Vernon United have qualified for the B.C. Challenge Cup Under 15 Boys Rep Soccer Championships, July 7-9, in Aldergrove.
Mike Melbourne’s squad advanced with a pair of stunning 3-1 wins over the Penticton Pinnacles and Kelowna United in Thompson Okanagan League playoff action last weekend at Kings Park in Penticton.
Vernon finished fifth in league play at 1-6-1, while Kelowna was first a 5-2-1 and Penticton third at 4-3-1.
Vernon started with a dominating win over Penticton on Saturday afternoon. Zac Kronbauer, on a great passing play involving Ryan Killingsworth, Liam Ross and Michael Williamson, opened the scoring in the 25th minute.
United kept pressing and had numerous scoring chances, including a bullet from Cameron Hitch that rang off the crossbar. At 35 minutes, striker Cole Woodliffe scored on a well-placed header from a free kick cross by Matthew Kreutz to extend the lead to 2-0.
Early in the second half, Kreutz scored on a breakaway after receiving a great through ball from Hitch to take a three-goal lead. Keeper Cole Shoemaker lost his shutout with about 10 minutes left after some miscommunication on a Penticton free kick.
In the Sunday afternoon match, the Vernon boys once again controlled things, this time against league-leading Kelowna. Kronbauer, on a slick assist from defender Bryce Dyck, scored at eight minutes.
Kody Glinsbockel scored five minutes into the second half to double the Vernon advantage, and Williamson put the game out of reach with a great header from a Glinsbockel cross with just over five minutes to play.
Shoemaker, who made a number of great saves, lost his shutout in extra time after a free kick was awarded to Kelowna just outside the 18.
The back line of Jason Reich, Chase Larsen, Shayne Groeneveld, Jorden Dewing, Isaiah Wenger and Dyck played phenomenal all weekend, limiting scoring chances to a minimum.
Brandon Melbourne played some strong minutes in midfield for United, who are going to their second straight provincials.
U16 Boys tire in second half vs Shuswap
The Vernon U16 Boys bowed 4-1 to the Shuswap Selects in a Saturday semifinal match to see who would battle the first-place Kelowna United on Sunday.
With a depleted squad of just 11 players, Vernon came out strong and determined in the first half. Playing one of their best halves this season, a solid, team effort stymied the Shuswap attack and created fantastic chances for Vernon.
It was Vernon who connected first when Dylan Towns played a masterful ball through to Nathan Barendregt, who cut inside the 18-yard box, shaking off the Shuswap defenders and unleashing a fantastic shot for Vernon U16’s goal of the year.
Shortly after, Dylan Towns hit the crossbar on a great boot. However, in the second half it was advantage Shuswap as they greatly benefited from the six extra players on the bench.
Shuswap responded fiercely at the start of the second half and were rewarded with a penalty kick which they converted five minutes in.
United had plenty of fight left in them and quickly countered. They almost went ahead again when Atley O’Neill narrowly missed a prime opportunity at the back post. However, as Vernon legs began to tire, Shuswap gained momentum and scored three more times.
“I am very proud of how the team played today; they worked extremely hard for each other and played a very good first half,” said Vernon coach Claire Paterson. “The players showed a lot of character battling hard for the full game without any subs.”
U15 Girls earn provincial berth in Kelowna
John Hughes’ U15 Girls stopped Penticton Pinnacles 2-1 Saturday and lost 3-1 to Kelowna United on Sunday to earn the host berth in the B.C.’s, going in eighth. Kelowna will take the top Okanagan seed and go in fourth.
Vernon and Penticton went scoreless through an uneventful first half hampered by blustery winds. Things livened up early in the second half when a controversial penalty was converted by Penticton in the 48th minute.
Moments later, as the Peach City supporters enjoyed their prawn sandwiches, Vernon struck back when striker Dayce Knopf challenged the Pinnacles’ keeper. The resulting rebound bounced over the head of the keeper giving Knopf a open net to knock in the equalizer.
The game appeared to be heading to extra time when Vernon was awarded a free kick which resulted in winger Hannah Love being pushed into the Penticton net resulting in a penalty for a foul inside the box (a rare penalty for such an offence). Midfielder Tiegan Moore calmly converted to the keeper’s right.
Sunday’s fixture against Kelowna was for placing in the provincial tournament and a re-match of last Sunday’s game won by Vernon.
This was a different Kelowna side with something to prove as they took a 2-0 lead at the half. Vernon slowly showed energy in the second half and got rewarded when Love directed in a Moore cross, which briefly gave Vernon a lifeline before Kelowna finished them off with a quick response.
Vernon ended up second in league play at 3-1-4 behind Kelowna (4-1-3). Penticton finished third at 3-3-2.
U17 Girls make provincial grade
Carli Tingstsad’s United U17 Girls lost the second final leg of their two-game total-goal series, 2-0 to Penticton.
Vernon, who won the opener 1-0 Thursday, still qualifies for the provincials in Kelowna. The Pinnacles opened the scoring Sunday in the 20th minute. Vernon, who were without two key starters, missed a penalty kick 10 minutes later and also hit the post in the second half.
U14 Girls bound for BC finals
In U14 Girls play, Vernon shut down Penticton 1-0 Saturday and blanked Kelowna 2-0 Sunday to earn a provincial berth in Kelowna.
Brett Bandy’s girls came out hard right away and hemmed Penticton in their own end with a few good chances Saturday. Vernon’s defence was very stingy and the whole team played with high emotion.
Penticton came out far more composed in the second half which made for a lot of back and forth play.
Cayleigh Graham finally put Vernon on the board with an impressive display of ball control getting around two defenders to put it up and over the keeper. Vernon finished with confidence and didn’t let off the gas.
Victoria Grahn changed positions and was steady doing so, also contributing with some good through balls and a few well-placed shots. Kate Healy showed exceptional effort, was first to the ball, and held the line with authority.
“We had a great work ethic from the start, lots of energy and showed great composure for such and important game,” said. “Well done girls.”
On Sunday, Vernon applied immediate pressure giving each other good support, staying on top of their checks and winning lots of 50-50 balls.
The half finished scoreless with both teams showing a ton of emotion and desire.
Kailyn Halvorson chased down a through ball and then delivered a very controlled cross, running at full speed, to Reyhanna Akkurt, who deflected the ball while in mid flight just as the keeper tried to grab the shot.
Shortly after, Taylor Vandale scored off a mix up in front of the net with a powerful one-timer out of the air.
The whole team turned in a great show of skills and everyone gave a second effort. Jordynne Tomiak raised the bar to keep Kelowna off the board and finished the regular-season with a staggering eight shutouts.
Said Bandy: “I can’t say enough about the chemistry the girls have; we are definitely rolling. What an enjoyable season.”
Vernon placed second in the Thompson Okanagan circuit at 6-2. Kelowna was first at 8-0 with Penticton third a 3-4-1.
The U13 Girls, coached by Michelle Hughes, lost 4-3 to Kelowna in a good, hard-fought semifinal match which could have gone either way.
Vernon was third in the final league standings at 5-3 behind Penticton (7-0-1) and Kelowna (6-2).
