Morning Star Staff
Tie game with about eight minutes to play and the bright sun all but gone.
Enter Shelley Henry through the darkness. The veteran striker took a nice feed from the midfield, tricked a few defenders and buried a low shot, giving the Vernon Controllers a 2-1 win over Vernon VQA at MacDonald Park.
It was the North Okanagan Women’s Soccer Association Masters season opener for both clubs.
VQA roadrunner Leah (Good Wood) Willinger, scored near the 20th minute. The Controllers equalized just before the break as Angela Durfeld took a nice pass from the midfield and dribbled in and found net.
New Controller recruits Jessie Bicknell, Martina Allen and Tara Murray were outstanding moving the ball up the midfield while Wanda Vanderveen and Carla Rayner created spectacular opportunities on the forward line.
Ginger Nickoli recently signed with VQA and was fantastic with her soccer sense and great ball control creating many chances for attacks.
First-time ever keeper Bobbi Jo Gordon handled the keep area with dedication and spirit for VQA, while the new and improved Carla Gibson was a great asset as always. Sue Barss created numerous chances at the net with slick crosses for the speedy forwards.
Sportmanship award of the night goes to Gordon.
King leads Squires
Squires Four Pub/Dr. Lee’s Dental shut down the Courtesy Motors Sistas 5-0 in Masters play at Marshall Field #3.
Mari-Anne DeFoor opened the attack in the first half on a pass from Andi King (first game back after two years off).
In the second half, King got credit for the second goal that went off a Sista defender. Jennie Currie scored on her own rebound after great hustle for the ball.
Marisa Wiebe hammered a goal home from 25 yards out on a great pass from Cindy Worth, while Irene Arrotta converted in the final minute on a rebound from a great ball from the outside sent in by King.
Squires Four/Dr. Lee’s played a great team game on both sides of the ball. Lisa Arrotta earned the shutout.
Newbies Liz Peterson and Crystal Flasch played hard for Courtesy Motors, who trailed 1-0 at the half.
The Sistas enjoyed scoring chances from Jessica Garri, Andy Zubot and Diane Neudorf off great feeds by the midfielders,
The La Senza Most Sportsmanlike Player for the Sistas was smiling Nadine Danyluk for her presence all over the field.
Kickers ice Kaos
The Chick Kickers jumpstarted their season by clipping the Salmon Arm Kaos 2-0 at Marshall #1.
Jenny Garnett clicked on a breakaway from Colline Johnson for the first snipe. Dawn Cates converted a sweet pass from Garnett for insurance.
Sharon Storms was robbed by the Kaos keeper. Cates earned Lady of the Match.
Robyn Sherwood recorded some amazing saves for the shutout.
Bourdon goes big
The Gray Monk Impact held off Rosters Sports club 1-0 at MacDonald Park.
Leggy Denise Bourdon buried a 27-yarder late in the second half after a nice feed up the middle.
Rosters keeper Amanda Smiley was awarded MVP thanks to her spectacular saves. New recruit Katie Reid had a bold showing on defence.
Lisa Fogel and Denise Bateman kept Rosters together with with their high energy and communication.
The North Enderby Timber Celtics bounced the Ball Blasters 3-1 in Competitive Division action at Marshall #4.
Megan Squair put the Blasters in front after some miscommincation by the Celtic back four before the Celtics found their groove.
Sam Adam levelled the scorer, picking up right where she left off last season, late in the first half by firing a rocket to the top corner from outside the 18-yard box.
Carly Smith registered the eventual winner midway through the second half on a scramble from a gorgeous corner from Sarah Ehman.
Celtic newcomer Lindsay Bolduc earned the the NET Lady of the Match after dominating the midfield all night. Bolduc scored the goal of the game by beating three defenders on a solo run from half before beating the keeper far post.
NET veteran Janessa Neufeld was a rock on the back line turning away anyone and everything. Meghan Smith earned the win.