The Vernon United Under 15 girls appear primed for the upcoming Thompson Okanagan Rep Soccer League playoffs.
Brett Bandy’s crew brushed back Kelowna United 3-1 Sunday at Marshall Field #4, improving to 5-0-1 and claiming the regular-season title.
Both teams came hungry for a win to clinch first place with their last meeting a scoreless draw a month ago. Reyhanna Akkurt read the play perfectly to start the Vernon scoring by slipping the ball past the keeper on a failed clearing attempt.
Akkurt was in the right spot again, getting a tap in off a mishandled ball from the keeper after Maddy Laranjo put a shot on net. Akkurt completed the hat trick on a very athletic play just inside the box, going far side. Kelowna scored with seconds left.
Vernon spent most of the second half in Kelowna’s end with tireless work. Kara Ross was a beast pushing the play hard after coming off injured reserve.
In U16 girls action, Vernon United drew 2-2 with the Penticton Pinnacles Saturday at MacDonald Park and then battled the Kamloops Blaze to a scoreless tie Sunday at Marshall #4.
Tarah Smith, with a superb goal off a corner, and Laranjo – called up from U15s – handled the United scoring versus the Pinnacles.
The tie with Kamloops featured sizzling goalkeeping by Julia Kemper and nice hustle up front by Dayce Knopf. The U16s are second with one game left until the playdowns.
United clipped Penticton 2-1 in U14 girls action Sunday at McArthur Island Sports Centre in Kamloops.
Millie Harron netted Vernon’s first goal on a self-created breakaway inside the 18, while Sheyna Camalush provided the winner on a penalty kick.
In U13 play, undefeated Vernon ambushed Penticton 7-0 Sunday at Marshall #5.
Mason Christensen and Maja Splawinski each pocketed two goals for the first-place United with singles going to Abbey Magnus, Alyssa Racine and Lydia Lavigne.
The back line of Chelsea Rooseboom, Lavigne, Madelyn Smith, Jordan Butler, Lailah Akkurt and Sydney Embelton did not allow a single shot on keeper Shauna Bradley.
Midfielders Magnus, Alex Lockwood, Kalli Hamilton-Gee and Splawinski ran tirelessly all afternoon winning tackles, attacking and distributing. Strong wing play was turned in by Danika Roy, Paige Latta, Mya Weir and Evan Koshure.
United U12 #2 girls stretched their undefeated streak to nine games Sunday as they tied Kamloops Blue 2-2 and brushed back Kamloops White 3-1.
Jayden Strachan, on a fabulous solo effort, and Emily Thomas, bending a shot from the goal line into the top corner, handled Vernon’s offence in the draw. Kamloops equalized in the final seconds on a deflected shot.
Down 1-0 early, Elena Gaskell, on a laser beam, and Thomas, with two exciting goals, gave United the win. Hailey Yablonski was superb in net for both games.
Vernon U12 #1 girls toppled Penticton 4-2 before falling 4-2 to Kamloops Blaze Orange Sunday in Kelowna.
Kelsea Carriere and Danica Ariano each scored twice versus the Pinnacles. They were aided by strong offensive runs by Makena Kersey, Megan Sherwood, and Sydney Grevatt. Solid defence by Carly Southham, Talia Quiring and Julia Thompson helped to break down the Pinnacles’ attack.
Grace Atkins pocketed one into the far corner as United bowed to Kamloops. Emilia Durfeld and Paige Noakes turned in some splendid runs and Keria Correia performed some fancy footwork before being denied by the keeper.
The Interior Savings United U11 girls #1 had a loss and a tie in Penticton, losing 4-1 to Kelowna Red Sunday morning and drawing 2-2 with the Pinnacles in the afternoon.
Vernon opened the scoring versus Kelowna in the eighth minute when Rane Smith made a sweet pass to Anne Cherkowski, who slotted it into the corner.
United enjoyed several chances and just missed going up 2-0 early before Kelowna began using its speed and passing skills to pull away. Kenzie Koshure was strong on left defence.
Against the Pinnacles, Megan Claeys poked one into the corner after some nice build up by Emma Lockhead and Greenley Schneider in the 12th minute. Cherkowski made it 2-0 a few minutes later by intercepting a goal kick, deking out a defender and placing it into the corner.
United got great ball control from Elizabeth Hirschkorn and Jessica Grages in the midfield and Callie Bertram from central defence. Kelsey Fillion and Sarah Beca did a good job keeping Penticton’s offence to the outside.
United U15-16 boys displayed their finest showing of the season by edging Kelowna U15 A 2-1 and grounding Penticton U15 A’s 3-1.
Zak Kronbauer, who seemed to be everywhere in the first half, opened the scoring Saturday in Kelowna on a great cross from Matt Kruetz. United went up 2-0 on a penalty shot from Cameron Hitch
Penticton opened the scoring Sunday at Marshall #5 with a set corner. Michael Williamson, with some Messi moves in deep, set up Brandon Melbourne for a blast from the top of the 18 to level the score.
The second half was all United with Kruetz putting United up 2-1 with a corker that the Penticton keeper never saw as it hit the back bar and came out before he moved. Williamson, with a sweet header from Kreutz, finished the scoring.
United U14 boys bowed 3-1 to host Kamloops Blaze Sunday, while United U13s lost 3-0 to host Kamloops Blaze.
Most of Vernon’s U14 offensive opportunities came from the bold play of Connor Johnston on the right flank.
The lone breakthrough in the first half came with seconds remaining off a scrambled corner, where Vernon keeper Elias Jensen was blocked out from getting to the ball. Kamloops added two goals in the second half.
Vernon fought back with determined effort through the midfield play of Gavin Mason and Charis Ondrik. A free kick from Malcolm Wiens was parlayed away by the defensive wall, but moments later Shey Townley was taken down in the area. Burnet deftly converted the penalty.
United U11 #1 rocked the host Revelstoke Avalanche 6-1 Sunday at Centennial Park.
Isaiah Ondrik supplied a natural hat trick to open the scoring, including two chips over the keeper. Singles were recorded by Zach Smith, Dawson Martian and Keegan Carmichael.
Lucas Shuch played his game of the year on defence, with other firm efforts coming from Luc Jones, Saajan Klair, and Liam Reid.
United U11 #2 played fabulous as they tripped up Penticton 3-1 and grounded Kamloops Blaze Orange 4-1 Sunday in Revelstoke.
Kobe Grant netted the opening goal after great passing between Tyson Fairweather, Liam Glennon and Josh McKeown.
McKeown and Glennon then sandwiched singles around a Penticton goal. Against Kamloops, Glennon produced a pair of goals with Bsat and James Meeks supplying assists. After an unlucky own goal, Grant and Nate Paskiewich rounded out the scoring. Logan Quibell was great in goal, supported by a bold back line of Gavin Medema, Ben Morgan and Skinner.
