Morning Star Staff
Vernon United Tolko U14 Boys marked Mother’s Day by shutting down the Kamloops U13A Blaze 4-0 Sunday in Thompson Okanagan Rep Soccer League action.
United took a while to get moving, but a free kick feed from Chris MacIntosh allowed striker Ian Oliphant, Will Denny and Ty Ogasawara to maintain possession with patience and control to set up MacIntosh for a snipe at 30 minutes.
Cole Johnson set up Vernon’s second goal six minutes into the second half with a strong free kick feed to forward Noah Podolski, who just missed. Denny, in the right place at the right time, picked up the ball from a scramble and buried it with ease. Johnson capitalized again on a 30-yard free kick, curling the ball top cheddar.
United’s attack was rounded out with a picture-perfect goal from yet another free kick pass, this time from Jaidyn Gordon-Mason, to Podolski, who one-timed the ball. Jared Jameson earned the shutout.
Vernon was missing four starters when they bowed to league-leading Penticton Pinnacles 4-0 Saturday.
The United U13 Boys sweated out a well-earned 1-0 victory over Kamloops Sunday.
Numerous chances and some intelligent play from Saajin Klair and Brodie Fraser kept the Kamloops defence backpedaling.
William Oordt-Bosman scored the winner in the second half. Aiden Skinner and Ben Morgan were stellar on the back line with the tandem of Liam Reid and Matt Reich sharing the clean sheet.
United U11B Boys team split a pair, grounding Revelstoke Avalanche 6-2 before falling 4-2 to Kamloops.
Justin Ruscheinsky and Fraser Christensen donned the goalie gloves in the win.
Parker Munroe opened the scoring in Game 1 and Devin Bilodeau buried two blasts before Jonah Violini connected on a corner which landed deep in the net.
Colby McManaman added insurance and the final goal came with a money shot from Cash Anderson.
Despite forward pressure by Hayden Murphy and Landon Janke, the boys lost to Kamloops.
Jonah Kiernan was in net with Bilodeau getting his third goal of the day with an assist from Danny McLennan. Marcus Erho, who after many close attempts, put it past the Kamloops keeper for the final United goal in the game.
The United U17/18 girls lost 1-0 to the Kamloops U18 Blaze Sunday. The PK goal came at 30 minutes.
Keeper Jordynne Tomiak, along with stellar defence by Lee Richardson, Tarah Smith, Vicki Geahn, Lydia Wood and Kendra Early, kept Kamloops scoring chances to a minimum.
United is in the Slurpee Cup this weekend with round-robin play against the Courtenay Riptide, Chilliwack Attack and Kamloops Blaze.
The United U13 Girls put on a show for their moms Sunday at MacDonald Park by stopping Penticton 2-0.
Emma Lockwood jumpstarted things in the 15th minute by dangling the Penticton fullback and surprising the keeper from 20 yards, finishing low, far post.
Alexis Gauvin-Nice did her Messi impression at center midfield, repeatedly dribbling past Pinnacle midfielders and playing through balls to the forwards. Callie Bertram and Emily Boden were solid on the flanks, creating width for the United attack and playing crosses through the middle.
Lanaya Bandy scored five minutes before the half on a sweet cross from Emily Boden. The United back line of Elizabeth Hirschkorn, Marika Ternan, Tianna Colvin and Rane Smith was flawless.
Coaches James Lockwood, Genvieve Nice and Brett Bandy are impressed with the United U13 Girls progression as a team.
The United U12 Girls lost 7-0 to Kelowna United before bouncing the Blaze 4-2 in Kamloops.
The girls played with tremendous heart but could not manage a goal versus Kelowna. Vernon’s best attempt came form Brooklyn Routley. After picking the pocket of a Kelowna defender at midfield, she raced down the left flank but the keeper made a nice save on a low shot.
Olivia Tymkiw was outstanding in goal against Kamloops, putting the Blaze under immediate pressure with her drop kicks falling well into the Blaze half.
Vernon’s first goal came from voracious hustle by Francesca Durfeld. Her through ball enabled Ava Wright to get a shot away that was parried into the danger area. The rebound was calmly slotted home by Nyla Wilford.
Wright was not done yet. After being fouled in the box, she showed skills beyond her years and converted form the penalty spot. Her next goal developed from a monstrous drop kick from Tymkiw. A defender miscue sent Wright in on a breakaway that she finished bottom right.
Vernon was under nearly constant pressure in the second half. Strong central defending came from Kassidy Schaper-Kotter and Shaina Jones. Keeper Sarah Boyd was splendid. Some high pressure left Kamloops open to the counter attack. After bright defending by Durfeld, her pass to Saskia Defoor was magically touched over to Wilford for a breakaway that she finished for Vernon’s final goal.
United Tolko U11 Girls Protow Whites lost 2-1 to Kamloops United Whites before shading the Shuswap Selects 3-2.
Kaitlyn Budgen and Lily Lee rallied early in front of the Kamloops net with Budgen getting two shots off. Brooklyn Kineshanko, Lee and Olivia Collins then enjoyed two more opportunities with Collins getting off another two shots. Kamloops led 1-0 at the recess.
With 10 minutes to play, Lee sprinted up the side and scored a beauty. After that, keeper Katrina Winstanley made a couple of dazzling saves, and Kendra Grant and Lauryn Eddy sparkled on defence as the game stayed close.
In Game 2, Vernon clicked at 22 minutes when the line of Nadia Nelson-Shah, Kaitlyn Budgen and Olivia Collins pressed upfield with some impressive passing, resulting in a lovely goal by Collins. Keeper Ava Proctor held off multiple shots.
Showing her flexibility, Collins took on the role of keeper in the second half. Shuswap equalized early in the half, but Jorja Catt snatched the lead back with a goal off a pass from Kaitlyn Budgen a few minutes later.
Catt added insurance 10 minutes later from a goalie kick. The Selects snuck in another goal, but Winstanley, Emma Glasser, and Kendra Grant put in a herculean effort on defence as the Protow crew won their first of the season.
The Vernon United Tolko U-11 Girls MSE Precase Blues, coached by Jason Sherwood, showed grit, determination and good sportsmanship in Sunday games, losing 4-0 to host Kelowna Red and drawing 3-3 with Kamloops Blue.
Madison Bergman set up the first goal against the Blues by sending in a beautiful corner to forward Kaiden Sherwood, who aimed it sweetly into the net. Georgia Wenger, assisted by Kendall McKinnon, levelled things at 2-2.
Kamloops surged ahead again, but the Blues answered as Sherwood set up Keira Dail for a great side shot. Sierra Lockhhead and Sophie Dennis were recognized by coach Sherwood for their superb contributions in the tie.
