Nelson U16 Boys rally to capture Provincial B Cup Bronze Medal
By The Nelson Daily Sports
Nelson Youth Soccer claimed more hardware at the BC Soccer Les Sinnott Provincial B Cup tournament when the U16 Boy’s captured the bronze medal with a thrilling 3-2 extra-time victory over Prince George Sunday in Vernon.
The U18 Selects won the silver medal at the BC Soccer Provincial B Girl’s Cup Sunday in Surrey while the U14 Boys took bronze, also in Vernon.
Keegan Carmichael scored in the second half of overtime, blasting a rebound into the vacant net to power the Selects to the victory.
Carmichael was in prime position score the marker after Ira Cristofoli-Couling beat two Prince George defenders to the wide side of the pitch before driving a hard shot the keeper was unable to corral.
“This was an incredible effort by the entire team, required because of the 30-plus degree conditions playing four games in four days,” said head coach Kevin Carmichael.
The game was a rematch between the two interior teams after Prince George stuck it to Nelson 2-0 at the Kamloops tournament during the spring.
Nelson held a 1-0 advantage early in the second half after team captain Max Spielman was able to collect his own rebound to score the game’s opening goal.
Prince George scored twice in short span of time to take a 2-1 lead.
However, Nelson was able to tie the game when Moss Caney provided a brilliant cross Cristofoli-Couling was able to knock into the net.
Nelson opened the tournament with a 3-2 come-from-behind win over Bays United of Victoria.
The win was one for the archives as Nelson trailed 2-0 at halftime before staging the rally.
Caney scored twice, including one from the penalty spot, to pull Nelson even.
Fynn Keywood then capped the three-goal explosion to spark the Selects to victory.
The Selects dropped a 3-1 decision to Coquitlam before bouncing back Saturday, scoring a lopsided 4-0 decision over Vernon United to secure a berth in the medal round game.
Ryder Marzicola, outstanding all weekend, earned the shutout in goal for Nelson.
