Nico Kahl scored twice with James Fraser and Charles Park rounding out the Tim Hortons Pinnacles offence in a 4-1 win over the Mid Isle Mariners.
Saturday’s victory at Kings Park improved the Pinnacles to a win and a loss in the Pacific Coast Soccer League.
“It’s a big win. It’s a very young team,” said Pinnacles interim coach Manuel Borba. “Confidence is very important. Winning always gives you that confidence that you can play at this level. The boys believe they can not only play, but that they can win. It was a huge win for us.”
Helping the Pinnacles be strong up the middle was the addition of Nelson native Andre Peres, who worked with Fraser and Bjorn Borren. The Pinnacles picked Perz up following last weekend’s Pacific Brewing May Classic tournament. Borba said Perz is a very good player who spent a year in Europe. The Pinnacles also received strong play from David Boehmer and Jordell Afonso as centre backs.
While the Pinnacles are young, Borba said the group will keep improving, and offensively he believes they will be OK.
“I think we’re a very skilled team. We can play,” he said.
The weakness he has identified is on defence, but with more concentration on that area, Borba knows they will be fine.
“Once we have the ball we’re as good as anybody,” he added.
As for Kahl, who also plays on Borba’s U18 Pinnacles FC squad, he has experienced some struggles but Borba watched him turn his play around.
“He’s a very quick, good striker and … sometimes players, they need to be challenged. He’s being challenged against men, all of a sudden he stepped up his game and showed he can play university soccer.”
Another player who impressed Borba was 16-year-old James Hill, who played right defence and showed well.
“Sometimes these young players stepping up makes them play a different game,” explained Borba. “A simple game and they really improved really quick. You can see them growing into the game.”
The Pinnacles are not in action this weekend, but return for PCSL play on June 9 at the Khalsa Sporting Club at Kings Park at 6 p.m.
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