PROVINCIAL SOCCER WRAP: Perkins powers U17 Selects to 1-0 Provincial win; U13s shutout by Saanich Fusion; Wheeldon lifts Selects; North Van rolls past U16 Boys; U14 Girls shutout by Langley
By The Nelson Daily Sports
Midfielder Ethan Perkins scored the lone goal of the game sparking the Nelson Selects to a 1-0 victory over Juan de Fuca in the U17 Boy’s Division at the Les Sinnott Memorial Boy’s Provincial Cup Soccer Tournament Thursday in Prince George.
The game was the first of the four-game round robin for the Selects.
Cole Sutherland played flawless in net to register the shutout.
The Selects now meet Williams Lake Storm at 3 p.m. Friday.
Saturday Nelson concludes the preliminary round with games at noon against Vernon United and 4 p.m. against Terrace.
The top two teams meet for the gold medal while the third-and-fourth-place finishers play for the bronze.
Second-half explosion sinks U16 Selects
In other Nelson action, the U16 boys dropped a 4-1 decision to North Vancouver Fury.
The game was scoreless in the first 39 minutes when North Van scored in final minute of first half to grab a 1-0 lead at recess.
The Lower Mainland squad then scored three times in the first 20 minutes of the second half to put the game away.
James Miller scored the lone marker for Nelson late in the match.
The U16 Selects play Williams Lake Storm Friday before finishing up against Williams Lake Saturday.
U13 Boys run into Saanich steamroller
Saanich Fusion scored early and often en route to a 5-0 victory over Nelson Selects in U13 Boys Division action Thursday at the Les Sinnott Memorial Boy’s Provincial Cup Soccer Tournament in Prince George.
Saanich Fusion is the top seed in Pool B and the silver medalists in 2013 Coastal Cup.
“The boys played reasonably well (there are) some areas that could be improved on, of course, but were beaten 5-0 by a very good team,” said Nelson coach Kerry Dyck.
“I didn’t feel they were really any more talented than our boys, but they were able to “think” the game much faster than our boys, and as a result were a step ahead for much of the game.”
Bradey Sookero and Blake Markin Hellekson, who shared the goal tending duties, each played very well, denying our opponents on numerous other scoring chances.
Ezra Foy and Jaden Dyck were both solid in center midfield, forcing the opponents to play out to the wings for much of the game.
Nelson is back on the pitch Friday at 4 p.m. against the Williams Lake Storm.
Saturday, the Selects finish the round robin with a 10 a.m. contest against Island Rep, LYS United.
U16 Selects squeak out 1-0 win
Jenna Wheeldon scored the only goal of the game lifting the Nelson Selects to a narrow 1-0 victory over CMFSC Black Ice in U16 Girl’s Division action at the B.C. Soccer Provincial B Cup Thursday in North Vancouver.
True to form, the Selects relied on solid defensive work and great goalkeeping from Katie Bow to open the tournament with a victory.
The Selects now meet Williams Lake Storm Friday at 3 p.m. before concluding the preliminary round Saturday against Prospect Lake Lakers of Vancouver Island.
Nelson U14 Girls shutout by Langley
Langley took advantage of an off day by the Nelson Selects to score a 2-0 victory in in U14 Girl’s Division action at the B.C. Soccer Provincial B Cup Thursday in North Vancouver.
“Today we were rusty. We didn’t play our best,” said Chris Butterfield of the U14s.
Langley scored its first goal on a nice cross from the left wing. A scramble of sorts ensued in front of the Nelson goal before one of the central strikers poked it home.
The second goal came from a corner kick that was misplayed by our keeper and defense. Again a scramble in the six yard box resulted with a goal from the scramble.
Nelson plays Prince George Kodiaks Friday at 3 p.m. before playing its final round robin game Saturday at 1 p.m. against the Powell River Surge.
