Vernon VQA pretty much looked to Harmony Crockett and Carla Gibson for all their clutch plays Tuesday night at Marshall Field #2.
Gibson scored twice on feeds by Crockett, while Crockett converted one pass from Gibson as VQA dispatched the Courtesy Motors Sistas 5-2 in North Okanagan Women’s Soccer Association Masters Division play.
Crockett, who had her folks minding her newborn son on the sidelines, jumpstarted the attack early after a fabulous feed by Gibson.
Andy Zubot of Sistas fed a hard pass up centre to a streaking Diane Neudorf, who took her time on a 40-yard breakaway before beating Bobbi Jo Gordon with a low corker to level things at 1-1.
Liz Peterson sent the ball up the right side to Neudorf, who turned and lofted the ball over Gordon’s head for a 2-1 first-half Sistas lead.
Courtesy Motors, who had no subs, never surrendered but tired in the second half.
Jenn Hatten equalized on a great shot from the outside, while Crockett’s long cross from the flank was fumbled by Courtesy keeper Wendy Nadeau and Gibson was there to pop it in.
VQA went up 4-2 when Gibson connected on a scramble after another cross by Crockett.
Carly Bibby finished the offence with a loft up and over Nadeau’s bald head (due to a cancer fundraising project).
The athletic Gordon was stellar in net, a position she volunteered to try this year, while Cheryl Roddis picked up the slack on the back four with her major wheels.
Courtesy’s Most Sportsmanlike Player for her tireless work and great set-ups was Jodi Bremner.
Shuswap Kaos turned back Longhorn/Gray Monk Impact 3-1 in Salmon Arm.
The Impact enjoyed serious ball control and their passing was outstanding, especially in the middle of the park with Felicia O’Gorman and Lori Philips.
Suzie Andrews, Christine Fraser and Vel Beaumont controlled the back line seamlessly with the Kaos striking twice off corners that keeper Derri Berube had no chance to stop.
Fraser took initiative and drilled a 30-yard free kick onto the head of Edeen Ramsey, who drove it in past the keeper, for the Impact snipe.
The Impact enjoyed numerous chances to score but lacked finish.
In other Masters play, Squires Pub Four/Dr. Lee lost 2-0 to TED United in Salmon Arm.
United came out hard and scored within the first 15 minutes, adding insurance just before the half on a solo effort by their striker.
Dr. Lee’s regrouped in the second half got great hustle from both the defensive and half lines. Tori Feser unleashed a rocket that keeper Cathy Bartsch tipped over the crossbar in the dying minutes.
Jennie Currie was the Sportswoman of the Match for Squires, playing several positions.
The Shuswap Merlot won 1-0 in a close match against Rosters at Salmon Arm Savings and Credit Union field.
In Division 1 play, the Infonews.ca Newshounds grounded the Kicksters 2-0 at Marshall #1.
Kira Lee swiped a ball off a defender and scored in the 55th minute for the winner. Mary Bennett added insurance at 75 minutes when she slid into open space and finished a nifty feed by Tessa Coulthard.
Bennett, who plays university soccer for the St, Mary’s Huskies in Halifax, was named the Dairy Queen Lady of the Match for the Hounds at central fullback. Eileen Fox posted the clean sheet.
The AF Blazers played their best game of the season as they bounced the Ball Blasters 6-2.
Ally Makasoff and Lynnejah Rojas each bagged deuces, while Carissa Stanek and Shantell Hayhurst supplied singles.
Player of the Game went to guest goalie and former Blazer Katie Hatten, with several awesome saves.
