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U15 Selects 'battle to the end attitude' earns squad Silver Medal

The Nelson Daily Sports
By The Nelson Daily Sports
July 9th, 2019

Nelson Youth Soccer added another medal to its trophy case after the U15 Selects finished second overall at the BC Soccer Les Sinnott Memorial Boys B Cup Sunday in Prince George.

Nelson dropped a 2-0 decision to Vernon United in the U15 Boy’s Final, but still came away with the silver medal at the provincial tournament in Central BC.

“This is a group that committed themselves to each other and proved that determination and teamwork can lead to results that are not expected,” said U15 coach Joe Chirico.

“We are talented but our battle to the end attitude in every game won the Silver.”

“I am proud of their accomplishment,” Chirico added.

The run to the medal did not have a very positive start for the Selects. Powell River scored in the opening minute of the game en route to a 2-0 victory over Nelson.

“The team was caught by surprise by a long throw-in and gave up the first goal within minutes of kick off,” Chirico explained.

Facing a must-win game to remain in contention for a spot in the medal round, Nelson faced SMB Spartans from South Burnaby.

The Lower Mainland squad opened the scoring in the first half before the Selects rallied for two second-half markers to steal a 2-1 victory.

Levi Taylor tied the game on a perfectly executed set piece before Milo Klein scored on a breakaway with minutes remaining in the contest.

Nelson’s result combined with Terrace scoring a 4-1 upset win over Power River left all teams tied in pool play with 1-1 records, setting the stage for an exciting final day of the round robin draw.

The Selects took care of business Saturday, routing Terrace 3-2 with a two-goal second half.

After Nelson keeper Matteo Chirico made the save of the game 10 minutes into the contest, stretching across the goal to thwart a Terrace attempt, Fisher Greenaway scored as the teams exchanged first half markers.

Ryder Skolka snapped the tie with a blistering shot off a free kick from 25 yards away from goal. Jake Marshall increased the margin to 3-1 scoring a header off from a set piece feed from Skolka.

Terrace added another goal on a penalty kick Nelson keeper Matteo Chirico had no chance of stopping.

The win, combined with a 2-1 victory by South Burnaby over Powell River, gave Nelson the Pool title by virtue of the earlier win over the Lower Mainland squad.

In the final, Vernon United scored in each half to edge the Selects for the Gold Medal.

Nelson had its chances in the final against the Okanagan squad. However, Klein was stopped by the Vernon keeper on two great opportunities during the game.

Nelson advanced to the Les Sinnott Memorial Boys B Cup in June thanks to a late marker by Dylan Moynes in the final minutes of the Kootenay qualifying match against Kootenay East, which allowed the Selects to capture a 1-0 victory.

Other Nelson Youth Soccer Results:

At Prince George Les Sinnott Memorial Boys B Cup:

  • Nelson U13 Selects lost 1-0 to Prince George in consolation round action. Nelson finished winless during round robin draw.
  • U17 Selects finished winless during round robin draw.

At Burnaby BC Soccer Provincial Girls B Tournament:

  • U13 Selects lost to Prince George 2-1 to place sixth overall. Nelson defeated Quesnel Selects in round robin play to finished 1-2.
  • U14 Selects also took sixth overall with a 2-1 loss to Shuswap in Consolation Round play of the Provincial B Girls Cup. Nelson registered draws against Kamloops Blaze and Prince George to finish round robin with a 0-1-2 record.
  • Nelson U17 Girls defeated CAU Snipers to conclude round robin draw with a 1-2 record.

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