The Vernon Tolko United passed a big test on a warm Sunday at Marshall Field, defeating league-leading Kelowna United 2-0 in Thompson Okanagan Under 13 Rep Girls Soccer League play.
The Vernon Girls started slow, but came alive 15 minutes in and repeatedly pressured the Kelowna defence. Vernon was rewarded on a great individual effort from Emma Lockwood at 20 minutes. Lockwood dangled a centre back and an adventurous keeper before finishing from an impossible angle one yard off the touch line.
Defenders Rane Smith, Tianna Colvin, Elizabeth Hirschkorn and Marika Ternan came out determined in the second half and shut down the Kelowna attack, allowing only one shot on goal that was saved by outside defender Keira Korber.
Vernon midfielders Ann Cherkowski, Alexa Gauvin-Nice and Ava McLennan controlled the play in the second half and Ann Cherkowski played a beauty through ball that split the center backs for Lockwood, who calmly finished low right corner.
Lanaya Bandy played forward with intensity the entire game and just missed on two shots.
Coaches Brett Bandy, James Lockwood and Genevieve Nice feel the U13 girls have the potential to win the league title.
Vernon and Kelowna United battled to a scoreless draw in U15 girls play Sunday as the teams sized one another up before Provincial Cup qualifiers in three weeks.
“I think a draw was a just result as both teams played a fast-paced, tightly-marked, aggressive game,” said Vernon head coach Al Gee.
Both teams created quality scoring chances with the keepers making a number of excellent saves.
Gee was particularly impressed with his back line.
“We have been solid defensively all season – Maddy Smith and Lailah Akkurt are mastering their center back positions, winning critical challenges but also showing patience when they need to.”
Gee also gave props to keeper Shauna Bradley, who has steadily improved over the last four years .
“Her angles, decision making and bravery were first-class today,” said Gee.
Vernon stopped Penticton Pinnacles 2-0 in U13 boys play Sunday afternoon.
United enjoyed ample chances in the first half, only to be thwarted by a very skilled keeper.
Eventually Kobe Grant potted a well struck penalty kick to give Vernon team the lead. With less than a minute left in the half, Saajin Klair made it 2-0.
Penticton came out with a great surge in the second half, but Liam Reid had a fantastic game in net to earn the shutout. Player of the game was Ben Imrich.
Tolko U14 Boys split a doubleheader, icing Kelowna 1-0 Saturday and falling 4-0 to the Kamloops Blaze Sunday.
Cole Johnson converted on a 20-yard free kick in the 18th minute in the victory. Lee Christensen had several scoring attempts, striking one post. Ian Oliphant recorded the clean sheet.
Vernon U16/17 boys lost 5-0 to first-place Penticton U18.
United has suffered multiple injuries and managed to kick off with 11 players, but it was not an easy game as Penticton plays the best and most beautiful soccer in the Thompson Okanagan.
Goalkeeper David Weir recorded a couple of brilliant saves and was Vernon’s man of the match.
The United U11B boys team played valiant versus the top Kelowna teams, falling 6-2 and 4-3.
Game 1 had Danny McLennan scoring both United goals. The front line of Parker Munroe, Marcus Erho and Justin Rusheinsky put forth strong offensive pressure with several solid shots denied by the Kelowna keeper.
Jonah Kiernan donned the gloves for the game, fronted by Roan Ried, Alex Kazimer and Qui Parker with long stretches of organized defensive play.
McLennan scored a pair with Jonah Violini also sniping one past the keeper in Game 2.
Fraser Christensen and Kiernan shared the gloves with the front line of Daxton Podollan, Declan Hardy and Hayden Murphy challenging Kelowna into defensive mode for most of the game.
The Tolko U11 Girls MSE Precast Blues grounded the Kelowna United Blacks 2-0.
The Blues came out flying with multiple shots on goal from Olivia Collins, Kendra Grant and Kaiden Sherwood.
The persitence finally paid off midway through the half with Camryn Beacom’s stunning goal off of a nice pass from Mia Hyer. Beacom, Hyer and Nadia Nelson-Shah had a few other excellent attempts.
Just minutes before the final whistle, Sarah Claeys connected with the help of superb passing by Collins and Beacom. Jordyn Kisilevich posted the shutout.
Tolko U11 Girls Protow Whites fell 5-2 to the Kelowna United Whites and lost 5-0 to the Kelowna Maroons.
Sophie Dennis converted with skillful passes from Kaitlyn Budgen and Madison Bergman, and Brooklyn Kineshanko, from Kiera Dail, in the first loss.
