Vernon United VUB posted two Thompson Okanagan Under 12 Boys Rep Soccer League wins over Kelowna and Pentiction at McArthur Island Park in Kamloops.
Jerome Winter pulled the hat trick and Mitchell Bond bagged a deuce as United shelled Kelowna 7-1 with Mac Sorochuk recording multiple diving saves in net. Defensive specialist Horatio Andow added a single before feeding Luca Ariano for the final United goal
Vernon then dispatched Penticton Pinnacles 5-2 in a fast-paced match with Penticton converting at one minute. Vernon regrouped and Bond tied it before Ariano and Kailen Russell worked together to hit Cameron Acob for a nice finish. Eric Anderson, Winter and Russell rang up goals in the second half.
Exceptional effort and contribution came from from Josh Mark, James Richardson and Russell, who manned the defensive line. Rowan Calder demonstrated the same efforts in midfield, challenging the defence and keeper with constant pressure. Sorochuk came out of his net to confidently challenge several shots.
United VUZ U12s had a tough weekend in Kamloops, falling 4-1 to Kelowna W and 7-4 to Kelowna D.
Vernon started strong in Game 1 with a beautiful goal at 25 minutes by Jentenzen Peterson, assists coming from Kaden O’Connor, Edward Scott and Josh Donison.
Kelowna stormed back in the second half to record four goals, while United got nice attempts from Hunter Schindel and Ethan Anderson. Good defence came from Blake Beaton, Chase Cedarholm and Rowan Smith. Lucas Holtz and Jonas McMeeking-Walsh worked hard up front in support of a stellar Dillon Rinkel.
After a delicious picnic lunch, the boys fell behind Kelowna D 5-0 at the half with Rinkel diving all over the place to keep things interesting.
Blake Beaton took the keeper gloves in the second half with Vernon showing a lot of grit. A centering pass from Donison was skillfully headed in by Peterson for Vernon’s first goal. Donison fed Peterson for Vernon’s second and Anderson set up Peterson beautifully for his hat trick. Kelowna responded with two more before keeper Beaton booted a long ball upfield for Peterson to finish.
In U14 Boys play Sunday at MacDonald Park, Vernon and Kelowna battled to a 2-2 draw.
Kelowna was awarded a penalty kick in the seventh minute and they converted past keeper Diego Glanz.
Vernon started a great push upfield one minute later as Owen Davis put a great cross into the box with Aston Kamaryk getting a touch on the ball before Ethan Greenan connected.
Vernon kept the intensity high with more chances and some huge defensive plays. Highlight was Ty Bartel making a sliding save on a sure goal.
The duo of Davis and Greenan combined again in the second half with Greenan netting his second goal for the Vernon lead. Kelowna levelled the score 20 minutes into the half.
Cole Ogasawara, Chris Reinhardt and Cole Gervatt enjoyed stellar outings.
Vernon coach Rick Ogasawara gave props to his entire squad, noting: “they are starting to hit their stride.”