Vernon United outlasted Tsawwassen 1-0 in extra time to secure bronze at the B.C. Under 14 Girls B Soccer Championships Sunday in Kelowna.
United showed up for the bronze-medal game relaxed, but ready to go. Neither team was able to solve the opposing defence, leaving it scoreless at the break. In the second half, Vernon appeared to score on a three-way passing play, but it was deemed offside.
Still scoreless after regulation, the teams began the first of two 10-minute overtime halves. Vernon’s hard work finally paid off when Reyhanna Akkurt slipped her check and crossed a ball for Cayleigh Graham to head home for the winner. The girls didn’t let the excitement affect their game, which allowed them to hang on for the win.
United keeper Jordynne Tomiak earned the shutout, allowing just two goals all tournament and distributing some nice drop kicks to push the play forward.
Kailyn Halvorson showed a lot of dedication to making the play and getting the ball through.
“The entire team showed up to play, brought their A-game and did whatever it took to make it happen,” said United coach Brett Bandy. “Well done and a big improvement on everyone’s skill. It was a very successful and fun season.”
United opened provincials Thursday with a 6-0 shellacking of Terrace.
It didn’t take long for Vernon to capitalize on a well-placed cross from Siena Nash for Akkurt to redirect past the helpless Terrace keeper. Akkurt wheeled past a couple defenders for her second tally, making it 2-0 at the break.
In the second half, Maddie Laranjo capitalized on a sloppy Terrace breakout to bury Vernon’s third goal. She added her second goal on an aggressive offensive push, putting the ball just over the keeper.
Graham, connecting on a beautiful header from the side of the net, Emilee Kronbauer, on a redirection, completed the onslaught.
“The whole team was hungry to start off with a win and their strong and flawless play let them do that with ease,” said Bandy.
On Friday, United bowed 1-0 to Powell River.
Both teams played it tight in the first half, which ended scoreless, but things started to open up a bit after the intermission. Powell River capitalized when the Vernon defenders were unable to clear a corner.
United’s Lydia Wood was a brick wall, showing great composure and finishing her checks. Maya Bandy broke up a lot of midfield pushes and won a lot of 50-50 balls.
Vernon advanced to the bronze-medal game with a 2-1 win over host Kelowna.
Both sides went back and forth in the early going, but Vernon struck first when Akkurt ran onto her own through ball and, firing from an outstretched position, beat the Kelowna keeper.
With United buzzing to start the second half, Laranjo battled to push a ball through for Akkurt to finish with a nice, low kick to make it 2-0.
Kronbauer placed one just over the net from a well-played header, and Kara Ross put on a ball control clinic, showing great work ethic. Kate Healy was a force on her side of the field, taking on all comers.
United boys bank U15 bronze
At the U15 Boys Rep Championships in Aldergrove, Vernon United claimed bronze with a 3-2 win over Victoria’s Prospect Lake Soccer Club.
United rushed out to a 3-0 lead by the 30-minute mark, however, Prospect Lake never gave up and cut into Vernon’s lead late in the half. Prospect Lake scored again early in the second half to make the game close.
Cole Woodliffe supplied two of Vernon’s goals, assists going to Bryce Dyck and Jorden Dewing. Zac Kronbauer, from Kody Glinsbockel and Matthew Kreutz, had the other marker.
Vernon started the eight-team tournament with a dominating 3-0 win over the north coast champion Terrace Kermodes Thursday afternoon.
Kreutz opened the scoring at the 21-minute mark, assists to Dyck and Shane Groeneveld. Just before half time, Woodliffe converted a Liam Ross pass to make it 2-0.
The United boys continued to press after the break, and had numerous scoring chances, including a bullet from Cameron Hitch that rang the crossbar. Ross, from Kreutz and Woodliffe, capped the scoring with five minutes to go.
Goaltender Cole Shoemaker was stellar in the shutout.
Friday afternoon, Vernon bowed 5-0 to the powerful Central City Breakers Elite team from Surrey.
Central City scored just five minutes in, which seemed to rattle United. At the 10-minute mark, the Breakers doubled the score on a Vernon own goal off a corner kick. They benefitted from a second own goal just six minutes after that.
The Vernon squad settled down and held its own, but Central City managed to put another two goals past Shoemaker.
Saturday didn’t go much better for United, who bowed 1-0 to the host Chilliwack Attack.
United, playing without defender Dewing and striker Michael Williamson, outplayed Chilliwack, but were unable to find the net.
Chilliwack capitalized on a penalty kick after an inadvertent Kreutz handball in the Vernon box.
Jeff Hiscoe played a strong game in the Vernon net.
This was United’s second straight B.C. berth. They are coached by Mike Melbourne and Terry Eddy, and managed by Gerry Strand. Other players include defenders Jason Reich, Isaiah Wenger and Chase Larsen; midfielders Brandon Melbourne and Ryan Killingsworth; and forward Michael Williamson.
