The Vernon Tolko United brushed back the Kamloops Blaze 2-1 in Thompson Okanagan U14 Girls Rep Soccer League play Sunday at McArthur Island Sports Centre.
Danica Ariano scored for Vernon from just outside the 18-yard line in the first half.
Kamloops levelled the score just before the end of the first half. Makena Kersey had a nice left-footed shot just miss the net in second half.
Emily Thomas had a good battle with Kamloops defender to win a breakaway and register the winner.
The United U11B boys team shut down Kelowna United 2-0 and dispatched Shuswap 7-0 Sunday in Revelstoke.
Justin Ruscheinsky and Fraser Christensen sharing the shutout in Game 1. Newbie Declan Hardy blasted a shot past the Kelowna keeper in the early minutes.
Supported by the hustle of Hayden Murphy, Marcus Erho and Devin Bilodeau, the Tolko crew pressured hard all game. Jonah Violini drilled the ball from midfield to waiting teammate Danny McLennan, who won the battle and supplied the insurance.
Vernon was also unstoppable in the afternoon against the Shuswap team with Jonah Kiernan in net fronted by the strong defense of Qui Parker and Roan Reid.
The triple ‘D’ front line connected with a laser pass from new teammate Daxton Podollan to Hardy, who followed it through to McLennan for the goal.
Parker Munroe scored twice and Hardy racked his second goal of the day. McLennan scored another and then picked up a rebound from Alex Kazimer’s bullet shot for the hattie. McLennan added a late fourth snipe.
Vernon U14 boys bowed 3-2 to Revelstoke Avalanche in Saturday action and then blanked Kamloops U14 B’s 3-0.
United dominated most of the game versus Revelstoke with Lee Christiansen converting early with a 30-yard corker from the left flank. Ian Oliphant recorded some great saves despite significant body checks by Revelstoke, one bodycheck causing him to drop the ball with the Avs scoring off the loose ball.
A penalty in the box rebounded off the Revelstoke keeper twice before Jacob Bancroft buried the rebound. Michael Lapp enjoyed off a number of good chances to pad Vernon’s lead, but Revelstoke manufactured two goals.
In Game 2, Gerrit Van Soest, Jaidyn Gordon-Mason, Chris Mackintosh and Cole Johnson worked together on the right flank to create multiple opportunities.
Christiansen registered two early goals, while Ty Ogasawara made a great cross which was headed in by Kristian Newell.
The Tolko U12B Team #2 fell 6-1 to Kelowna B Sunday in Kamloops.
Michael Hoyland unleashed a strong corner resulting in Josh Vuong tapping in the goal. Keeper Matthew Tambellini was kept busy and performed some amazing saves.
United bowed 3-2 to the Penticton Pinnacles in the afternoon game.
The Pinnacles opened the offence, but Hoyland quickly answered for Vernon. Keeper Diego Glanz anchored a strong backline. Owen Davis connected on a swift rebound for the second United goal.
The U11 boys blue gained a split against two tough Kelowna teams in Revelstoke, losing 4-2 and winning 3-2.
Vernon gained the majority of possession in their impressive victory. New recuits Cash Anderson, Landon Janke and Colby McManaman turned in bold showings.
Fantastic goalkeeping by Ben Straight kept the game at 1-1 well into the second half. Goals came from two wicked blasts from midfielders Alex Jones and Marcus Peterson.
Liam Leibel, Liam Collins and Jared Eddy ruled the back line. Speed and tenacity from Cameron Acob and Aiden Winn resulted in many turnovers.
Goal scorers in the win were Janke, with two strikes, and McManaman, with a long volley. Beautiful ball movement came from Leibel and Anderson. Straight and Collins shared the goalkeeping.
