Penticton women win May Classic

Hinz leads local ladies to the tournament title

Sixteen teams suited up for the 57th edition of the Pacific Western Brewery May Classic soccer tournament on the Victoria Day long weekend.

The women’s side of the tournament was dominated by the Penticton Soccer Club as Ray Hintz showed again why he is one of B.C.’s best amateur coaches in the sport.

The PSC women played great all the way through the tournament and had an excellent semifinal against Calgary Tsumani Blues, who play in Premier Division in Calgary. The only shot on the Penticton net was a converted penalty kick as Penticton prevailed 3-1.

PSC played a Vancouver Division 1 team, the Shotgunners in the final on Murray GM Field and won handily 5-1.

On the men’s side, local city league team Murray GM All-Stars made the B Final and beat a new team to the tournament, West Kootenay No Stars 2-1. The All-Stars got the winning goal to break the tie in the 80th minute.

The tournament this year had two new teams — one from North Van called Van City FC — and they made the A final and played against a long-time team that had never been to the final, StarBoys.

The game went through overtime and a shootout tied 2-2. In the shootout, both goalies made one save until Starboys won it in the seventh round.

The Penticton Tim Horton Pinnacles played very well on the weekend and lost a very tight semifinal match to Starboys 2-1.

This tournament is never able to be run without volunteers and sponsorship.

This year, treasurer Pat Conway really stepped up running the beverage garden and he had help from volunteers like Terry Peach, Rod Siegrist, Linda and Norene Conway, not to forget directors Karin Crowley and Pierre Levesque.

Organizers also extend appreciation to sponsors AllsWell Security, Pacific Western Brewery, Murray GM, Tim Hortons, Soccer X.com and Lake Breeze Winery.