Rain and cold seemed to spark the Okanagan Seasons Sista’s Tuesday night as they upset the Shuswap Merlot 2-1 in North Okanagan Women’s Soccer Association Masters Division play at Marshall Field #5.
Both teams battled back and forth with precision passing, great positional play and plenty of goal scoring opportunities.
The 2-10-1 Sista’s started the first half with a new game plan inspired by co-coach Shawn Wiebe, confusing for the first few minutes until they quickly caught on and were an offensive threat, dominating most of the play.
Leslie Williams made a great short pass to Kim Sylvester outside the 18 and Sylvester made another short pass to Andrea Zubot, who blasted a hard low drive at the Merlot keeper who could not handle the skipping ball.
Later in the half, Sylvester made a rush along the back line deking towards the net and fed a nice low pass to charging Andrea Zubot from the top of the 18 and Zubot buried a one-timer.
Injury struck recently acquired Michelle Niles, who was playing outstanding outside defender, in the first half and forced the Sista’s to make adjustments with no subs.
Injured players Pam Zalcik and Coco Fair shared goalkeeper duties and Zalcik filled in on the back line for Niles.
With the 6-6-2 Merlot pressing hard, Giselle Duquette, Sherry Wiebe, Keri Storey and Lisa Geary stepped it up a notch defensively saving the day several times in the second half. Fair made dramatic saves a few times late in the game but could not stop an own goal by Wiebe trying to clear the ball out of trouble.
The Vernon Square Liquor Store NOU and Setter’s Pub of Salmon Arm battled to a scoreless draw at Marshall Field #3.
NOU enjoyed lots of attacks from Sarah Kwantes and Mel Jacobs while going to 5-7-2. Speedy striker (Lean) Lena Dean was called offside a few times.
Kwantes and Dar Wiese shared the shutout for NOU, who received a strong effort from outside defenders Tania Willett and Shelly Johnston.
The centre was well run by calendar girl Karen Benn and Pat Neilson, while stellar centre half support was turned in by Teresa Collins and Carla Gibson.
Outside midfielder Char McNaught brought balls to the ground continuously after trapping, controlling and holding the ball to create perfect passes up the sides to the waiting Dean, Jacobs and Wendy Stevens. Second-place Setter’s went to 9-1-4.
The Vernon Controllers moved to within one point of second place by ambushing the last-place Shuswap Kaos 6-0 at Marshall #1.
Jenny Currie and Jacquie Nuyens weaved their magic, leaving Nuyens with a tap-in for the first goal. Jody Pope, after watching the FIFA Women’s World Cup final shootout in Germany two days prior, was called upon for a penalty shot. Pope calmly drove it off the bar and in, for a 2-0 lead.
Emma Louis, with a 30 yarder off the far post, a Danielle Dunsmore 15-yard chip to the top corner, and Dunsmore again, finishing a Corinne McWhinney corner, had the Controllers up by five at the half.
Early in the second, Nuyens sent a 30-yard cross to Krista Copeland, who settled it and sent a well-placed shot past the Kaos keeper from 10 yards out. Normally a defensive midfielder, Copeland showed her offensive prowess while playing a strong game throughout, earning the La Senza Player of the Match.
Deanna Baker, Currie, and Dunsmore shared the goalkeeping, while the Controllers (9-3-2) got quality defending from Brandi Hunter, Val Percy, Pope, Baker, and Louis. Michelle Mercer and Michele Wernicke were rock solid at midfield.
The first-place Chick Kickers showed no mercy on Monashee’s Pub in a 7-0 victory at Marshall #2.
The Chicks (11-2-1) welcomed the return of two injured veteran players – Bonnie Mann and Monica Howlbowski – who played as if they were in full-season form. Dawn Tucker had a dominant night in earning the shutout.
Colline Johnson was the Vernon Lodge Player of the Match as she set up five goals with Corrie Bauml lending a great helping foot.
Jen Sorochuk and Tania Sladen scored twice each, while singles came from Wendy Martens, Jenny Garnett and Shauna Stenquist. Monashee’s dipped to 3-8-2.
“The Chicks are enjoying a quality season with great team play and fellow player confidence in contribution to many different goal scorers,” said coach Mike Johnson.
The North Enderby Timber Celtics grounded the AF Blazers 4-1 in Competitive Division action Tuesday night at Marshall #4.
The Celtics, who won their second game of the season, got a great goal from captain Debbie Henderson midway through the first half. Henderson snuck up the left side, unmarked, leaving her wide open when the Blazers attempted to clear the ball. She chipped keeper Eileen Peliccia from 25 yards out with her left foot.
“Debbie’s undying commitment paid off on Tuesday with a great goal, which boosted our team to the next level,” said coach Graham Ross.
The Celtics’ second goal came from Jackie Morneau after Sam Adam found an open Morneau, who calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner with her left foot.
The Blazers were relentless, playing several through balls only to get shut down by Celtic keeper Taryn Lloyd. The Blazers converted on a great play with Krista Ference taking a breakaway feed from Natalie Forster and sneaking around Lloyd to find the empty net.
Adam had another assist when she found newcomer Kimmie Waneck, who hammered a great shot by Peliccia, who had no chance. Waneck then scored her second goal on as many shots.
The Celtics’ defence was stellar with Carly Smith putting on a slide tackling seminar in just her second stint on the back line.
“It’s hard to pick a player of the game when everyone plays so well, but Taryn Lloyd has to get the nod, showing great tenacity while challenging the Blazers forwards.”
The host TED United of Salmon Arm brushed back Dr. Lee Dental/Checkers 3-2 in a hard-fought contest.
Down 1-0 in the first five minutes, Irene Arrotta equalized for Checkers on a great feed from Andi King.
Maddie Kaneda then fed Kirsten Dodds, who made it 2-1 for the Pub Crew at the half. Salmon Arm scored two goals in the final 10 minutes, improving to 8-2-2. Checkers is 7-4.
