Three Kelowna United teams have booked spots in B.C. Soccer’s Provincial B Cup early next month in Richmond and Chilliwack.
The Kelowna U15 girls, U16 girls and U16 boys all qualified by winning their respective Thompson Okanagan Youth Soccer League titles last weekend in Salmon Arm and Penticton.
Here’s a look at some of the results:
• U15 girls—In an exciting TOYSL final, the KU girls edged the Penticton Pinnacles 2-1.
Kelowna keeper Regan Medley had some key saves to end the first half with no score. In the second half, Kelowna’s Kate Johnson had a beautiful run up the field, crossed the ball in front of the net to Caitlin Kingsmill for their first goal.
Twenty-one minutes into the second half, Kelowna’s midfielder Lauryn Guy put a through ball up to Kate Johnson who got a breakaway and capitalized on her own rebound for United’s second goal. With 10 minutes left in the game, Penticton was able to sneak one past Kelowna’s keeper Fiona Reha, but the Kelowna girls successfully held on to the final whistle. The game ended 2-1 for KU, sending the local girls to the Provincial B Cup in Chilliwack.
• U16 girls—Kelowna United shutout Salmon Arm 3-0 in extra time Sunday to win the U16 final in Penticton.
The teams were scoreless through regulation play, before a Holly deHaas goal gave Kelowna the lead in the first 10-minute extra period. Kaitlyn Kilmartin and Kama Ringer scored in the second overtime to secure the win.
United will be in Chilliwack July 4 to 6 for the Provincial B Cup.
“We haven’t seen any of the teams, so it’s hard to know how we’ll do,” said coach Linda George. “As long as the girls do their best and enjoy themselves, that’s what’s important.”
• U16 boys—Tony Gonzalez’s United boys were the only team in TOYSL U16 division, so earned a bye to provincials. Undefeated in their last five games, Untied is making its third trip to the championships in the past four years. After playing up one or two age levels all year, they have been well prepared to go up against the best in the province. The Provincial B Cup for boys will be held July 4 to 6 in Richmond.
• U13 boys—Kelowna United settled for silver at the TOYSL playdowns. In the semifinal against Kamloops, Kelowna’s Braeden Cangiano was taken down hard in the penalty area which was promptly deposited in the back of the net by Philip Michl. The victory was secured a short while later when Defender Harry Bortolon darted through the mid field, dished off a precision pass to an onrushing Cameron Sorenson who let go a laser finding the back of the net.
In the final, United fell 1-0 to Penticton, with the only goal coming late in regulation on a corner kick.
United development…
While the older teams sought to earn their spots in the provincials, the Kelowna United Development Teams continued league play.
• U12 girls
KU Krushers 1, Kamloops Blaze Orange 1—Kamloops opened the scoring with a goal in the first minute of the second half. KU managed to tie it up with a breakaway goal by Jaxon Slaney.
KU Krushers 1, Penticton Pinnacles 1—KU’s Sienna Hinks finished off the 1st half with a goal assisted by Melaina Corrado. Penticton tied it off a penalty kick in the second half.
KU Fusion 3, Kamloops White 1—Aly Foster scored on a low, hard shot at the 18 minute mark after being set up beautifully by Kassidy Day. KU continued to attack and were rewarded a second time at the 23 minute mark when Rylee Semeniuk picked the bottom right corner of the net after a perfect pass from Sophie Lachapelle. After Kamloops found the back of the KU net to make it 3-1, United answered back just two minutes later when Lindsay Goett was sent in on a break-away by Makenna Banser.
KU Hideaki Crushers 2, Vernon 1—Kelowna carried most of the play in the first half but a failed clearance from the back resulted in Vernon capitalizing and scoring first to make it 1-0 at the half. The second half had Kelowna pouring on the pressure which finally paid off with Jessye Large scoring from 6 yards out with a well placed shot. With about 10 mins left, the tricky skills of Ashlyn Eisenkrein got her through a couple of Vernon defenders and she slotted in under the Vernon keeper.
KU Hideaki Crushers 3, Penticton Pinnacles 0—Ashlyn Eisenkrein scored twice, while Kaley Krivoshein crossed with Skye Neale for the other goal.
• U11 girls
KU Heat 3, Vernon 0—Five minutes into the second half Shae Taylor put the Heat ahead on a penalty shot after a spilled balled was handled by the Vernon defence. Two minutes later, starting with a very nice throw-in from Juliet Webster, Abbey McCann gathered in a pass from Amaryn Cunningham and pulled it back across the keeper for the Heat’s second goal. Ten minutes from time, Shae forwarded a ball to Sophia Clarke who turned at the top of the box and pushed it into the lower left corner for the Heat’s third goal.
KU Heat 4, Kamloops Orange 1—Abbey collected her second goal of the day on a spilled ball off of a shot by Amaryn. In the second half Paige Cates scored two goals and Kaelin Stoodley finished up the scoring with hard work in the box after a corner taken by Sophia Clarke. Paige Cates was a key player throughout the day with her work to link the back line with the forwards. Kamloops scored their goal at 48 minutes on a penalty shot.
