The strikers struck for both teams in the all-Vernon Capri Insurance Okanagan Oldtimers 55+ Soccer League derby.
Strikers Jenne Huberts and Rob Hulstein scored for Kal Tire, and counterparts Mark Wasylyk and Keith Chancellor countered for the Silver Stars as the city rivals battled to a 2-2 draw in the season-opening game for both teams Thursday at MacDonald Park.
The match was a good, clean hard-fought game that featured stellar goalkeeping at both ends, and good officiating.
In other league results from Thursday, North Country Appraisals Kickers downed Beasley FC 6-0 in Lake Country, and Brandt’s Creek also scored a 6-0 win over Kelowna Vintage.
n Vernon Kal Tire lost only three regular season games a year ago en route to the league double in the Kelowna Tree Brewing Mens 35+ Soccer League.
The defending regular season and playoff champions have started 2016 at 0-2, after falling 2-1 to Lake Country Thursday at Mission Field in Kelowna.
The game resembled more of a final than a Week 2 affair.
In the first half, play went back and forth with both teams having good scoring chances, only to be stymied by keepers Mark Zaino of Kal Tire and Steve Heiss of Lake Country.
In the second half, Lake Country struck twice. The first on a low shot that gave Zaino no chance. The second came on another low shot that went in off the post.
Kal Tire stepped up after that, ringing a shot off the post. A few minutes later, Jason Beck hit Darren Nobrega who found Graeme Magee pinching up from defence. Magee sent Mark Budgen on the wing and Budgen used his Monashee Survey-ing skills to find Geoff Straight’s head for the goal.
Despite constant pressure, the tiremen could not find the tying goal.