Bombers finish in the medals, score bronze at 16-team Summerland Rockets Tournament in South Okanagan
By The Nelson Daily Sports
By Bruce Fuhr
The Nelson Daily Sports
The L.V. Rogers Bombers tuned up for the upcoming Kootenay AAA playoffs by registering a bronze medal during the 16-team Summerland Rockets High School Boy’s Soccer Tournament last week in the South Okanagan.
The Bombers rode the scoring of Luis Loeschnik, Trace Cooke and Ryan Lewis to dump North Peace of Fort St. John 3-1 in the consolation final Friday in Summerland.
“I’m very pleased with all the players and impressed that the boys are starting to play the system implemented and it is paying off,” said Bomber coach Jamie Spendlove.
Spendlove took over the coaching duties of the Bombers after longtime coach Keith Williams retired.
“Even with such a young team they are doing more than fine especially with at least two Grade 9s —Ryan Lewis and Nick Wethal — (who are) starting in games,” Spendlove added.
After losing to Guildford Park of Surrey in semi final action 3-1, the Bombers were able to bounce back against the Northern squad
North Peace got on the scoreboard five minutes into the game forcing the Bombers to take note.
LVR tied the game when Loeschnik scored a screamer of a shot into the far top corner from the left side.
The Bombers got a break when Trace Cooke caught the North Peace keeper off his goal line, drifting a 40-yard shot into the far side of the net. The goal gave LVR a 2-1 halftime lead.
LVR controlled most of the second half giving keeper Cole Sutherland not much work between the pipes.
The final goal for LVR came from the penalty spot after Lewis was fouled in the box.
“A special mention to Grade 9 midfielder Dylan Bennett, who stepped into a holding midfield position filling the big shoes of (injured) Simon Sheppard quite nicely,” Spendlove said.
LVR., losing to the Nelson Innkeepers in the final of the Leo’s Men’s Open
City Soccer League, advanced to the playoff round by sweeping division action with wins over Summerland, 1-0, Prince Charles Comets of Creston, 2-1, and Kelowna Secondary Owls, 1-0.
Greg Syvertson scored the lone goal for LVR against Summerland while Loeschnik and Lewis rallied the Bombers past the Comets.
During a hard-fought game against KSS, Lewis scored the lone goal of the game.
The 3-0 mark put the Bombers up against a tough Guildford Park squad.
The Bombers had some great chances early to put the pressure on the Fraser Valley team but squandered chances by Cooke and senior Mitch Melanson allowed Guilford to take over the match.
Danny Rodman scored the only goal for LVR from inside the box.
“The boys are looking forward to the next few weeks where they will be playing friendly games against Trail and Creston, and finally the Provincial play down game against Cranbrook at home,” Spendlove explained.
A win in the Kootenay Final and this young group of Bombers advance to the B.C. High School Boy’s AAA Soccer Championships November 24-26 in Burnaby.
The 2010 tournament had to be postponed when snow blanketed the Lower Mainland forcing cancellation. The tournament was played in June.
Date and time of the Kootenay Final has yet to be determined.
sports@thenelsondaily.com
