UPDATED: Selects future looks ever so bright after silver medal showing at Provincial B Cup in Kelowna
By The Nelson Daily Sports
The future’s so bright; the Nelson Selects had better wear shades.
The Nelson Selects won the silver medal at the B.C. Soccer Provincial B U14 Girl’s Tournament Sunday in Kelowna.
The Reps lost 5-0 in the final to the Powell River Cobras in the final.
But that did not take away from the tremendous accomplishment of the Nelson Youth Soccer squad.
“Winning Silver at the Provincial B Cup is an enormous achievement for the Nelson squad,” said coach Paul Burkart, assisted by Pat Perkins.
“After losing their first game, this team could have just given up.
“Instead they came back and played two terrific games which earned them a place in the finals.”
After opening with a 1-0 loss to Sur-Del United Thursday, the Selects posted a pair of wins to sneak into the tournament championship game.
Nelson blasted Quesnel Strikers 3-0 before knocking off first-place holder Tsawwassen Blues 3-1 during the final round robin game Saturday.
Darian Voisard and Bronwyn Sutherland gave Nelson a 2 – 0 lead against Quesnel before Naomi Perkins added a marker to make the score 3 – 0.
Against Tsawwassen, the coastal squad scored a penalty kick to take the early lead.
Voisard tied the game 1 – 1 with Perkins neting the eventual winner.
Voisard gave Nelson some insurance with her second of the game.
The results lifted the Selects on to the final with a better goal differential — plus 4.
The silver medal culminated a great season of the pitch for the U14s.
Not only did the squad capture the Terry Walgren tourney but the Selects also won the Sam Steele Tournament in Cranbrook and finished second in Coeur d’ Alene.
“We are extremely proud of the team’s performance this entire season,” Burkard explained.
“Playing in a total of six tournaments, the squad brought home three gold and two silver medals.”
“And the best part for us is that they did it with such class, and such a great attitude, both on and off the field – they are such good friends and this will be an experience they will share for the rest of their lives,” Burkart added.
Nelson was awarded the Fairplay award, voted on by the game officials.
Nelson U13s seventh, U15s sixth
After winning every post & crossbar game during the tournament, the Nelson Selects finally found the net in the consolation round.
The Selects blasted Terrace Kermodeis 7-1 Sunday in the B.C. Soccer Provincial B Cup U13 girl’s tournament in Kelowna.
During three round robin games the Selects managed only one marker, losing 1-0 to Chilliwack Attack, 3-1 to Williams Lake Storm and 5-0 to CCB United.
But in the final contest of the tourney, the Selects exploded to score a handful of goals.
Meanwhile, the U15s dropped a 3-1 decision to Vernon United in consolation round action Sunday.
Nelson, 1-1-1, entered the contest, on a roll after scoring a 2-0 shutout of Comox Valley Aftershocks.
However, the record was not good enough to power the Selects into the medal round as Prince George Kodiaks edged Nelson on goal differential.
Nelson finished a minus-1 while Prince George was plus-2.
Nelson opened the tourney with a 3-0 loss to CMFSC Black Ice before playing to a scoreless tie against Prince George Kodiaks.
