Morning Star Staff
Those new orange and black jerseys seem to suit Vernon Kal Tire just fine.
The defending Kelowna Tree Brewing Men’s 35+ Soccer League champions donned their new kits and won their second game in a row Thursday night, 3-0 over Alves Bros of Kelowna.
Former high school hoop star Mark Zaino collected a well-earned clean sheet at MacDonald Park.
Jeff Nice called play 1516 twice for Vernon, one to start the scoring off his head from Mark Budgen.
A few minutes later, Nice was the mailman, finding the head of Ryan Sharp to make it 2-0 at 20 minutes for the 2-0-2 Tiremen.
Late in the first half, Alves forward Kyle Bilinski only had Zaino to beat but Zaino won the battle.
In the second half, Jesse Knight worked his way around one defender and fired a hard shot off a defender’s back for the deflection in the net.
Zaino, using his Westwood electric energy, cleared a few crosses with the confidence of a veteran. Dynamic defence was turned in by Dave Dobernigg, Graeme Magee, Sharp, Pedro Garro, Jason Beck and returning veteran Damian Adams.
Meanwhile, Wolfgang Bopp pulled the hat trick as the Silver Stars smothered Kelowna Vintage 8-0 in Okanagan 55+ league play at MacDonald Park.
Mark Wasylyk supplied a deuce, while singles came from Uwe Wolters, Colin Greveling and Steve McCourt. The Stars are 3-0-1.
West Kelowna schooled Vernon Kal Tire 5-1 at Rosewood Park.
Roadrunner Chris Butlin scored twice, while speedy Tony Gonzalez, Darryl Hazel and Mark Rothery contributed singles for West Kelowna, looking a lot like their entry known as Brown Benefits in the 45+ league.
Central midfielder Donnie Brown went around Tiremen defenders like they were Hudson Bay mannequins most of the night, earning the Capri Hotel Man of the Match for West Kelowna.
Glen Jones unleashed a left-footed corker low to the corner for the Tiremen, levelling things at 1-1 just before the half. Central midfielder Jim Sparrow drew the assist.
Outside midfielder Bob Fleming ran at least half a 10-k race and took the Okanagan Landing Plaza Man of the Match for Kal Tire (2-1-1).
n Sir Winston’s Attack claimed a 3-2 victory over Collaborate Wellness in North Okanagan Women’s Soccer Association Division 2 play Thursday night at Marshall Field.
Red Robin Player of the Match for the Attack went to Tricia Therrien, who despite playing with two fractured ribs, toughed it out for a beauty of a goal.
Striker Brandi Wejr’s tenacity paid off when after yet another drive for net, she buried it with authority. Brianna Thalheimer, always the stalwart sweeper for Sir Winston’s, recorded a beautiful goal of her own from well outside the 18.
Keeper Celine Conly dove her way to a shutout in the first half, while Azra Cawley made some lovely saves in the second.
Collaborate’s La Senza Lady of the Match went to Waverly Vanderveen, who played an aggressive first half in net and showed an upbeat attitude in the final 40.
Rookie phenom Megan McCreight and feisty central midfielder Amanda Penner both connected from in tight for Collaborate.
The Wellness ladies sorely missed Annie Brunelle, who pulled a muscle in the first 10 minutes but stayed to lend vocal support.
The Rockstars finally played a full game and brushed back Do-itt Drywall Mudsharks 4-1.
The Rockstars had a bye last week and a match called by lightning the week before.
Sherah Grant, Leah Willinger, Leah Hildebrandt and Tessa Hartnell counted snipes for the Rockstars.
Ashley Smith and Liane Leger shared net duties and sparkled. The back line was held sweetly by Sylvie Richard and Lindsay Smith, making for nice transitions.
Bryanna Cole levelled the score at 1-1 with a corker top cheddar.