Morning Star Staff
It was a showdown between teams used to winning Tuesday night at Marshall Field #5.
The Longhorn/Gray Monk Impact, who went undefeated last season, played unbeaten Dr. Lee Dental/Squires Four Pub tough until the 70th minute, falling 1-0 in North Okanagan Women’s Soccer Association Masters Division action.
After a scoreless first half, Jacquie Hansen tapped in an Irene Arrotta corner for the winner. Dr. Lee went to 16-0-1, while Longhorn dipped to 10-3-3.
Hansen earlier had several chances, hitting a post and drawing a hand ball in the penalty area. Arrotta sent the PK over the net.
The Impact mounted several attacks in the second half but Lisa Arrotta made several saves to earn the shutout. Boston Pizza Lady of the match Marisa Wiebe was stellar in the midfield for the pub crew.
“We left a small hole in defence to let a header get into the net, other than that the Impact played awesome,” said Impact veteran star defender Suzie Andrews.
“We got unbelievable support from our defence, including Stacey Cover, Lisa Boer and Vel Beaumont, stymied their offence over and over again, catching them offside numerous times.”
The fourth-place Longhorn enjoyed a few chances up front, with Myra McEwan making some lovely crosses into the box for Bree Pickett.
In other action, the Chick Kickers grounded Seasons in the Okanagan Sistas 7-2 at Marshall Field #1.
Michelle Johnson started things off for the second-place Chicks with a splendid blast against the wind from distance over keeper Wendy Nadeau’s outstretched arms.
Diane Neudorf set up newbie Genevieve Nice for the Sistas’ equalizer in the opening half.
The Chicks took over after that with three unanswered goals from Mel Jacobs, Jenny Garnet and Jenn Kemper.
Neudorf then riverdanced through a few defenders and buried a sweet snipe to make it 4-2 later in the half.
Newcomer Rosey Anderson added to the Chicks lead, picking up a loose ball 20 yards out and depositing a great shot to the far corner. Jacobs completed her fourth hat trick of the season with two more snipes late in the game.
The Vernon Controllers brushed off the Shuswap Kaos 3-1 at the Salmon Arm Savings Credit Union Park.
At 10 minutes, Michelle Wernicke put a move on a defender and fooled Kaos keeper Jan Crear with a 20-yarder.
Just before the half, (Lean) Lena Dean headed Wernicke’s corner down on to the foot of Felicia O’Gorman for the 2-0 tap in, giving Crear no chance.
Early in the second half, Mandy Frederick’s corner found Dean in front and she buried it from close range. Keeper Mickey Templeton stopped a penalty shot, but Kaos Mandy Babakaiff stripped a defender of the ball and put it away.
The Controllers got a stellar team effort and an outstanding performance by newcomer and Sharp Landscaping Lady of the Match Dean.
Versatile player Leslie Epp, who went in for knee surgery Wednesday, remarked: “That is the best display of passing I have seen on our team, ever.”
In Division 1 play, the North Enderby Celtics shaded the Little Tex Outlaws 2-1 at Marshall Field #2.
Kyra Lee of the 1-8-4 Outlaws opened the scoring near the 20th minute with a looping, wind-aided shot past all-star Celtic keeper Charmaine Biagoni.
The 3-6-5 Celtics were able to control the play in the gusty conditions and keep Outlaw keeper Eileen Fox on her toes. Fox made several clutch stops.
Shortly before half time, a Celtic was fouled in the box, allowing Samantha Adam to convert on a world-class penalty shot off the side netting.
Chances went back and forth in the second half until 75 minutes when veteran Jen Sigmueller made a charge up the centre of the park to find a streaking Madison Demers, who ever so calmly slotted the ball in the net.
