Morning Star Staff
Vernon Hi-Pro Sportswear Camels FC brushed back Turn-Key Controls 2-1 in thrilling North Okanagan Soccer League play Wednesday night at Marshall Field #4.
Turn-Key (9-6-1) came firing off the blocks in the opening minutes, enjoying a lot of possession but failing to produce any significant effort on goal.
The Camels (9-5-2) then began matching with the pace of the match and battled hard to regain some composure. Both sides moved the ball quickly with Turn-Key having a slight edge as the half wore on.
Keenan Jespersen was deemed to have fouled Turn-Key’s Nathan Tucker in the box and Nolan’s Pharmasave Man of the Match Evan Moore calmly converted off the right post and past keeper Ryan Campbell.
The Humpbacks levelled the score early in the second half when Fabrice Fanfani received the ball inside the 18 after neat passing moves between Trevor Rachwalski, Mo Singogo, and Enzo Paal. Fanfani’s shot clipped a defender’s heel and soared into the corner.
Hi-Pro maintained their edge with good chances coming from Nathan Whitling, Paal, Bryn Knauf and Ben Osborn. The break came when the ball squirted loose at the edge of the box with Lincoln Lanes stalwart Rachwalski being quick to react and poaching the goal past onrushing keeper Victor Gouchee.
With 15 minutes to go, Turn-key put on some pressure, but were stopped by an outstanding Camels’ back four of Jespersen, Keefery Joyce, Nick Pantaleo and Khiran O’Neill, and Checkers Man of the Match, Campbell.
Turn-Key were denied a late penalty call and Singogo shanked on a clear breakaway to end the entertaining tilt before scores of spectators.
The NOSL showdown saw Courvas of Salmon Arm dispatch North Enderby Timber 4-2 at Marshall #4.
Brent Poulsen and Evan Frederick scored for the second-place Timber (10-4-1), both set up on solid runs from defender Tyler Loose.
Teenage sensation Greg Poggemoeller had another stellar game on the back line, challenging every ball while playing beyond his years and being a true leader on the field. He earned the Home Depot Man of the Match.
“The game didn’t have much flow as everybody and their dogs got a talking to from the referee,” said Poulsen.
Courvas improved to 14-1 atop the 10-team loop.
Concept Physio/Peters Tirecraft shaded the Salmon Arm Outlaws 3-2 at Salmon Arm Savings & Credit Union Park.
Dean Buse was the Okanagan Training Rink Man of the Match for Tirecraft with two goals and an assist on Mo Haliru’s goal.
Buse netted his first on a penalty kick after being brought down in the box by an Outlaw defender. He split the defenders with a precision pass to Mo for the second goal and converted on a sublime pass from keeper Riley Spraggs, who sent Buse in all alone on a 50-yard pass from a spot kick just outside the Tirecraft box.
Tirecraft improved to 3-10-2, while the Outlaws fell to 0-15.
Salmon Arm Nation of Domination Eagle Homes stuffed visiting Monashee Surveying FC 4-1 to remain tied for third place with the Camels.
Play was hot and even early with both teams missing chances. Monashee opened the scoring just before the half with Okanagan Spirits Man of the Match Devon Marriott stoking a 30-yarder.
Shortly into the final half, NOD scored on a sweet header and then added three more to beat Monashee for the second time this season.
There are two weeks of play left until the playoffs start Saturday, Aug. 17. The final goes Sunday, Aug. 25.
