The Vernon Chick Kickers clinched first place in the North Okanagan Women’s Soccer Association Masters Division Tuesday night with a 6-1 stuffing of the Controllers at Marshall Field #5.
The Masters Division playoff tournament goes Aug. 25-27. There are no playoffs for the Competitive Division.
Tania Sladen jumpstarted the 13-3-2 Kickers’ attack with a great heads-up shot from 25 yards out, while Colline Johnson took a great feed from Jen Sorochuk and put a nice diagonal ball over keeper Michele Wernicke’s head for a second tally.
Sorochuck then dished a superb through ball to Jenny Garnett, who danced her way in to close out the first-half scoring.
Kelly Challen struck first in the second half on a nice give and go with Garnett before she stuffed it in the lower corner.
Garnett and Challen rounded out the scoring. Midfielders Shuana Stenquist Monica Holbowski and Corrie Bauml were in top form with great ball distribution and pursuit.
Kickers’ coach Mike Johnson received stellar showings from the dynamic defending trio of Marilynn Vanderdeen, Wendy Martens and Bridget Grant as they played with heart and soul keeping Controller striking chances on keeper Dawn Tucker to a minimum.
The 9-5-4 Controllers scored two minutes into the final half with Jacquie Nuyens’ gorgeous header going top corner as she finished a 25-yard cross from Danielle Dunsmore.
Michelle Embleton took over in goal in the second half, and made some great saves early before the Kickers counted three more goals.
Said Controllers’ defender Brandie Hunter: “We’ll get our game back for the final league tourney. I just know it, I can feel it.”
The Kickers finished ahead of the Salmon Arm Setter’s Pub with the Okanagan Impact third. The Impact (10-4-4) bowed 1-0 to the Shuswap Merlot with Reena Leupin scoring for the Impact.
United hold off Seasons Sista’s
The Vernon Liquor Store North Okanagan United held back the stubborn Seasons Sista’s 3-2 to end the regular season at Marshall Field #4.
Sista’s took the early lead with roadrunner Kim Sylvester capitalizing on a breakaway.
The heat and lack of subs took its toll on the Sista’s and near the end of the half, Teresa Collins twice took advantage of the sun-blinded keeper Nicole Langner with balls over her head for a 2-1 lead at the break.
Shelley Henry’s high-placed ball that ricocheted off the cross bar into the back of Langner’s head, ended up being the winner.
The Sista’s made it close with another goal by Sylvester later in the half, on a hard, low blast off the post that went in off NOU keeper Sarah Kwantes’ hand.
The Sista’s pressed hard for the equalizer, enjoying close calls as Gizelle Duquette just missed the top corner from outside the 18 when Kwantes made a great hand save.
A corner by Andrea Zubot caused a goal-mouth scramble and a through ball to the far post just failed at the last second by Helen Clarke, while Sylvester missed on a breakaway after great feeds by Becky (Bubbles) Birbilis and Tarla Price.
NOU (9-7-2) received great play from Tania Willett, who was an unstoppable force.
Newlywed Rita Tedesco, now a calmer and stronger player, created many scoring changes and provided umpteen sweet ground passes for scoring chances.
Stellar runs were put in by Lena Dean, Carla Gibson and Mel Jacobs.
Drillers make most of full lineup
With almost their entire team showing up, the Goplen Drillers made up for their lack of scoring last week with a 6-0 win over Monashee’s Pub at Marshall #3.
Shawn Nickoli earned her third shutout of the season behind a solid defensive line of Vel Beaumont, Kulwinder Smith, Tracey Hill, Jodi Peshko and Nancy Nickoli.
Lena Urquhart began the scoring spree off a nice pass from Kylah Bryde. Bryde then scored from a cross by Tina Garrison.
The 6-8-3 Drillers’ third goal came from Garrison’s corner to forward Shelley Zupp, who headed the ball which deflected off the crossbar and landed in front of the net for a waiting Bryde, who buried in a hurry.
In the second half, Garrison delivered a nicely-placed through ball for Zupp who carried it in and converted low into the corner.
Kelly Megyesi registered the best goal of her season when she stole the ball from a Monashee defender and blasted it in the net to make it 5-0.
It was a solid team win with fabulous play from Chris Castrucow, Stephanie Curtis, Chrissy Gillespie and Karen Zupp and a perfect combination of solid defence, outstanding midfield and forwards finishing.
The last goal of the night was the result of Garrison and Bryde working well together in the midfield, Bryde assisting Garrison’s goal. Lisa Lanaway was unstoppable with her competitive play and effective checking skills.
Blazers brush back Outlaws 2-0
In Competitive Division play, the AF Blazers pulled off a 2-0 win over the Little Tex Outlaws to end the season in a hard-fought battle Tuesday night at Marshall #2.
The Blazers opened the scoring when Krista Ference blasted through the Little Tex defense. Shortly after, Ginger Nickoli feathered a pass through to Ali Clarke who denied Little Tex keeper Lori Phillips, who was playing injured.
Jane Higgins and Amber Maltman were outstanding on the 3-9-3 Blazer defence, while Katie Hatten, making a debut appearance, Ally Cummings, Chelsea Ricketts and Jenny Hatten held the midfield. Eileen Pellicca was phenomenal and made several key saves in net for the Blazers.
The back line of Stacey Cover, Kristy Anderson, Erica Francis and Christine Neilson had their work cut out for them with the Outlaws down a player, but did a great job of keeping Blazer scoring chances to a minimum. Anita Rea had a handful of close calls and set up several other offensive thrusts.
Jasmine Whitling was amazing in the middle, moving the ball up the field and feeding it out wide to create opportunity. Sam Knight and Stephanie Stewart had great games up front but just couldn’t capitalize.
Phillips was outstanding in net as the Outlaws finished at 9-6-1.
Dr. Lee Dental Clinic/Checkers and the North Enderby Timber played to a scoreless draw at Marshall #2. Lisa Arrotta earned the shutout for the 10-4-2 Floss crew.
Cary Smith and Taryn Lloyd shared the shutout for NET (2-14-1).
“Everyone played amazing; it was above and beyond their best game of the season,” said NET coach Graham Ross. “Jackie Morneau played the best game I have ever seen her play. Not a single weak spot on the pitch for the Celtics.”
