The Vernon Controllers warmed up for the upcoming World Masters Games in Italy by grounding the Shuswap Kaos 4-1 in North Okanagan Women’s Soccer Association play Thursday night at Marshall Field #1.
Midfielder Sena Bishop got the Controllers’ offence rolling by streaking in to hammer one home from in close after Krista Backer and Felicia O’Gorman did all the work.
Kaos answered right back with a high goal-line cross to the far post, followed by a one-time volley for the prettiest goal of the night.
The Controllers’ Amy Shupe settled a 30-yard cross from Emma Louie on the sideline and neatly deposited it behind the Kaos keeper for a 2-1 lead at the half.
Early in the second half, Jenny Currie set up O’Gorman in tight and she managed to jam it by the keeper.
Midfielder Michele Wernicke buried a 25-yard corker to close the scoring in a game that was never really close.
Leslie Epp was confident filling in for regular keeper Mickey Templeton, who was busy getting a manicure in preparation for the World Masters.
Coach Doug MacDonald said inspired play by Backer and Michelle Mercer, working hard right from the opening whistle, lifted the rest of the team as the girls passed the ball well, earning applause from the sidelines a number of times.
The Controllers improved to 8-8-1, while the Kaos dipped to 4-9-1.
North Okanagan United, who are also heading to Italy, had an injury-riddled 11-lady roster as they fell 3-0 to Setters Pub Thursday night in Salmon Arm.
First-time keeper (Lean) Lena Dean stopped several shots in between chatting up the back line of Pat Neilson, Shelly Johnston and Penney Crebo-Dolman.
Karen Semph tried net for the second half for the first time ever and aggressively tried to catch the ball like a slo-pitch catcher.
Tania Willett was solid in the NOU middle, while ailing Cheryl Roddis provided some good crosses.
Teresa Collins was formidable at centre mid and Pam Powell was on fire with her fancy pre-Italian footwork.
Carla Gibson was a sentinel keeping her side of the midfield free and providing many attacks toward the Setters’ net.
NOU finished their Vernon season at 5-6-6, while Setters went to 8-4-3.
In Masters play Friday night, the shorthanded Vernon Chick Kickers outgunned Seasons in the Okanagan Sistas 7-1 at Marshall #2.
Starting with nine players, the 8-3-4 Chicks got onboard as Michelle Johnson converted a wonderful through ball from Jen Garnett. When their 10th player showed up, the Kickers started to play some good controlled soccer and never looked back.
Melissa Jacobs continued her string of fine play by scoring a hat trick, one off a beautiful cross from Colline Johnson where Jacobs jumped up and side-footed the ball past a startled Wendy Nadeau.
Garnett made easy work of a great cross from hard-working winger Tania Sladen, who then added two of her own.
The Seasons crew is 1-13-1
In a rare Friday night Division 1 tilt, Dr. Lee’s Dental kept their win streak going with a 3-2 decision over NET Celtics at Marshall #4.
Delina Erbenich opened the 11-2-1 floss crew’s account on a beautiful pass from Jenessa Moore in the first half.
Irene Arrotta chipped a free kick from 25 yards out to a streaking Erbenich, who deked past the keeper to make it 2-0 at half.
Paige Doherty scored to bring the 7-5-2 Celtics within a goal. NET equalized on a scramble in the Dr. Lee 18, with Jennifer Russell putting one past keeper Lisa Arrotta.
Erbenich completed the hat trick as she ran onto another well-placed chip by Irene Arrotta.
