Morning Star Staff
They call them the Killer A’s for their scoring touch in Under 11 Girls Rep Development Girls.
And the trio of Aimee Skinner, Anna Hirschkorn and Adelynn Heyes filled the net again Sunday, figuring in all nine goals as Tolko Vernon United Strikers won twice Sunday in Salmon Arm.
The Strikers stopped Kamloops Blaze 3-1 before grounding Kelowna United 6-2 at Interior Savings Credit Union Sportsplex.
Skinner found Hirschkorn at the top of the box to give the Strikers a 1-0 lead versus the Blazers. Minutes later, Heyes connected from six yards on a pass from Skinner.
Skinner closed the attack after Hirschkorn found her on the left side of the net. Kamloops scored late to break the shutout. Lauren Hoard and Naomi Klein were solid in net, while Jessica Bond, Joelle Kohtala and Clara Meyer were dynamic defensively.
In their second match, Vernon jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead as Heyes found Skinner just inside the box, who then cracked her shot off the inside of the left post.
Heyes then doubled the lead after pouncing on a Hirschkorn rebound. Kelowna stormed back with two fast goals to level things just before half, but the Killer A’s responded with a flurry in the second half.
Hirschkorn hammered in an 18-yard free kick just under the bar to give Vernon the lead. Heyes then intercepted a Kelowna throw-in and broke in all alone to beat the keeper to the left side.
Skinner and Hirschkorn then combined on two corners, with Hirschkorn delivering the crosses and Skinner converting both, the second off a header.
“The header goal was spectacular,” said Striker coach Rolf Hirschkorn. “It was a great cross and a spectacular finish.”
Macy Blades and Sophia Bilodeau were noted for strong showings on defence and midfield respectively.
The Vernon Blasters split their games in Salmon Arm, losing 4-0 to Kelowna S and rallying back for a 4-1 win over Kelowna F.
Strong forward play by Abby Lawlor allowed Kristin Francks to pull the hat trick in the Blasters’ win. McKenna Jackson added a single.
Tori Maltman and Jesse Mitchell were both solid in net, along with quality defence by Paige Cover, Sadie Christensen and Amy Curtis.
Vernon United grounded Salmon Arm Selects 4-0 in U15 Girls Sunday.
Kelsey Carrier provided the winner off a sweet direct kick. Jayden Strachan scored from outside the 18-yard box and then sent a great ball wide to Elena Gaskell, who strategically buried the cross far top corner
Mariya Blades’ agressive play paid off when she won the ball out wide, connected with Keira Corriea who cleverly beat her defender, and slipped the ball thru to the foot of Strachan who converted again.
Carly Southam, Emilia Durfeld, Nadia Smith and Sydney Grevatt were dynamite on defence.
The Tolko AIL MSE Precast U12 Blues shut down the Kelowna Lightning 2-0 on Mother’s Day with extremely windy conditions at Marshall Field adding some extra challenges.
The first half was scoreless with non-stop action and exceptional passing and scoring opportunities by both sides.
Lily Lee opened the attack in the second half with a powerful boot from the left flank. The Blues worked together to denysome exceptional plays from the Bolts in the final minutes.
Lee, on a brilliant assist from Madison Bergman, gave the Blues an insurance goal. Ava Proctor and Mia Hyer provided solid play, while keeper Jordyn Kisilevich earned the shutout.