Okanagan FC drop first two games of season, confident in bounce back

The Okanagan Football Club isn’t notably concerned with the back-to-back losses to start their season in the Pacific Coast Soccer League.

After the two tight games against Penticton and Kamloops, OKFC is feeling confident their level of play hasn’t suffered and that their first season in the PCSL is still on the right track.

Head coach Andrew Stevenson said the opening weekend was a tough lesson for his squad.

“We need to be at our max level. It’s quite clear every game is going to be a battle,” he said.

“The level of competition was great, everyone is capable of beating everyone else.”

After putting together a local and competitive soccer team almost out of thin air, the club has come a long way from initial roster tryouts in early March to playing their first game in the PCSL, one of the highest levels of men’s soccer that spans across the Okanagan, Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island.

After suffering two season opening losses, Stevenson said that the team’s talent is very apparent but creating team chemistry is still a work in progress.

The coach feels the 2-0 loss to Penticton on Saturday and 2-1 loss to Kamloops on Sunday was not reflective of the team’s overall performance in both games.

“We’re still figuring out how our teammates play and how they fit on the field, and the chemistry on the field is improving every day,” Stevenson said.

“We were a bit lackadaisical at our focus in key moments (in the first two games). We were every bit competitive in both games, and going forward we’ll be relentless and more assured in those key moments.”

The club is looking to make an impact on local soccer experiences in the Okanagan, to create a great environment for fans on display for the first time with the team’s the home opener June 9 against Penticton Pinnacles at the Apple Bowl.

“There’s a lot of buzz. People are excited about us playing at the Apple Bowl, and we’re excited to claim it as our home field. We made this team to bring a true competitive soccer level back to Kelowna for kids, fans and the community,” Stevenson said.

This weekend will see the Okanagan squad on the road again for matches against Victoria Highlanders on Saturday and the Mid Isle Mariners on Sunday.

Coach Stevenson said they need to be mindful of the travel effects on the team as they look for their first win.

“We’re capable of playing against excellent opponents and getting the results, we just need to be solid and organized, with faith in our approach and system.”

Okanagan FC returns to Kelowna for their first home game of the season on June 9.

More information can be found at okanaganfc.com.

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Vernon Morning Star