Calling it a nail-biter would be an understatement.
The U16 Boys Shuswap Selects played two games on the weekend in Penticton in their quest for the Thompson-Okanagan zone championship.
On Saturday, they faced a hard-working Vernon United team in gusty winds. The Selects got off to a slow start, ending the half down 1-0. However, the team came together in the second, winning a penalty shot in the first five minutes. The boys then started to play the possession style of game that has worked for them all season. Final score, 4-1 Shuswap.
In the final Sunday, the Selects faced rival Kelowna United.
While Shuswap had the advantage of having played on the fields the day before, Kelowna was fresh and well-rested.
It was a tough, intense back-and-forth battle from start to finish, with several minor injuries on both sides. At the end of the first half, the score remained 0-0. At the end of the second, still no score. Then two overtime halves, where Shuswap rallied, dominating possession, but, at the end of a total of 110 minutes of play, still a scoreless draw.
Tensions rose for hometown fans as it became clear the championship would be settled by penalty kicks. The Selects, however, remained calm and cool.
Shuswap keeper Morgan Crandlemire waited out the first Kelowna shooter, stopping his shot. The Selects’ first three shooters then calmly buried theirs, while Kelowna got just one in the back of the net.
Three Select shooters were all that was needed.
Another fantastic save from Crandlemire stopped the third Kelowna attempt and the fourth Kelowna shot ricocheted off the crossbar – erupting in a celebration from the new Thompson-Okanagan Youth Soccer League champions and their fans.
Coached by David Knight and assistant coach Ken Kantymir, the team is made up of Chad Baker, Westlee Bischoff, Eric Brock, Nick Chesney, Morgan Crandlemire, Quinton Fahlman, Zach Friedenberger, Micah Gunn, Nathan Hawes, Lachlan Hicks, Nate Kantymir, Adam Luchkanych, Jacob New, Kyle Nicholson, Shea Smith and Dylan Staal.
The U16 Boys Provincials will be held in Aldergrove July 5 to 8.
To provincials
The Shuswap U18 Girls are also heading to provincials.
Coached by Ian McLellan, the girls advanced to the final but lost a hard-fought game to Kelowna.
However, they will be a contender at the Provincials because a regional berth is added given that Kelowna is hosting the U18 girls tournament.
Super strategy
In Women’s Masters play, Shuswap Merlot’s tactical session over martinis last week was deemed a remarkable success as they executed their plays well and had the most spirited game of the season.
Though short in stature but large in heart, Karen Tanchak stepped up to her first game as keeper, stopping a penalty shot and coming up with several key saves.
Eleven brave but tired souls played their hearts out until the final whistle on Tuesday, June 12 in Vernon. Final score: Merlot 1, North Okanagan United 1.
Ted tie
The top two teams on the Masters Division of the North Okanagan Women’s Soccer Association squared off in Vernon June 12. First-place Ted United took on second-place Impact.
The game was a see-saw battle that saw most of the play in the middle of the field. Ted United was first to strike after a hand ball by an Impact player inside the 18-yard box resulted in a penalty shot scored by Kyla Sherman.
Impact stepped up the pressure near the end of the second half resulting in a well-placed shot by Eddie Ramsay. Ted United had a few good chances late in the game but were thwarted by the Impact’s goalie.
The game ended in a 1-1 draw.