Kelowna United teams capture 4 medals, 2 gold at provincials

Under-17 boys and U14 girls crowned champions

The Kelowna United soccer teams finished off a great season by winning four medals at Provincial B Championships this past weekend.

The under-14 girls (Watson) and U17 boys brought home gold, while the U16 boys earned silver and the U16 girls won bronze.

The U18 girls finished fourth following a hard-fought battle for bronze.

U17 BOYS

KU’s under-17 boys team was undefeated during the four-day provincial tournament, tying their opening game 4-4 against CCB Akal before beating SBMC United 5-0, NVF Surge 1-0 and VUFC Santos 3-2 in the final.

Against CCB Akal, Kelowna United got two goals from Shawn Kostiuk and singles from James Wiebe and Thomas Jaklis.

Against SBMC United, Parm Parmar scored twice for KU, with the other goals coming courtesy of Jaklis, Joseph Wright and Riley Neal.

Against NVF Surge, Kostiuk netted the lone goal that stood up as the winner for KU.

In Sunday’s championship match, KU answered the two goals scored by Vancouver United FC Santos to drive the game into extra time and penalty kicks.

Kostiuk scored to put KU into overtime, with Chris Van Den Heuvel scoring in the last minute of OT. Parmar, Jaklis and Jonah Donahue scored on penalty shots with Tallan Freh making an awesome save to deny Vancouver’s fourth shooter. A final goal by Kostiuk sealed the win and the first-place finish for Kelowna.

U14 GIRLS

KU’s under-14 girls also saved their best for last in running the table at provincials by defeating Williams Lake 4-1, Cowichan Valley 2-1, Vancouver Athletic Venom 2-0 and the North Shore Interceptors 3-1 in their championship match of the eight-team tournament held in Kamloops.

The Kelowna United Storm entered as the runner-up from the TOYSL Division.

Game 1 was played in very hot conditions against Williams Lake. KU came out of the gate strong and led 3-0 at the half en route to the 4-1 victory.

Game 2 was against the Vancouver Island champs, Cowichan Valley. In a hard-fought match, KU prevailed 2-1.

Game 3 against the Coastal Vancouver Athletic Venom saw KU post a 2-0 shutout to advance to Sunday’s final against last year’s provincial champion, North Shore.

The final was played in perfect conditions, with both teams generating some chances but strong goalkeeping kept it scoreless at halftime.

Kelowna struck early in the second half, but North Shore replied right away to make it 1-1.

With about 15 minutes left, Kelowna got a second goal and moments later notched a third in a goal-mouth scramble from a superb corner kick cross from Hailey Kristiansen Yeulett to put the game out of North Shore’s reach.

U16 BOYS

KU’s under-16 boys settled for silver after falling 1-0 in overtime to Greater Vancouver United in the championship match.

Kelowna United reached the final on the strength of two wins and a tie.

KU opened with a 3-0 victory over Nelson Selects thanks to two goals from Brett Martin and one from Zack MacInnes.

KU then blanked the Prince George Timberwolves 4-0, with Josh Clancy netting all four goals for Kelowna.

Game 3 saw KU battle to a 2-2 draw against the Terrace Selects, getting goals from Martin and Ethan Kersche.

U16 GIRLS

KU’s under-16 girls won bronze by edging the Nelson Selects 3-2 in the third-place game after previously posting two ties and a win to start the tournament.

Kelowna tied Juan de Fuca 2-2 in its opener and later drew 1-1 with the Kamloops Blaze, while downing Surrey United 1-0 in its second game.

Against Juan de Fuca, KU didn’t have much luck in striking four posts and also having two goals called back.

Despite dominating play, KU could only manage to erase a two-goal deficit to draw the Island representative.

Goal-scorers for Kelowna were Kaley Krivoshein and Macalle White, assisted by White and Lindsay Notte.

Against Surrey, KU put forth a determined effort in limiting its opponent to one shot on goal, but Kelowna only converted one of its chances with White getting the goal, assisted by Notte.

With first place and a trip to the final on the line, the third game proved to be another Thompson-Okanagan classic.

Kamloops struck first on a set piece, but Kelowna answered within three minutes as Chloe Howe scored on a set-up from Notte. Despite numerous chances, Kelowna was not able to net a go-ahead goal.

The game finished in a draw, and due the tournament’s tie-breaking procedures, Kamloops moved on to the gold-medal game.

In the bronze-medal match, Kelowna fell behind early to Nelson, but quickly drew even. A perfectly-placed set-piece goal put KU ahead 2-1 at the half.

Both teams added second-half goals, but Kelowna was able to hang on for a 3-2 win.

Goal-scorers were Howe, Payton Ward, and White, assisted by Sophia Millikin and Notte.