Jenny Garnett turned the hat trick as the Chick Kickers blanked North Okanagan United 3-0 in women’s Masters Division soccer action Tuesday night on Marshall Field #1.
Garnett opening the scoring in the North Okanagan Women’s Soccer Association tilt when Tania Sladen lobbed a kick over the NOU keeper, leaving Garnett an easy tap-in.
Later in the first half, Garnett capitalized on a cross by Trish Cox into the 18. She completed the trick on a second-half solo effort, turning the ball over and chipping it over the keeper.
Wendy Martens and Wendy Magnus had superb games at central defence to help Charlene Johnson post the shutout.
Impact ground Drillers
Longhorn Impact bounced Goplen Drillers 6-2 Tuesday night on Marshall #2.
Tina Garrison sparked the Impact offence with a beautiful cracker. Aggressive defence and consistent passing led to the Longhorn’s second goal by Edeen Ramsay.
Goplen earned one back on a quick rush through the middle, however, just before the halftime, Dawn Heiss belted in a left-footer for the winner.
The second half saw Ramsay bury her second of the night, followed by the 5-1 goal by Myra McEwan, who lofted a shot from outside the 18-yard box.
Janelle Smithson completed the Impact offence before the Drillers added a late consolation tally.
Kate Colbeck stepped up to replace stellar goalkeeper Derri Ann Cooper in the second half, so Cooper could rest up for Thursday’s make-up game against the Chicks.
Controllers clamp down Sista’s
Ever-improving Seasons Sista’s bowed 3-1 to the Vernon Controllers on Marshall #4.
With star keeper Mickey Templeton watching from the sidelines nursing an injury, the Controllers opened the scoring early as Therese Weber sent a beautiful cross to Jenny Currie who relayed it to Jenn Spitzer for a one-timer from close in.
Spitzer put the Controllers up by two midway through the second half as a Currie free kick found Emma Louie, who laid it back to a charging Spitzer to bang home.
Krista Backer then one-touched a Currie through ball to send Spitzer in alone for the Controllers’ final goal.
Sherry Wiebe took a turn up front for the Sista’s and responded with her first goal of the season. Wiebe sent a blistering left-footer, low to the near side late in the second half to spoil Leslie Epp’s shutout. Shannon Nolting drew the assist as she volleyed the ball to Wiebe off a throw-in from Deb Whitling.
Lesley Williams sacrificed herself and played amazing defence. Sacha Schenker broke up lots of plays and created many attacks on the Controllers’ net.
Andrea Zubot missed on a couple of great opportunities, hitting the crossbar on one high shot, and narrowly missing a header on a great Kim Sylvester cross.
Becky (Bubbles) Birbilis was cleared for blowing bubbles again, and relayed numerous through balls for forward Sylvester.
Controllers defender Michele Wernicke had a strong game as did centre back Brandie Hunter and right back Val Percy. Midfielders Sena Bishop, Ang Durfeld, Michelle Mercer and Felicia O’Gorman and Weber worked the short passing game to set up hard-working forwards Sherri Kineshanko and Krista Copeland.
Keeper Suzyn August challenged attackers, deflected tough shots and pounced on loose balls.
Outlaws draw Celtics
In Division 1 play Tuesday night, Little Tex Outlaws and North Enderby Timber Celtics played to a 1-1 draw on a gusty Marshall #5.
Jenn Kemper opened the scoring for Little Tex on a great solo run early in the second half.
About 10 minutes later, the Celtics equalized when Heidi Holtmann converted a beautiful cross from Carly Smith. Holtmann struck the ball hard to the lower right side.
Tex netminder Eileen Fox had an outstanding game, making many great saves. She was supported by strong defensive play by Jordan Mercer, Jen Knopf, Kristy Anderson and Stacey Cover.
Jasmine Whitling helped orchestrate the attack from middle, and Christine Fraser went hard to the ball all night, delivering many great crosses. Kira Lee generated many opportunities, but couldn’t finish.
With about seven minutes left, Charmaine Biagioni came charging out to save a quick shot from an unmarked Outlaw forward and then gobbled up the rebound to preserve the draw.
“If I had to pick one player as our MVP it would be Charmaine,” said Celtic coach Graham Ross. “In my mind, she is above and beyond the best goalie in the Okanagan.
“It was a good season, much better than years past. Most of us worked hard to improve, and it really showed.”
AF Blazers ended their season with a forfeit win over host Salmon Arm Glenn Power Wednesday night.
“We were able to play a friendly scrimmage in the pouring rain,” said Blazers’ veteran keeper Katie Hatten. “It’s not the way we wanted to do it, but we did end the season with a tally in the win column.”
Following the action at Marshall, all the teams rallied for a barbecue fundraiser for Haley McDougall, who has had what is called new daily head pain for 10 years.
The fundraiser collected more than $4,000, which will go towards an operation for McDougall at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona.
“A great night for a barbecue to support a great cause,” said Akbal Mund, of Little Tex. “All the teams came over and bought burgers and dogs.
“We want to thank Marty Stein and Pee Wee hockey committee for a $2,000 donation, North Okanagan United soccer club for a $1,000 donation, Inland Restaurants Ltd. for a $500 donation, Jim (Tennant) at Save-on-Foods for donating the buns, Yogi Kongsdorf of Maple Leaf for donating the hamburgers and hot dogs, and all the helpers – Irene Arrotta, Gord Campbell, Lisa Arrotta, Jacquie Hansen, Cindy Worth, Jim and Maureen McEwan, Tania Mund, Montana Mund and Kennedy Mund – for preparing the food and drinks.”
