The Turn-Key Controls have dialed up a berth in tonight’s North Okanagan Soccer League semifinals thanks a 1-0 win over the Hi-Pro Sportswear Camels Sunday at Marshall Field #2.
After losing the season series to the Camels, Turn-Key came out firing, generating a handful of chances in the game’s opening 15 minutes. After celebrating Nathan Tucker’s wedding Friday at Hotel Eldorado, the Controls crew came out determined to win one for their honeymooning teammate.
Humpback netminder Ryan Campbell got just enough of a Taylor Horsting shot early on, directing it wide of goal after Evan Moore sprung him behind the Camels’ defence.
A passing sequence between Moore, Andrew Pool and Horsting led to the game’s only goal, a tap-in by Liam Eddy.
Turn-Key nearly extended its lead before halftime when Pool beat multiple defenders and Campbell, only to have the shot bounce off the right post.
The second half saw the Camels play with a little more purpose, but they were unable to solve the Turn-Key defence, led by Carson Haywood-Farmer and Nolan’s Pharmasave Man of the Match Sam Nolan. They were supported by outside defenders Kyle Goodgrove, Bryce Paterson and birthday boy Sean Bonnett.
Victor Gouchee earned the clean sheet for Turn-Key, making the Total Restoration Save of the Game on some great second-half corner grabs. Gregg Douma hit the woodwork after taking a feed from Mike Bennett.
“We felt like we played much better than our record in the series with them (1-0 and 2-1 losses),” said Horsting.
“Their goaltender (Campbell) did a great job in all three games and we were just happy to win the one that counted in a great trio of games between the two even squads.”
The Controls will face top-seeded Salmon Arm Courvas tonight (6:00) in the Shuswap.
North Enderby Timber will battle the Revelstoke Stallions in the other semi at Marshall #3.
The league final goes Sunday night (6:00) at MacDonald Park.
NET shut down Monashee Surveying 4-0 in a highly physical quarterfinal tilt Sunday at Marshall #4.
Monashee was warmed up from their 2-1 qualifier win over the Salmon Arm Outlaws Saturday night, and came out firing. They dominated the first half, owning most of the possession with their physical play.
Scoreless at the half, the Timber calmed down and opened the scoring shortly after the break. Rookie Greg Poggemoeller ripped up the wing, only to be taken down on a cleats-up slide tackle inside the penalty area. Libra Video Man of the Match Graham Ross hammered home the penalty.
Ross continued his stellar play, and after fighting off a Monashee defender, the midfielder placed a perfect through ball over the defence to a streaking Brent Poulsen, who calmly beat the keeper far side.
Alex Farina then sent in Evan Frederick all alone. Frederick had all night to beat the keeper as the Monashee defence stood watching, thinking it was an offside.
Poulsen capped of the scoring in the final minutes on a cross from Frederick, who was sent down the wing by Sam Watson.
Danny Stein earned the shutout, clearing countless Monashee crosses and making saves as needed. Tyler Loose and Dexter James brought their physical games to battle the Surveyors for numerous 50/50 balls.
In NOSL qualifier play Saturday night, Peters Tirecraft/Concept Physio fell 5-2 to Riot FC at Marshall #4.
Tirecraft opened the scoring when Riley Strothers converted a cross from Andrew Vanderham.
Riot ran away with it after that, scoring five unanswered goals.
Strothers collected his second of the night on a pass across the crease from Justin Mitchell.
Salmon Arm Courvas then took a forfeit win over Riot on Sunday, as Riot was unable to field a team in the Shuswap.
In the other Sunday quarterfinal, the Revelstoke Stallions upset host Eagle Homes Nation of Domination 2-1 Sunday in Salmon Arm after the Roots and Blues Festival got the best of NOD that afternoon.
