Morning Star Staff
Vernon United lost 4-1 to undefeated Kelowna United Sunday morning in a tough Thompson Okanagan Under 14 Boys Soccer League battle at City Park in Kelowna.
Vernon strategically played a defensive set to counter the high-scoring Kelowna team.
Vernon got bold defence from Aiden Skinner, Kaden Funk and Luc Jones and when they did counter, left wingers Hayden Catt and Brodie Fraser were a threat.
Kelowna made it 2-0 early in the second half when they knocked home a rebound from a corner and got another when keeper Jared Ross had to leave his net to attack a through ball and tripped a Kelowna forward in the penalty area. Kelowna scored on the ensuing PK.
Vernon spoiled Kelowna’s clean sheet when Ben Imrich slotted the ball home after a nice cross from William Oort-Bosman.
Forwards James Meeks and Josh McKeown ran hard all game.
Vernon was solid in midfield with Brad Cramer, Aidan Buckley and Saajan Klair defending well along with fullback Ben Morgan.
Vernon United dropped a 3-0 decision to the host Kamloops Blaze in U15 Boys play in a hot, fast and often fierce Sunday matinee.
Kamloops converted at 13 minutes and Vernon’s form perked up the rest of the half.
Vernon enjoyed numerous chances in the final 40 minutes but the Blaze potted a deuce.
Olli Meyer and William Denny played the entire game as Vernon was short a few players Keeper Jared Jameson was downright tenacious.
Vernon U13 Boys bowed 5-2 to the Shuswap Selects at Marshall Field.
Zack Hanley made a great cross and Ethan Greenan finished for the first United goal.
It was 3-1 Shuswap at the half and the Selects went ahead 4-1 before Justin Russell fed Dominic Peterson, who used his speed to beat the last defender and score.
Vernon U12 Boys teams faced Kelowna sides in doubleheaders Sunday in Salmon Arm.
Team C lost 4-2 to Kelowna B before shading Kelowna R 5-4.
Aidan Winn was stellar in net fronted by Braden Schmiegelt, Alex Kazimer and Marcus Petersen in the loss.
Declan Hardy produced Vernon’s first goal, supported by Cameron Acob and Owen Challen, Devin Bilodeau took a beautiful shot from what seemed like an impossible angle and beat the keeper for the second snipe.
Vernon came out revitalized in Game 2, connecting passes and playing most of the game in the Kelowna. Liam Collins took on keeper duties and was solid.
Hardy sent a direct pass to Cash Anderson with Parker Munroe burying Anderson’s rebound for the first goal.
Within minutes, Anderson converted a nice pass from Marcus Erho. Kelowna rallied but Munroe answered with a long ball.
Tate Garrod converted a Hardy rebound and Anderson scored on a direct penalty kick to finish the attack.
Tolko Team S bowed 4-3 to Kelowna R and then shut down Kelowna G 2-0.
Nick Noren and Alexander Jones fronted keeper Jared Eddy in Game 1. Zach Loland convert a feed from Landon Janke to put Vernon on the sheet.
Kelowna responded with two quick goals right before the half despite forward pressure by Ben Straight and Colby McManaman.
Jonah Violini donned the keeper gloves for the second half and battled an opposing Kelowna front line. Kelowna racked up a couple more but Carter Leahy answered on a zigzag pass from Danny McLennan.
Leahy passed a solid shot to Roan Reid who sent the ball past the Kelowna keeper for the winner in Game 2.
Fraser Christensen and Noren kept the charge going by passing the ball forward to create numerous chances. Leahy buried a penalty kick for insurance.
Justin Ruschiensky and Levi Korol shared the shutout.
The Vernon Venom U11 Boys lost 5-2 to Kelowna D.
Kelowna scored first despite a valiant effort to save by Vernon’s Mac Sorochuk. Vernon came close on more occasions with a blistering shot by Josh Donison from Mitchell Bond and a cannon from Jenetzen Peterson.
Rowan Smith, Luca Ariano, Kaden O’Connor and Matthew Hill Turner ran miles on the back four for Vernon, who earned second-half goals by Donison and Peterson.
Hayden Murphy, Henry Routley, Logan Stewart, Braxton McDonald and Josh Mark had bold outings, while Evan Sadesky recorded some clutch saves in the final half.