Okanagan FC PCSL

Okanagan FC made their way down to the coast this past weekend to face off against Surrey United SC on Saturday and TSS on Sunday. Carrying only 12 players the travel and depleated bench made it for a tough weekend in which OFC dropped both games 3-0 to Surrey and 4-0 to TSS.

With several athletes celebrating their grad weekend Okanagan FC had to make the journey down to the coast with just one subsitute. Although the extra game time was welcome it was hard playing a back to back series with two solid teams. Surrey United SC was first to take a bite out of the OFC 2 game unbeaten streak as they fielded a team with former national team player Katie Thorlakson. Surrey dominated the match from the starting whistle as OFC struggled to find their legs and adjust to the grass. Giving up 6 corners in the first 20 minutes OFC was bending but did not break and managed to keep the score sheet clean. It wasn’t until 25 minutes into the match that OFC setted into the game and had some good spells when they knocked the ball around quickly and created some chances of their own. However, it was Surrey who notched the first goal of the game from a great strike outside the 18. Surrey would captialize twice more before the end of the game claiming the 3-0 win.

Sunday against TSS (who have just come off a victory vs Whitecaps Prospects) OFC was a little more battered and bruised but they were gunning for a good game seeing that they would be playing against UBC Okanagan teammate Jennifer Kidd. TSS played a strong possession game and were extremely threating up from with U17 National team player Summer Clarke. This speedy, skillful striker was a handful for the OFC defense as she could turn on a dime and rip shots. TSS found the back of the net 10 minutes into the match as they broke through and beat OFC gk short side. Marissa Klees had one of Okanagan FC’s best chances in the first half as she fired a shot that beat the TSS goalkeeper but not the post. TSS continued with their stong play and found the back of the net again before the half. In second half OFC broke through a few times and were awarded corners but they were unable to really test the TSS goalkeeper. As legs began to tire the game opened up more for the home team and TSS got two more goals befor the final whistle winning the match 4-0.

“It is always hard playing when you have a shorter bench and no one enjoys giving up points as we are all very competitive. However,we were up against some fantastic players this weekend which really stretched us and forced us out of our comfort zone. This is an important learning opportunity for us as we strive to improve our own play.” Claire