Sherry Weibe, supported by Gizelle Duquette and hard-working Becky (Bubbles) Birbillis, controlled the back line.
Strong, steady centre half play by Angela Otto formed the launching point of multiple Sistas’ attacks. Up front, Sylvester stole the show, streaking past the Kaos defenders on some great through balls by Zubot.
Kaos (1-8-1) made it close in the second half, tying the game on an amazing corner kick that resulted in a blast over Sistas’ keeper Jaunita Garner. Less than a minute later, the Sistas recovered the lead and never looked back.
Honourable mentions went to Sistas’ Coca Fair, playing some net and outside half while recovering from a calf injury. Deb Whitling made some outstanding moves and passes, and Sasha Schenker, playing with a heat-resistant ailment, managed to sub on every 10 minutes to help her shorthanded squad.
Goplen Drillers ended a bad spell with a 4-3 win over Shuswap Merlot Tuesday at Marshall #1.
Goplen Game MVP honours were shared by Kylah Bryde, who scored a pair of goals, and Lisa Lanaway, making her Driller debut (she played competitive with the former Celtics in the 90s).
With no subs and no coach, the Drillers (3-5-3) beat the heat by playing with lots of communication and good passing. Karen Zupp scored the first goal on an excellent cross by Geri O’Brien.
After supplying sister-in-law Shelley Zupp with three incredible crosses, Karen left one right on the goal crease that Shelley buried.
Vel Beaumont kept the back line in check with her supportive chatter. Nancy Nickoli distributed the ball well, while sister-in-law Shaun Nickoli made some great grabs, showing her confidence as a seasoned goalie.
In the second half, Bryde scored with a hard shot after receiving a pass from Shelley Zupp. Her second goal, assisted by O’Brien, was a high rocket over the Merlot keeper’s head. Merlot are 5-5-1.
The Vernon Controllers and Okanagan Impact were unable to break their third-place deadlock, and instead settled for a 2-2 tie Tuesday night.
The Controllers’ Leslie Epp put a 35-yarder on to the foot of Jenny Currie, who deftly looped a shot over Impact keeper Wendy Ellis from 30 yards out to open the scoring.
Impact, even with the Controllers at 7-3-2, drew equal 10 minutes later when the ball pin-balled in front of the Controllers’ net, with Shelinda Morin chipping it over Michele Wernicke.
Wernicke responded by making a highlight-reel save in the second half, blocking an absolute rocket by an Impact striker from eight yards out, then corralling the loose ball. Both sides were in awe.
Later in the second half, the Controllers’ Danielle Dunsmore sent a nifty pass to Deana Baker, who lofted a 25-yarder over Ellis for the go-ahead goal. But the Impact’s Jody Hawthorne replied with a well-placed shot underneath the bar with ten minutes later.
Phillips paces Outlaw offence
In Competitive Division action, Lori Phillips collected a goal and an assist as Little Tex Outlaws blanked Dr. Lee’s Dental/Checkers 2-0 Tuesday night at Marshall #3.
Phillips opened the scoring, assisted by Lyndsay Lee, and then set up Monica Neilson for the insurance marker, pushing Little Tex to 6-3-1.
Gineil Ferrier earned the shut out with many great saves, Stephanie Steward had great runs down the side, pushing the ball up-field with many great crosses, and Elaina Huisken had a great game on defensively, helping the Outlaws shut down repeated Dr. Lees attacks.
The Checkers crew is 6-3.
North Enderby Timber let their Celtic pride shine through, battling hard in a 3-1 loss to first-place TED United of Salmon Arm Tuesday on Marshall #4.
The 1-9 Celtics played their hearts out in the first half, taking a 1-0 lead into the break on a Lisa Knauf strike.
Knauf out-worked the defensive line, pressuring them endlessly to retrieve possession, leaving her an open shot on net.
“Knauf was Player of the Game by far. She was one of the hardest working players on the field,” said Celtic coach Graham Ross.
TED replied with three quick goals in the second half, taking full advantage of the few scoring chances they generated.
Taryn Lloyd was solid in the NET goal, shutting down many TED through balls. Tonia Ghattas controlled the midfield, physically dominating on every ball in her possession.
