A pair of 2-0 wins have improved the Penticton Pinnacles under-21 women’s team to 3-1-1 in Pacific Coast Soccer League action.
Just like in Saturday’s win against the Fraser Valley Action, Anika Nystrom netted the opening goal, which proved to be the winner. The insurance marker came from Mila Miller.
Pinnacles coach Ray Hintz wants to see his offense improve as that is his main concern early in the season.
“We’re creating chances, but not really good chances,” said Hintz. “We’re relying on defensive play right now.”
Hintz had Mary Kampman coach the team on Sunday as he was committed to coaching another team. While he was able to catch the final 20 minutes of the game, Kampman told Hintz they played well and took control of the game.
“I think our players that came off the bench did an outstanding job,” he said. “We’re starting to move the ball around a lot better. It seems that every time we get out, we’re improving every time.”
Against the Action on Saturday, Hintz said his team was “scrambly” most of the first half. The Action had possession in the Pinnacles zone but only managed to generate a handful of chances. Nystrom and Crystal Schuder both capitalized on rushes to the net in which they beat the goal keeper on long shots.
Hintz said that the players’ conditioning can still improve, as can their ball control.
“I thought we are getting better every time out,” said Hintz. “We are getting better in understanding what we are supposed to do on and off the ball.”
Hintz said he felt the Action played well with the young, fast group they have.
The Pinnacles travel to the Lower Mainland to play the North Shore Girls Soccer Club Stars on Saturday.
Under-21 men’s
Two-goal efforts by Andrew Stevenson and Randy Hubber lifted the Pinnacles to a 5-1 victory over Kelowna United FC in Kelowna on Sunday. The win also improves their record in the Reserve Division of the Pacific Coast Soccer League to 2-1-3.
Coach Paulo Araujo liked that his group played as a team.
“One of the things that we’re really trying to focus on is possession,” said Araujo. “I thought we did really well. We had possession for 65 to 70 per cent of the time.”
The offensive explosion was also nice for the coach to see since the Pinnacles have only scored more than a goal once and that was in a 4-1 win over Chilliwack FC.
“We actually should have scored a few more,” he said. “Hopefully that brings up our confidence. We can continue putting some in the net.”
Araujo said they have been working on their attacking third to improve offence and in that game it came together.
With a roster mixed with youth and veterans, Araujo has been pleased with his teams results.
Among the players impressing so far is captain Wyatt Seddon Johnstone, Robin Whittaker, Andrew Stevenson and James Taylor.
Now the Pinnacles just want to build off of their weekend. Their next game is at home at Kings Park at 5 p.m. Saturday against the Mid Isle Highlanders FC.