The quality of teams that come to Penticton for the Pacific Western Brewery May Classic soccer tournament always excites Dale Anderson.
With the 55th annual tournament being played Saturday and Sunday, the Penticton Soccer Club president said “I’m just looking forward to a really good weekend of good weather and good soccer.”
Nineteen teams, nine men’s and 10 women’s squads will hit the pitch at Kings Park. The women’s recreation division features Metro Ford Celtic, the Pinnacle Reunion, Suncoasters, Sideline Caesars, TCOB and the Stunners. The women’s open division has Williams Lake, the Murray GM Pinnacles, Langley Extreme and the Koots Ball Busters, assembled by former Maggie Mustangs product Shayla Hearne, daughter of Kevin Hearne, who was involved with the PSC. The Ball Busters will feature some university-level players.
“I think they are going to be really good to watch,” said Anderson of the women’s open division.
The men’s division features the Poco Royals, West Coast FC, Penticton Cannery Brewzers, Ex Patriots FC, Legends, North Delta Pigs, Steveston Park Grads, Carlton FC and Langley FC. All the action on Saturday begins at 10 a.m. On Sunday, play resumes at 11 a.m. with the finals being played at 5 p.m. A beverage garden will be open during the tournament.
Pinnacles PCSL season opener
While not part of the tournament as in past years, the Penticton Pinnacles men’s team opens its Pacific Coast Soccer League season Saturday against the Mid-Island Mariners at 7 p.m.
Anderson is excited as it will be the first test for the PSC squad, coached by Brazilian Cesar Ceppi.
“I’m hoping they can pull off a win for the home crowd,” said Anderson.
“I hope we will be a good surprise,” said Ceppi during a training session at Kings Park this week. “We had a long time to work. I think my team is ready. We have good warriors here. These guys are really intelligent players.”
Ceppi wants his team to play a compact style and be strong. He also wants to see the players use their smarts to control the game.
“You don’t try crazy things,” he said. “Play simple, play together and as a team.”
The offensive responsibilities fall on the shoulders of Orlando Ricketts, newcomer Felipe Lopes Zanutel of Brazil and Enzo Paal, who played for the Pinnacles in 2014. Find full story at www.pentictonwesternnews.com.
Ceppi knows Zanutel when he coached him in Brazil on a U13 team. Ceppi described Zanutel, 18, as a good player, who doesn’t score a lot, but has the ability to create space for his teammates.
Zanutel is excited to make his Pinnacles debut and said if he gets playing time, he intends to play very hard. Zanutel likes the makeup of the group and said his new teammates have been welcoming. While Ceppi said that Zanutel doesn’t score a lot, the youngster said he brings the ability to finish and more.
“I’m very fast,” he said. “I like skills.”